terrorfan

I commented on "Deep Red" quite a while ago here on IMDB under the name of Modrock62. Now, all these months later, I am commenting again as a sort of retraction of my earlier views if that makes any sense at all. Up until last night, the only version of this Dario Argento murder/mystery I had ever seen was the mutilated 98 minute version that originally made it to U.S. shores. As a matter of fact in 1975, when I was 13, my parents took me to see this film upon it's original U.S. release. At that time, the film frightened me so much and gave me nightmares for so long, I never forgot it. As the years passed, I saw it on late night horror TV shows and then again through video rental, always viewing the edited cut of the film. And the movie always impacted me even on repeated viewings. Then last night I watched it again but with an added bonus. This was Anchor Bay's release on DVD of the Dario Argento colection, Volume 3. A double bill of "Deep Red" and "Tenabre". Finally I was going to see this remarkable film in it's complete 126 minutes form as Argento originally filmed and envisioned it.

The picture was crystal clear and gorgeous! The colors were unreal. The sound was awesome. The fact that parts of the English dubbing were either never recorded or lost and replaced by Italian with English subtitles didn't bother me one bit. Music by Goblin was still as intense as ever! And..................I WAS BORED!!!! It is very difficult for me to say that considering I have always trumpeted this as THE greatest Horror/Mystery/Suspense film of all time! But for some strange reason, the complete 126 minute version came off as extremely boring to me and I found myself at times fidgeting in my seat waiting for the action to get started! And when it did, it didn't have the same effect on me as it did in previous viewings even though I haven't seen the film in a very long time! The "violent action" was almost like a release from boredom to me as opposed to scary, nervous and jumpy that it always used to be. The running, boring dialogue and extra scenes actually in my case, took the jolt and terror out of the frightening scenes and actually made me sigh in relief from sitting thru the extra dialogue. For me, all this lessened the impact of the film.

And the impact was not lessened because of repeated viewings, because I hadn't seen the movie in a long, long time and no matter how many times I saw it before, it always impacted me. Not this time. Could it be that I alone may actually prefer the cut, 98 minute version better? Possibly. The cuts in the "short" version certainly do leave holes in the story but at 28 minutes shorter then the DVD version, it makes the film flow swiftly and the jolts and shocks more genuine, leaving you barely any time to settle down and catch your breath before the next jolt comes. The 126 minute version gives you a "downtime" to recover and sit thru brutal dialogue before it revs up again. Maybe it's just me, I am sure it is and that I am in the minority, but the shorter version is a much more breathless film. Believe me, I am not knocking DVD or Anchor Bay. DVD is a boom and breath of fresh and much needed air to the Horror genre. DVD allows us to view restored films, digitally re-mastered films, original European release versions, complete versions and director's cuts, etc... DVD also allows for superb sound, loads of extras and on and on and I love it. DVD will be my source for entertainment from now on. And Anchor Bay must be applauded for their efforts to bring "classics" back and release them in DVD form. A job well done if you ask me but in the case of "Deep Red", it seemed to have the opposite effect, at least on me.

I still love this film, and it will always hold a place in my heart, but I just didn't get the same feeling of dread and excitement that I did with the shorter, faster paced version. It's great to have a complete film just as the Director inteneded it to be but for my money, the 126 minute version of "Deep Red" turned into a tedious, often yawning experience. OUCH!!! You have NO idea how much it hurt to say that!

Simply put, this is a gorgeous film to look at. From the spellbinding camera work, the atmosphere, the use of light(very little) and shadows to the famous Universal expressionist sets it's just a joy to behold. The creepy German countryside swathed in rain and thunder and lightning is a truly wonderful sight to see. Add to that fine performances from Rathbone, Karloff, Lugosi and especially Atwill as the bitter but dutifull Police Inspector you have what is the most literate Universal film in the Frankenstein series. And oh yes, IT'S A HECK OF A LOT OF FUN TOO! Buy it for your collection and watch this wonderful film over and over again. A classic!

Though not nearly up to the standards and fun level of "Ghost Of Frankenstein", this neat little Universal gem has it's heart in the right place! Wonderful opening sequence in the graveyard, plenty of atmosphere, typically gorgeous Universal studio sets and it's famous monsters! What more can you ask for? Chaney is superb as the tormented Larry Talbot but Bela leaves quite a bit to be desired as the monster. Universal would have been better off using Glen Strange one film earlier instead of waiting for 1944's "House Of Frankenstein". All in all, a fun film that staggers a bit after a rip-roaring start!