Three Dario Argento movies in one month?
That's Horrorfest for you. This time let's take a look at his debut film:
1970's THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE. Even at this early stage in his
career, this film includes all of the hallmarks that would eventually become
inseparable from Argento, while remaining maybe a little more grounded in
convention than his later films became. This one is more grounded in plot and
less dream like than some of his later flicks, but no less stylish, colorful,
suspenseful and frightening.
Tony Musante stars as an American writer with
writer's block who has traveled to Rome to chill out on the advice of a friend
because "nothing happens" in Italy. Except of course MURDER. That's
right, Musante witnesses the attempted murder of a woman in an art gallery in a
striking scene in which he can see everything that's happening through a glass
partition but can't get into the gallery to help the victim or out of the
vestibule to get help.
The victim survives, but other murders are carried
out,and the killer starts taunting both police and Musante, who becomes
embroiled in the investigation. As usual with Argento, it's a mystery intercut
with slasher scenes. Good luck guessing the killer. I didn't!
Similar to later Argento movies, the music is
important, and here it's by the great Ennio Morricone. It's interesting how
most of Argento's filmography is synonymous with more modern music (Goblin,
etc.) but he stated out with one of the classical masters.
This is a pretty good entry Argento flick
because it's lighter on gore and heavier on plot than his later stuff. So if
you're just dipping your toes in Italian horror, you might want to start here.
Or if you just want to skip it and go to the best one ever, check out DEEP RED.
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