Horror Extreme Movie Feature - Dario Argento: The Horror Master and The Three Mothers
Dario Argento's Three Mothers Trilogy
Posted On: 07/26/2007
Dario Argento (born September 17, 1940) is an
Italian movie producer, director and screenwriter famous (among other things) for his
graphic horror movies and is considered a great influence on the
horror and slasher movies that have followed his work.
His distinct style of directing stands out due to his attention to the artistic factors in a movie, such as lighting, sound and color, rather than shock and splatter which results in a high tension and often deeply terrifying movie experience for the viewer. These factors combined with violence and the supernatural has made him a master in the
horror genre.
In 1977,
Dario Argento unleashed
Suspiria, a violent supernatural thriller which (along with Profundo Rosso AKA Deep Red) is considered one of his greatest works.
Suspiria is the first instalment in
The Three Mothers Trilogy, followed by
Inferno in 1980 and soon to be concluded with
The Third Mother due to be released later this year. Argento also collaborated in George A. Romero's zombie classic Dawn of the Dead and has strongly influenced the giallo genre with movies like Trauma. More recently
Dario Argento has contributed to the
Masters of Horror series with Jenifer and Pelts.
The First Mother: Suspiria
Suspiria is the first movie in the
Three Mothers Trilogy, the three mothers are three ancient witches residing and influencing three modern day cities. Suspiria happens in Germany and centres on a young American ballet student, Suzy Banyon (played by Jessica Harper), who has travelled to Europe to join a prestigious dance academy run by the mysterious Madame Blane (played by Joan Bennett) and Miss Tanner (played by Alida Valli). A series of bizarre incidents and the horrific murder of a student leads Suzy to discover the academy is a front for a coven of witches practising the most unholy black magic.
One of the first scenes in the movies sees the vicious murder of a student and has been described as "the most violent murder scene ever filmed".
The Second Mother: Inferno
Inferno (unofficially known as The Second Mother) is the second part of
The Three Mothers Trilogy. This time the story is based in New York City where Rose Elliot (played by Irene Miracle) discovers a book called
The Three Mothers detailing the existence of three evil sisters who rule the world with sorrow, tears, and darkness. Rose begins to suspect that she is living in one of the buildings specifically build for one of the sisters, she writes a letter to her brother in Rome urging him to visit, but before he arrives her investigation has led to her untimely death at the hands of a knife wielding killer.
Upon his arrival Rose's brother, Mark (played by Leigh McCloskey), investigates the murder of his sister and her suspicions of witchcraft and soon discovers a series of secret passageways in the building which lead him to Mater Tenebrarum, the mysterious Professor Arnold and the conclusion that his sister's suspicions were true.
The Third Mother: Mother of Tears
The Third Mother (also billed in the media as
Mater Lachrymarum and
Mother of Tears) is the concluding part of
The Three Mothers Trilogy and is due to premiere in Italy on 18 October 2007 at the Rome Film Festival.
Sarah Mandy (played by Asia Argento), an American art student studying in Rome, finds the ashes of the long-dead witch Mater Lachrymarum (known as the Mother of Tears) in an ancient decrepit grave along with a robe, a dagger and three small statues. The resurrection of the ancient evil plunges Rome into chaos as the witches of the world congregate to pay homage to their evil queen. Sarah must confront the Mother of Tears in order to stop the diabolical black magic engulfing the world and bringing a new age of darkness.
Dario Argento: The Horror Master and The Three Mothers: Related Horror Movie Pictures
Dario Argento: The Horror Master and The Three Mothers: Related Movie Clips
Related "Dario Argento: The Horror Master and The Three Mothers" Reviews
If she lives, we all die.
Posted on 08/10/2008 by Pazuzu Iscariot
The third and final part of Dario Argento's Three Mothers Trilogy is Mother of Tears (La Terza madre). 27 years after Inferno, the final part of the trilogy that began with Suspiria ends pretty much how it began. I must admit that I was expecting to be disappointed with this movie and envisioned it ...
Read More "Mother Of Tears"
Terror that's hotter than hell!
Posted on 03/24/2008 by Pazuzu Iscariot
Inferno is the second part of Italian horror movie director Dario Argento's "Three Mothers Trilogy". Released in 1980, it follows on from Suspiria and concerns Mater Tenebrarum, the Mother of Darkness/Shadows.The movie begins in New Your where a poetess, Rose Elliot (Irene Miracle) discovers a book ...
Read More "Inferno"
The Only Thing More Terrifying Than The Last 12 Minutes Of This Film Are The First 92
Posted on 03/23/2008 by Pazuzu Iscariot
Suspiria is 1977 horror movie co-written and directed by Italian horror movie master Dario Argento. The plot revolves around Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper), an American dance student who travels to Germany to attend a world renowned ballet school.She arrives at the ballet school late at night in the ...
Read More "Suspiria"