Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Tenebrae Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 4, 2016

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.

A successful author of suspense novels, Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) has traveled from America to Italy to promote his latest work, joined by literary agent Bullmer (John Saxon) and assistant Anne (Daria Nicolodi). While settling into his new surroundings, Peter is informed by Detective Giermani (Giuliano Gemma) that an obsessed fan is using inspiration culled from the writer’s violent work to execute a series of murders. Unsure what’s provoked this savagery, while keeping tabs on vindictive ex-wife Jane (Veronica Lario), Peter takes time away from a rather tempestuous tour with local media types, including admirer Berti (John Steiner), to figure out the facts of the case, hoping to uncover the killer before he returns to action, claiming more innocent victims.

While presented as a straightforward whodunit, “Tenebrae” isn’t a traditional blend of motivation and mayhem. Employing elements of Argento’s real-world experiences with journalistic condemnation of misogyny and ultraviolence found in his films, the helmer uses Peter as a surrogate figure, tracking the author as he meets with the media to promote his book, only to come into contact with those who’d rather have the writer answer for his brutal imagery. It’s a thinly disguised summation of Argento’s experience, with influential descriptions of brutality inspiring the central rampage, finding Peter and the cops struggling with a surge of dead bodies as various women are sliced open by this black-gloved “Razor Killer.” “Tenebrae” is refreshingly aware of itself without devolving into camp, offering commentary on the giallo genre while still participating in it. Argento isn’t apologizing here, but he’s aware of his significance, managing a screenplay that’s equal parts therapy and madness.

Peter’s growing recognition of his deadly situation drives much of “Tenebrae,” but there’s also a celebration of horror construction. Working with tight editing and a few bravura shots, Argento arranges vivid murders that pick off helpless types in modern Italy, including a warring lesbian couple and the daughter of Neal’s landlord, who ends up being chased by a ferocious dog through town. Endings are awful for the victims, but Argento keeps things dazzling with inventive framing and gorgeous style, squeezing death scenes for all their operatic potential. “Tenebre” is exceptionally well made, turning ugliness into art, identifying a director at the top of his powers, creating a return trip to the genre that kicked off his career, newly empowered by worldwide fame.

Aiding the raid is scoring by Goblin members Claudio Simonetti, Fabio Pignatelli, and Massimo Morante, who contribute a heavy synth mood to “Tenebrae,” adding sonic power to suspense and stalking sequences. Argento often allows the music to command the movie, lifting the effort off the ground with incredible urgency. It’s difficult to tell what the endeavor would’ve been like without the score, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as effective. Argento also scores with his casting, acquiring a suitably meaty lead actor in Franciosa, who has no problem selling the swagger of professional arrogance and sleuthing needs, committing to the loopy plot in full. And Nicolodi adds a lighter energy to the feature, also delivering moments of extreme shock. The ensemble finds their place without much fuss, but it’s clear from the outset that Argento’s style is the true star of “Tenebrae.” Thankfully, the human element of the picture isn’t completely washed away.

Tenebrae Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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.

Tenebrae Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film critic Maitland McDonagh.

• English Sequence Insert Shots are available via seamless branching.

• "Yellow Fever: The Rise and Fall of the Giallo" (89:24, HD) is a feature-length examination of the popular suspense genre, directed by Callum Waddell. Collecting interviews from some of the brightest analytical minds when it comes to giallo and its influences and inspirations, the documentary submits an engaging overview of creative highlights, with special emphasis on Dario Argento's filmography. The maestro himself participates in the conversation. "Yellow Fever" is a fluid and fun picture, and a proper education for those interested in giallo and its artful, exploitative history.

• Alternate Main Titles (2:15, HD) are offered.

• Alternate "Unsane" Closing Credits (1:53, HD) use Kim Wilde's "Take Me Tonight" to finish off the movie. Purists tend to scoff at this choice, but it's not all that inappropriate, giving the feature a pleasing synth-pop send-off.

• And an International Trailer (3:16, SD) and Japanese Trailer (2:11, SD) are included.

Tenebrae Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"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.