A Bit About Argento:
Dario Argento (Suspiria, Demons) is considered a master of horror. The Roman-born son of film producer Salvatore Argento and Brazilian photographer Elda Luxardo, Argento went on to make a name for himself in the industry with stylized films and garish, gory and bloody works of art. Argento, who began as a writer, became heavily influenced by the works of artistes like Ingmar Bergman and Mario Bava, both of whom had a penchant for the darker side of life…and death.
What is Giallo?
Giallo refers to the yellow paperback ‘trashy’ novels of the mid-forties and fifties that were all the rage in Italy. On the big screen, Mario Bava was credited with bringing the genre to life. These ‘thrillers’ incorporate violence, exploitation and excess. They are the harbinger of the American slasher flick and can often be quite shocking. Argento took giallo further than Bava and many of his contemporaries ever dreamed.
Plot Summary for Deep Red:
Deep Red follows closely the travails of foreign music teacher Marcus Daly (David Hemmings) while he investigates the brutal slaying of psychic Helga Ullman (Macha Meril), which he witnessed one night. Marcus’ friend Carlo (Gabriele Lava) seems like an extraneous character at first, who may or may not believe him. Then, we come to suspect that he could be the killer as the body count rises around him and our hero Daly. Of course, the handsome music teacher does find time to fall in love with a beautiful reporter Gianna Brezzi, played by Dario’s muse Daria Nicolodi.
Eventually, Daly remembers that he’s seen the killer’s face before, but can he save Gianna and himself before it’s too late?
Why Viewers Should Love Profondo Rosso:
Deep Red may seem a bit corny on first inspection to the American viewer because they’ve become so sensitized to gore and so used to flashier blood and guts. However, there is a lot to adore in this flick.
- Argento himself. The master puts himself in the film. Argento hands are all over the place. He literally places them in a key scene. It’s one of his conventions and you’ll have to figure out where. It’s part of the fun.
- The score by Giorgio Gaslini. Argento knows how to add music to a horror flick unlike anyone else. In fact, his ear for music is second to none. The music in Deep Red is akin to another character, bringing new life to the flick and enhancing the experience and the horror, not detracting from it.
- The unabashed gore. Argento is not afraid to “go there.” Each murder is a visual masterpiece of disgusting, gore. From Helga’s mutilation in the mirror to the true murderer’s death by necklace, the characters are killed beyond a shadow of a doubt. There is great theatricality in their deaths and you can bet some crew member had a lot of cleaning up to do afterwards.
- The plot. Yes, it may be considered thin by some, but who cares? There is a plot and it is rather good. Argento knows how to create suspense and he drags the viewer along his crazed ride to the end. You may figure out the ending before Daly does, but you’ll still enjoy watching Daly finally ‘see the light.’
Conclusion:
Profondo Rosso is a truly entertaining film. It’s also a precursor to the modern slasher flick, one in which the modern horror fan can see the beginnings of the genre being worked through and built. Dario Argento is one of the greatest architects of the genre. Watching Deep Red is like seeing Michelangelo at work on the Sistine Chapel. Rarely do you get the opportunity to go back in time and look at the evolution of something so visually stunning, entertaining and important in the history of the world.
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