Tenebre (Widescreen)

 

 

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Many reviews have stated that the Anchor Bay version is not uncut, implying that it has been subject to censorship. This is NOT true. The Anchor Bay release contains tiny cuts because the actual print of the film they were using was damaged in some spots. These cuts do not alter the story in any way, nor do they attempt to edit out any gore. See http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=2464 for the specs and information on the various releases.

I notice that Argento is most often praised for his "set pieces," which are usually the suspense/murder sequences. I have to agree I enjoy these very much. He can be very slick. His movie "Tenebre" is actually fairly well constructed. It is about an American novelist Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) who came to Rome to promote his book only to be mired in the tragic deaths of many beautiful women. Seemingly based on his recent novel the girls (and others) all die horrific deaths with Argento's arsenal of ways to kill pretty Italian girls. Three very memorable scenes in this movie to my mind, and a recurring theme of deep human despair which I have found in his movies so far. Two scenes here which specifically communicate this sense of futility. The first of which involves eight or maybe nine if you go back all the way to the introduction of the minor character involved turns of fate in a lengthy and relentless sequence characteristic of Argento's films and for which I can see why he is sometimes compared to Hitchcock (though is it appropriate to do so???). It is a turning point in the film. I am reminded of the scene with the pile of razor wire in "Suspiria". The other scene in "Tenebre" more graphically identifies that theme in the image of a character impaled on a polished piece of metal, trying to pull it out but his hands are too slippery with blood to grip the object.

Stylistically speaking the movie departs from garish and moody lighting of "Suspiria" for a more frontal, "realistic" look. If that hallucinogenic quality is the only thing a person liked about those movies. Interestingly enough, people complain that it looks like a TV show and the commentary notes that Argento was looking into the lighting of American television police drama to incorporate into this film. Don't mistake, color is still important. You will notice there is a lot of white so that when someone gets killed.... The other Argento trademarks are here, and effectively so. Camera movement, cutting, and soundtrack are still extremely important. The soundtrack is by three of the members of Goblin and, while of course sounding dated, fits very well, especially in one scene where you hear probably the whole main theme played over the duration of a long elaborate crane shot. I'm still amazed that in a movie where sound is so important I am able to forgive mediocre dubbing.

If you ever find yourself trying to argue that Argento isn't a misogynistic film director, make sure you try and sway the conversation away from this film. The vast majority of sick violence is directed at the fairer sex, but never mind! The murders are typically well orchestrated, and it is obvious which part of his film that Argento values the most. I see that's part of reason why many respect this guy so much - he gives horror fans exactly what they want.

Where do I start? Before I watched this film I was full of hype. I had heard many great things about it. I sat down full of excitement and pressed play. The opening was really good, just like almost everything else in this movie. The only major problem I had with this movie was the ending. I hated it. I never would have guessed who the killer was. Well actually I guessed it at the begining but thought that would just be stupid if that person would murder people.
The music is so incredible! I listen to it all the time. It goes well with murder scenes. The gore in this movie is amazing! It looks so real and gross. I love how the blood comes spraying out of an arm that was chopped off! This movie was a good one but did not live up to the expectations I had for it. I enjoyed it none the less.

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1.0 out of 5 stars Anchor Bay Lies Again
When I bought this piece of garbage, the back of the box said uncut, uncensored version. BULL!!!! The Dutch import version entitled SHADOWS has an additional 25 seconds of... Read more

Published on Nov 1 2004 by J. Clark

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME SUSPENSFUL THRILLER!!
This was the first film of Dario Argento I had the privledge of watching and I must say I loved it. The film kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering who the killer was... Read more

Published on July 11 2004 by Guido

5.0 out of 5 stars Argento's On A Roll
Argento takes a break from the supernatural to return to his giallo roots. Many fans consider this one of his best and I'd agree with that. Read more

Published on May 27 2004 by Stanley Runk

5.0 out of 5 stars one of argento's best
I've seen 7 of his movies total after being very impressed with
the first movie I watched by him suspiria. Read more

Published on May 25 2004 by love777

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Argento's best
This easily ranks among my top 5 from Dario Argento.

This gem tells the tale of a horror author Peter Neal and his newest book, Tenebre. Read more

Published on May 2 2004 by Wrathchild862000

5.0 out of 5 stars axe me
long time argento fan, has to be one of my favs, violent , bloody, and artistic. deffinetly a classic in my eyes

Published on Jan 30 2004 by jeff coco

1.0 out of 5 stars Overrated, like all of Argento's junk.
Like much of Argento's oeuvre, this rubbish is a mess: it's trite, badly acted, scripted, produced. The age old excuse that he 'prefers style over substance' is more than just a... Read more

Published on Sep 24 2003 by noilie

4.0 out of 5 stars Suspense and Style.
After having seen this, I'll definitely watch more movies made by Dario Argento. It's not your average cup of blood and gore; if anything, this whole movie is done with... Read more

Published on July 8 2003 by Haplo Wolf

4.0 out of 5 stars All I can say is "Whoa!"
Dubbed the Italian Hitchcock by his American fans, Dario Argento is one of those filmmakers who is completely uninhibited with his use of the camera and gore effects. Read more

Published on May 27 2003 by Blake Kleiner

5.0 out of 5 stars Perversions of a dangerous mind...
Two thumbs up for one of the most underestimated movies of Dario Argento! Excellent suspence, brilliant plot, effective introspection of the main and secondary actors, nailbiting... Read more

Published on May 13 2003 by Wildenbruck

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