Deep Red (1975)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Deep Red (1975) – D. Argento

I’m not usually one for violent slasher pictures but I have made an exception for the work of Dario Argento – at least for his 1970s films (e.g., Suspiria, 1977), because his more recent output does not look good.  Profondo Rosso ranks among his best and has the usual trademarks:  hallucinatory images, prog-rock soundtrack by Goblin, many tracking shots (often from the killer’s viewpoint), nearly incomprehensible plot that rests on psychological foundations (here, rather Freudian).  The film benefits from having David Hemmings (who starred in Antonioni’s Blow Up, 1966) in the lead role, along with Argento’s partner and co-conspirator Daria Nicolodi as a journalist investigating the murders.  Hemmings plays a jazz pianist who is a witness of the first murder (although he doesn’t remember the face of the killer).  Together, they follow an array of clues that leads to a very spooky house.  Of course, this film is not for the squeamish, as there are some very violent and bloody murders (I had to look away from the screen several times).   But despite the content (an Italian genre called giallo, based on the yellow covers of a series of pulp novels), Argento’s artistry is plain – the setpieces with Goblin backing tracks are pretty incredible.  Perhaps the dialogue/translation (sometimes English, sometimes Italian – lots of dubbing) leaves something to be desired and there are occasional dull stretches, but that’s not really Argento’s main interest (nor that of his mentor, Mario Bava).  Worth a look, for the brave?