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Written and Directed by
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Presented by Rated R 100 Minutes
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TENEBRE Review
With his latest MOTHER OF TEARS about to be released (finally) in the United States, Anchor Bay Entertainment has released some of Dario Argento’s films for the first time on DVD in the form of a box set and individual releases. One of those is a film considered by many to be his bloodiest and finest in giallo cinema, TENEBRE, which was made in 1982. While not his best film, it is essential viewing for fans of the Italian master at the prime of his career. Celebrated author Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) has hit a career high with his new novel TENEBRE, a book about a serial killer of women. Upon his travels to Italy to promote the book when a psychopath starts to kill while inspired by the novel, even using the book pages to leave his mark on the victims. The killer starts to harass Neal and his assistant Anne (Daria Nicolodi) while the body count rises, and more people close to Neal are murdered. TENEBRE is easily one of Argento’s best and scariest films, with the perfect pitch of atmosphere, shock, and suspense. The opening murder, in which a woman is cut in the throat while pages of the book are stuffed in her mouth, is extraordinarily done, both artistic and frightening, and done at the perfect level, and the murders are more bloodier (and stylish) as the film progresses, but it is the characterization of Neal that separates this film from the other giallos he has done. Franciosa is very engaging in the lead, bringing a suave charm and vulnerability that is rare for this type of film. Daria Nicolodi is given the strong role of his assistant, loyal and faithful in his help, similar to her role in DEEP RED. As Neal’s agent, John Saxon is fine in a supporting role and just when you feel he is wasted, he becomes an integral part of the film. Christian Borromeo, as the young assistant Gianni, also delivers a fine role as a witness to one of the murders who becomes traumatized by the event. At 100 minutes, the film is well paced, with ample time given to each murder. Its centerpiece is the murder of two women in their loft, complete with a four minute steadicam shot from the point of view of the murderer as he enters. Nobody films murder quite like Dario, and TENEBRE delivers some of his best yet. The script is solid and the mystery of the murderer is executed brilliantly. You have your ideas on who it is but the revelation is still shocking. The score, again from long time collaborators Goblin, add to the chilling scenery and atmospheric tension quite well. The film’s misogynistic tone plays throughout, especially in an early scene where a reporter chastises Neal for the novel’s approach towards the brutal slayings of young women. I don’t believe this to be the case, but as this film was released at the height of the slasher era, its top notch story and cinematography put it well ahead of other horror films of the time. It’s not a slasher film, this is pure giallo, but the misconception of it being a slasher film may be why the film is so overlooked amongst his other classic works. The ending is a shocker though, and brings the film to a terrific climax. The film will be released both separately and in a boxed set. I received the stand alone disc and it’s filled with some nice extras. The commentary is interesting though Argento’s thick accent may be hard to understand in some cases. One thing Anchor Bay is good at is delivering the goods, and they do so here with three mini docs that showcase Argento the visionary, the score by Goblin, and most interestingly one of the voice of the killer in how it was done. The film’s trailer is also shown here, bringing back memories of going to the theaters at that time. In all, TENEBRE is the perfect Argento film, rich in formula, high on blood, and nothing short of classic. It’s a must have for any Argento fan and is worth having in your collection. I would call TENEBRE the cinematic equivalent of a “Greatest Hits” film. Everything you love is there with a few new twists that make it fresh. I would also put TENEBRE as required viewing for any student of the genre looking to understand horror at its most visceral. TENEBRE: 9 Out Of 10 Maggots
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