The Firelight Shocks DVD Review Section

Deep Red Distributor: Anchor Bay Region: 1 Ratio: 2:35:1 (Anamorphically enhanced) Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

David Hemmings plays Marc Daly - a musician who witnesses the brutal murder of a female psychic. Together with journalist Gianna (Daria Nicolodi), Daly begins to investigate why the woman was killed and, in doing so, becomes caught up in a tale of terror that relates to a dark secret from the past. Deep Red is a superior spin on Hemming's earlier shocker, Blow Up (which is surely one of the most tedious films ever made). Deep Red is a masterpiece and the greatest; not to mention the most popular and acclaimed, giallo ever made. Although the film has some stylistic similarities with the director's earlier 'animal trilogy' (The Bird With the Crystal Plumage etc), it is also the beginning of a trend, in Italian horror movies, which would sacrifice plot, logic and believability in favour of style and awesome, carefully staged set pieces. Indeed, Deep Red is also the forefather of Halloween (just listen to that soundtrack for further proof). Moreover, the film sees Argento's further exploration of utilising widescreen photography in horror cinema (at one point during the film, Argento actually uses the frame to give away the murderer's identity... a bold idea that could easily have backfired). This film, like the director's previous Cat O Nine Tails and Four Flies on Grey Velvet, openly features gay characters (without any criticism of their lifestyle) and is, thus, quite considerably ahead of its time. A further admirable achievement! Ultimately, Deep Red is an essential purchase. The picture quality is excellent (as is the sound which helps you to appreciate what a great bunch of composers Goblin actually are) and the anamorphic enhancement makes the film look fantastic when blown up on your widescreen telly. There is some print damage during chapters 23 and 24 - but this is obviously because of the age of the film. Anchor Bay have spent a great deal of time and money restoring this film and this is the first chance many of us have ever had to view the film uncut and in its correct theatrical ratio. Redemption tried to locate this print years ago, and had to settle for an awful pan and scan version instead, so if you've got that copy it's time to upgrade to the real thing. Oh yeah, and don't even mention that diluted American theatrical cut which hit cinemas back in the mid seventies...

EXTRAS: Well, as a UK viewer you get to see two scenes which were cut from the Redemption release. The first is a brief shot of two dogs fighting in the street which, sadly, does not appear to be simulated. The second is another bout of dubious animal cruelty - this time featuring a small lizard impaled on a large needle (this scene was actually broadcast on satellite television though). The fact that neither of those two shots are graphic (or gloating) leads me to believe that Argento was trying to emphasise the hidden cruelty and violence which the silent streets, lonely cottages and the beautiful towering architecture of the film seems to hide. In saying that, the film could well have done without them and their use is especially puzzling considering that Argento is a vegetarian. The disc's 'proper' extras include a short documentary on the film involving new interviews with Argento and Goblin. My only problem with this feature is that it is not long enough!!! The other extras are some biographies and two theatrical trailers. However, it's probably worth mentioning that you can watch the entire film in Italian with English subs if you like (some of the scenes on this disc change to Italian anyway because English dialogue was never recorded for them). Great menus too! Anchor Bay has done it again... this is one disc that you must own. If this is the norm for the restoration of Argento movies then I'm extremely excited about the company's forthcoming 'special edition' of Cat O Nine Tails!