Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jessica Harper | ... | ||
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Stefania Casini | ... | |
Flavio Bucci | ... | ||
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Miguel Bosé | ... |
Mark
(as Miguel Bosè)
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Barbara Magnolfi | ... | ||
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Susanna Javicoli | ... | |
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Eva Axén | ... | |
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Rudolf Schündler | ... | |
Udo Kier | ... | ||
Alida Valli | ... | ||
Joan Bennett | ... | ||
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Margherita Horowitz | ... |
Teacher
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Jacopo Mariani | ... | |
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Fulvio Mingozzi | ... |
Taxi Driver
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Franca Scagnetti | ... |
Cook
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In a stormy night, the American dancer Suzy Bannion arrives in Freiburg coming from New York to join a famous and expensive ballet school for a three years training. On the next morning, she is informed by the direction of the school that a student she met leaving the place on the previous night was violently murdered and the police is investigating the crime. She becomes friend of another student, Sara, and she realizes that the house is indeed a coven of evil witches. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Susie Bannon (Jessica Harper) goes to a dance academy in Germany to study. It turns out its run by a witches coven and they'll kill anybody who threatens them...
That's about it for plot. There IS a plot but it jumps all over the place...but it doesn't matter. This movie is fascinating just to look at and hear it. The settings are truly bizarre and done in eye-popping color. They're complimented by the excellent use of color and lighting. Also the group Goblin contributes to it a downright terrifying and LOUD score which really starts to work on you. The murder scenes are graphic--VERY graphic. The opening double murder is shocking and bloody. There are many great sequences that you just look at in wonder HOW this was done. My favorite is when Sarah (Stefania Casini) is being stalked through the academy late at night by an unseen evil force.
Director Dario Argento has made a true masterpiece of horror. Its short on plot but the visuals and music more than make up for any of its drawbacks. The acting is good--especially by Joan Bennett (obviously enjoying herself) and Alida Valli who just LOOKS scary...especially those teeth of hers. Harper is also very good considering she was acting opposite people who didn't speak English! The poor dubbing is a little distracting but this is still a horror masterpiece. A must-see. TRY to see it in a theatre.