Synapse Films Releasing Argento's Suspiria

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Just announced!

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SYNAPSE FILMS, INC. LICENSES “SUSPIRIA”, ONE OF THE MOST ACCLAIMED HORROR FILMS OF ALL TIME, FOR DVD, BLU-RAY AND FUTURE OPTICAL MEDIA.

ROMULUS, MI - Synapse Films, Inc. has acquired the North American home-video rights to the 1977 classic horror film SUSPIRIA, directed by Italian horror master Dario Argento. Described as “one of the scariest films of all time” by Entertainment Weekly, SUSPIRIA stars the beautiful Jessica Harper as a young girl caught up in a coven of witches controlling a German dance academy.

“I've been involved in the restoration and release of many films in my career, but SUSPIRIA has always eluded me, until now,” says Donald May, Jr., President of Synapse Films. “It's one of my favorite horror films and I'm ecstatic that my business partner, Jerry Chandler, was able to negotiate with the rights holders to release this film. This is going to be an amazing project for us.”

Synapse Films, Inc. will work closely with Technicolor Rome and Technicolor Los Angeles to create an all-new high-definition 2K scan from the original negative for a possible 2014-15 video release. “It's important to spend as much time as possible to create the definitive high-definition home video version for the fans,” May explains. “We're going to take our time with this one.”

Synapse Films, Inc. is currently planning the extensive work on SUSPIRIA in conjunction with Technicolor, utilizing both their Rome and Hollywood facilities. The film scanning will be coordinated and supervised by Technicolor Hollywood's Director of Restoration Services, Tom Burton, whose film restoration credits include Ridley Scott's BLADE RUNNER, Georges Mélií¨s' A TRIP TO THE MOON and BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S.

Final specifications, retail pricing, and extras for the Synapse Films release of SUSPIRIA will be announced closer to the as yet to be determined release date.

[Roderick Butthorn Find all posts View Profile Close Roderick]

WITCH!

[Ignatius Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ignatius]

Everything about this is awesome. I saw SUSPIRIA on the big screen a while back and they used the current resto as the source. Man, the hot pink exterior of the dance studio is really hard on the eyeballs on the big screen.

I've never really liked SUSPIRIA (despite really wanting to) so I'm looking forward to seeing a version that does justice to the visuals in the hopes that I change my mind.

[Paul L Scholar of Sleaze Find all posts View Profile Close Paul L]

Not my favourite Argento film (by a long shot), although it was the first one I really paid attention too (I'd previously seen BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE via the UK Stablecane VHS and the Palace Video release of CREEPERS/PHENOMENA before encountering SUSPIRIA via the EiV tape; I prefer the former film these days). SUSPIRIA seems to be the film that, for many, popped their Argento cherry: I think it's got a slightly elevated reputation because of this. However, despite owning the UK Blu I'll definitely be getting this Synapse disc. I'm trusting Synapse to 'do it right' and provide the last version of SUSPIRIA that I'll ever need to buy ;)

In some ways, the best digital release of SUSPRIA that I own is still the old UK DVD from Nouveaux: in the correct AR, with the original sound mix from the Image LaserDisc (although 2 channel rather than 4 channel), and without the overly 'hot' transfer that's circulated over the last few years. But it's frustratingly non-anamorphic.

[Andrew Monroe Pallid Hands Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew Monroe]

Not my favourite Argento film (by a long shot), although it was the first one I really paid attention too... SUSPIRIA seems to be the film that, for many, popped their Argento cherry: I think it's got a slightly elevated reputation because of this.

Right on both counts for me, not my favorite either but it was indeed the first one I saw (via Cinemax). I also agree it's got a perhaps inflated reputation. Don't get me wrong, the film was unlike anything I had seen up to that point and I liked it a lot - particularly those show-stopping opening murders (imo the film never returns to the intensity of this sequence). These days it's been talked about and written about so much I have a bit of a love/hate thing going on with it. I have no doubt I'll be tempted by this Synapse edition.

[bgart13 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bgart13]

I wonder if a new master is really needed. Maybe Don will see the raw master and find it was never prepared right for the bd transfers. Then again, maybe he'll do it all new and own the sole rights for at least a year.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Suspira was not only the first Argento movie I remember seeing but the first Italian horror movie I remember seeing. A friend of mine at school rented it and told me about it the next day. After school we went over to his place and watched it right away, because the tape had to be back by six to avoid late fees. haha. At any rate, it obvioulsy made quite an impression on me. I'd seen Italian westerns before, plenty of them because my dad was a fan, but I don't recall having ever seen an Italian horror film before this one. It was so unlike anything I'd seen before (mostly old monster movies, slashers and zombie pictures) and it completely freaked me out.

I've got that UK Blu-ray, but it leaves a lot of room for improvement. After seeing what Synapse did with Demons, I expect them to knock this out of the park.

[Alex K. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Alex K.]

It's not a favorite of mine (I prefer Inferno) but I'm happy to see Synapse do well and I trust Don can do this title real justice.

Will Lustig... I love what you've done for cult films on DVD and I also love Vigilante and to a degree Maniac but you fucked up Suspiria's sound mixing pretty bad.

[Dom D Spoon! Find all posts View Profile Close Dom D]

I disagree its over rated. Its still an unparrelled visual/aural extravaganza. I think we're all just massivly over familiar with it. Familiarity breeds contempt and all that. But a 2k scan when Ewan McGregor is on TV every day telling me I need a 4k ultra HD TV?

[Ignatius Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ignatius]

It'll be a cost thing. Most of Criterion's restorations are done in 2k as well. 4k seems to be one of those things that only the major studios can afford. And bollocks to 4k TVs, most recent blockbusters are only finished in 2k to begin with. Just give us a less compressed 1080p.

[Dom D Spoon! Find all posts View Profile Close Dom D]

Yeah, I had my tongue very firmly lodged in my cheek when I made that comment. Synapse does great work but I'm really not the target market for this release much as I love the film.

[Horace Cordier Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Horace Cordier]

Synapse Films Releasing Argento's Suspiria

Not a favorite of mine at all - I don't think it's fit to lick TENEBRAE's bloody claws - but it's a key title terribly in need of a decent Blu so I'm thrilled Synapse have it. I'm sure they'll do a great job.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

From FB:

"Best get on it then! Any word on your forthcoming Argento titles... Phenomena, Suspiria and Tenebrae? Are talking next year or this year?"

"Two this year, we hope. SUSPIRIA may be next year."

That's good news - at least we'll get two of them, if not all three.

[Lalala76 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lalala76]

What's with the downers on Suspiria? Is it a case of overkill? I love it. Its much better than Inferno, although I view them as two peas in a pod. I also love Deep red and Tenebrae, but Suspiria just has it imo. But then again, I really like Phenomena.

[Tom Clark Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tom Clark]

What's with the downers on Suspiria? Is it a case of overkill?

I can understand that to a degree. As someone pointed out earlier in the thread so much has been said/written about the film over the years so over-exposure is bound to cause some folks to burn out on it while at the same time still holding the film in high regard. Personally speaking I listen to the soundtrack album more than I watch the film these days. I'll always love the film and still find it to be an essential Euro horror film and Argento will always be one of my favorite directors but I've seen it so many times I need to give it a break. Its the same thing for me with Friedkin and The Exorcist.