7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A razor-wielding psycho stalks an American horror writer in Italy.
Starring: Anthony Franciosa, Christian Borromeo, Mirella D'Angelo, Veronica Lario, Ania PieroniHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 51% |
Mystery | 23% |
Thriller | 10% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
One of the most important visionaries of the giallo genre, director Dario Argento was in a particularly tight spot career-wise when he decided to make 1982’s “Tenebrae.” After experiencing a global hit with 1977’s “Suspiria,” which moved his creative interests toward the supernatural, Argento hit a brick wall with the atmospheric thematic sequel, 1980’s “Inferno.” Lacking forward momentum professionally, Argento returned to his roots with “Tenebrae,” finding himself back in command of a murder mystery that emphasizes violence, playing to his strengths as a stylish conductor of hellzapoppin’ goodies. Overseeing evil and mounting paranoia, Argento goes into self-examination mode as well, emerging with an intriguingly personal take on nightmarish events, dissecting his career and mental health while delivering all the bloodshed fans could want.
Building their own HD version (from the original camera negative) of "Tenebrae," Synapse delivers an exceptional viewing experience, rescuing the picture from decades of subpar releases. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is bright and sharp, providing a detailed look at design achievements, offering crisp set decoration and distances. Facial textures offer defined reactions, while the effort's ample display of skin is open for study. Costuming remains fibrous. Colors are managed perfectly, refreshed tastefully, with wonderful primaries that bring out period fashion choices and, of course, bold, bloody reds. Skintones are natural. Delineation is comfortable through, never solidifying frame information. Grain is fine and filmic. The source is lovingly tended to, without damage.
As sharp and sure as the viewing event is for "Tenebrae," its aural presentation is just as tight. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a satisfying frontal push to carry suspense and stylistic need, finding real power with scoring cues, offering exact instrumentation and tasteful placement to open up the movie, adding to its intensity. Dialogue exchanges are secure, handling dubbing without pushing the inherent artificiality of the voices. Atmospherics are true, supplying fullness to the track, while sound effects retain their slice and dice intent. No damage is detected.
"Tenebrae" has a few missteps, but nothing breaks the picture's spirit. Flashbacks to an initially unidentified encounter with a shadowy woman on a beach play into the psychological framework of the movie, but fail to inspire much of a reaction, carrying on for too long. True to Argento's sometimes iffy way with storytelling, character relationships aren't always defined to satisfaction, taking time for personalities to gel while the story is well under way. Quibbles are there, but the effort is strong enough to bypass them, investing in twisted turns of plot that toy with identity and motivation. The feature even monkeys around with its own madman, altering malicious perspective with such extreme subtlety, it may take a few viewings to catch the magic trick. "Tenebrae" doesn't have the sheer force of "Suspiria" or the delicious disease of "Deep Red," but it's easily one of Argento's best films, showcasing his skill with games of murder and fragmented mental states.
Black Label Exclusive #1 / ASEO
1982
Black Label Exclusive #1 / QUILTFACE
1982
Black Label Exclusive #1 / DARK INKER
1982
Limited Edition to 3000
1982
Limited Edition of 2000/ “Unsane” US Cut included/ Synapse Films & DiabolikDVD Exclusive
1982
1982
Standard Edition
1982
Profondo rosso | Special Edition
1975
L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo | Remastered
1970
1980
Il gatto a nove code | Remastered
1971
Standard Edition
1985
Sei donne per l'assassino
1964
Non ho sonno | Standard Edition
2001
4 mosche di velluto grigio
1971
I corpi presentano tracce di violenza carnale / Carnal Violence
1973
Reazione a catena
1971
Le foto di Gioia / Slipcover in Original Pressing
1987
Mil gritos tiene la noche | Remastered | Limited Edition Puzzle to 3000
1982
Special Edition | La morte cammina con i tacchi alti
1971
Standard Edition
1987
Featuring The Girl Who Knew Too Much / La ragazza che sapeva troppo
1963
Cosa avete fatto a Solange?
1972
1977
Giallo in Venice / Giallo a Venezia
1979
Limited Edition | La sindrome di Stendhal
1996
Il cartaio
2004