Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Stendhal Syndrome Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 22, 2018

Dario Argento's "The Stendhal Syndrome" (1996) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground. The supplemental features on the disc include an extensive collection of vintage promotional materials for the film; exclusive new audio commentary by author Troy Howarth; exclusive new video interview with star Asia Argento; exclusive new video interview with co-writer Franco Ferrini; archival featurettes; and a lot more. In English or Italian, with optional English, English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Anna Manni

Dario Argento's The Stendhal Syndrome was first released on Blu-ray by Blue Underground in 2008. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see Marty Liebman's review of this release here.

The Stendhal Syndrome Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Dario Argento's The Stendhal Syndrome arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground.

The release is sourced from a new 2K remaster of the film that was prepared exclusively for this release. It is quite wonderful and I also prefer the new 1.85:1 framing that was chosen for this presentation of the film. (The old release had the film framed in 1.66:1). In terms of delineation and depth the improvements are quite dramatic. The harness and black crush from the previous master are replaced with a proper organic appearance that reintroduced entire ranged of nuances, so a lot of the darker footage actually boasts much better clarity. The proper grain exposure also ensures proper fluidity, and on a big screen the difference in quality becomes significant. The elimination of the surface harshness and exaggerated crushed blacks from the old master also has a positive effect on the film's color scheme -- the primaries are more natural and there are expanded ranges of nuances. Image stability is excellent. There are no damage marks, cuts, stains, or other age-related imperfections. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Stendhal Syndrome Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are six standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), English: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit), Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English, English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I am aware that there have been some concerns pertaining to the mixing of the English track. I viewed the entire film with the English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track and did not detect any transfer errors to report in our review.

The dialog is clean and easy to follow. However, there is unevenness that from time to time affects the exchanges between the different characters. But, some overdubbing was clearly done and I am quite confident this is how the dynamic levels were managed. The music easily breathes throughout the entire film and there are no balance issues.

The Stendhal Syndrome Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary - in this exclusive new audio commentary, Troy Howarth, author of So Deadly, So Perverse and a big admirer of The Stendhal Syndrome, discusses in great detail the production history of the film, its narrative construction and ambience, Dario Argento's career and the evolution of his style, the role of Ennio Morricone's music, the characterizations and the strength of Asia Argento's performance, etc.

• Trailer - remastered theatrical trailer for The Stendhal Syndrome. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080p).

• Three Shades of Asia - in this new video interview, star Asia Agento discusses her contribution to The Stendhal Syndrome as well as the condition of her character, the significance of different segments from the film, her father's working methods, Giuseppe Rotunno's lensing, etc. In Italian, with imposed English subtitles. (20 min, 1080p).

• Prisoner of Art - in this new video interview, co-writer Franco Ferrini discusses his appreciation for Dario Argento's work, his involvement with The Stendhal Syndrome, and some of the film's key themes. In Italian, with imposed English subtitles. (14 min, 1080p).

• Sharp As a Razor - in this new video interview, special makeup artist Franco Casagni recalls his first encounter with cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno and discusses the work that he did for him and Dario Argento during the production of The Stendhal Syndrome. In Italian, with imposed English subtitles. (10 min, 1080p).

• Publicity - a large collection of original vintage promotional materials for The Stendhal Syndrome. The materials were compiled by Gregory Chick.

DVD DISC

• Director: Dario Argento - in this archival featurette, Dario Argento discusses the genesis of The Stendhal Syndrome, the structure of its narrative, the unique atmosphere and tone of the film. The featurette contains major spoilers. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (20 min).

• Inspiration: Psychological Consultant Graziella Magherini - in this archival featurette, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Graziella Magherini, who was once the director of Mental Health Services of Florence City Center, discusses some real cases like the one that is chronicled in Dario Argento's film, as well as the classic symptoms of Stendhal syndrome. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (21 min).

• Special Effects: Sergio Stivaletti - in this archival featurette, special effects Sergio Stivaletti discusses the unique special effects that he created for Dario Argento's The Stendhal Syndrome. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (16 min).

• Assistant Director: Luigi Cozzi - in this archival featurette, assistant director Luigi Cozzi recalls his first encounter with Dario Argento and discusses his contribution to The Stendhal Syndrome. There are additional very interesting observations about the director's stylistic preferences and how they impacted the evolution of his work. The featurette contains major spoilers. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (22 min).

• Production Designer: Massimo Antonello Geleng - in this archival featurette, production designer Massimo Antonello Geleng discusses in great detail the particular sets and decors that were utilized during the shooting of The Stendhal Syndrome. There are some very interesting observations about the footage that was shot in the museum. The featurette contains major spoilers. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (23 min).

• Booklet - 20-page illustrated booklet featuring new writing by author Michael Gingold and technical credits.

The Stendhal Syndrome Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I am in full agreement with Troy Howarth that The Stendhal Syndrome is the final of Dario Argento's big films. Since its completion Argento's work has been quite inconsistent, and a couple of his latest films have actually been seriously underwhelming (The Card Player, Mother of Tears). For this Limited Edition of The Stendhal Syndrome, Blue Underground prepared a lovely 2K remaster of the film that represents a significant upgrade in quality over the old remaster that was used for the first release of the film back in 2008. There are also exclusive new bonus features on it that fans of the film will surely appreciate. The release is Region-Free. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.