Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

Behind-the-scenes documentaries tend to be hit-or-miss affairs, often becoming so bogged down in arcane details that they wind up being a little tedious. Dario Argento's World of Horror, however, is a fascinating look at the master of the Italian horror film. There are plenty of how-to details concerning films such as The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, Tenebrae, Four Flies on Grey Velvet, and much of his other horror and giallowork through l985, as well as an examination of his involvement with George Romero's zombie classic Dawn of the Dead. There are also lengthy interview segments that plumb the depths of Argento's dark visions as he discusses his influences, from Hitchcock to American pulp writers like Chandler, Hammett and Woolrich. The director's visually stylish, thematically complex work has been analyzed and dissected in print at great length, but the rather chilling interviews with the man give a new insight into his obsessions and a clue as to what actually makes him tick. Argento's personal protege Michele Soavi (director of Dellamorte, Dellamore and The Church) helmed this documentary in hands-off style. Highly recommended for horror fans in general and fans of the Italian breed of horror in particular. --Jerry Renshaw

A documentary focusing on Italian writer-producer-director Dario Argento (the Italian Hitchcock), who first started making detective style films mixed with horror known as Giallos in the early 60's. This film was directed by former Argento assistant Michele Soavi who later went on to film such great movies as Dellamorte Dellamore (1994) / aka: Cemetery Man (1996). When first released in the mid eighties on the VidMark label, this documentary became an instant collectable, as it contained may sights otherwise unavailable to the American VHS tape consumer, including the underwear scene from Bird With the Crystal Plumage (1970); Jane's bloody death from Tenebrae (1982), and the complete unedited clip of the first murder scene in Suspiria (1977). The documentary is also complemented with behind-the-scenes footage, such as cute Jennifer Connelly sitting chin-deep in a pool of mock-maggots [Creepers / Phenomena (1985)], yet the documentary doesn't always let the viewer know what the clip is from what film. The film also details Argento's innovative use of unusual cameras and cranes, his scoring sessions with Goblin and Keith Emerson, and of course Argento's own (subtitled) impressions of his work. The DVD is presented in the full screen (1.33:1) format, and has no xtras included. Luigi Cozzi, another student of Argento, directed a follow-up documentary, Dario Argento: Master of Horror (1991), under his 'Lewis Coates' pseudonym. Cozzi brought things up-to-date with clips from newer films such as: Terror at the Opera (1998), The Church (1988), Two Evil Eyes (1990), and The Sect (1990).

For those who follow Dario Argento's movies one wonders where his ideas for inspiration comes from. This documentary, directed by Michele Soavi, shines a new light on Argento's approach to filmmaking. Just about every facet is covered; he explains in great detail what frightened him when he was a child, his choice of music, his crew (with crew members themselves explaining their roles and equipment they used), his dreams (and nightmares), why the close up of every murderer's hand are always his, and the main reason why he wants to make movies (I won't give it away), all interspersed with scenes from his movies (and behind the scenes from his movies). After watching this, one can't help but be in awe of the man and his films. The extras on this DVD are skimpy (only Argento's filmography, not even an acknowledgement to Michele Soavi) but the feature more than makes up for it. Three cheers for Michele Soavi for making this documentary and a big thank you to Dario Argento for your blood, sweat, and tears that goes into each and every film you do.