Doppelgänger and Scorpion Releasing deliver the U.S. Blu-ray debut of Dario Argento’s OPERA
Dario Argento is synonymous with horror. He’s a maestro of Giallo, who delivered revered classics such as Deep Red, Inferno, Suspiria, and Tenebrae. Long the victim of his films being recut, renamed, or not even available outside of Europe, it is no small feat that Doppelgänger and Scorpion Releasing are seeking to bring some of his works Stateside for their first Blu-ray releases. Their first venture, a 4K restoration of Opera, certainly deserves a standing ovation.
Synopsis
When young opera singer Betty (Cristina Marsillach, Every Time We Say Goodbye) takes over the leading role in an avant-garde presentation of Verdi’s Macbeth, she triggers the madness of a crazed fan who repeatedly forces her to watch the brutal murders of her friends. Will her recurring childhood nightmare hold the key to the identity of this psychopath, or does an even more horrific evil lay waiting in the wings?
While Argento did put out a (woeful) version of The Phantom of the Opera in 1998, Opera itself is a far more striking riff on the idea, playing up the torment over the romance. When the lead of a production of Verdi’s Macbeth is injured in a car accident, the producers are forced to bring in understudy Betty (Cristina Marsillach). Soon after her debut, she is subjected to a horrifying series of incidents, witnessing the grisly murder of those involved in the production. Despite support from her relationship with stage manager Stefano (William McNamara), director Marco (Ian Charleston), and her agent Mira (Daria Nicolodi), Betty’s psyche starts to unravel. As the killings continue, the killer’s connection to her seems to be personal.
As with much of Argento’s output, a synopsis doesn’t do justice to experiencing one of his creations. It’s luxuriant storytelling, depending more on tone and psychological mood than a deeply wrought narrative. From a career with memorable fare, Opera feels like one of his last true flourishes. The theatrical setting of the production seems most lending to his particular style. A grim and grisly affair, sumptuous production quality, and hypnotic and voyeuristic camerawork and setpieces make use of this expansive and claustrophobic set in equal manner. The film pays more attention to the psychological deterioration of Betty than being a run of the mill procedural. As ever with Argento, mood is key — the hustle and bustle of the set, the pressure on her taking the lead, not to mention the mounting toll on her after witnessing horrific murders with the killer still on the loose. It’s fairly ludicrous as it goes that things continue, a realization for the audience that further feeds into the madness of it all. Argento ramps up this insanity, working in his vibrant, unhinged creativity that ensures Opera lingers long in the mind.
The Package
The release delivers a “brand new 2016 2K scan with over 45 hours of extensive color correction done in the states.” The result is undeniably impressive. The image is sharp; detail is impressive, giving depth and texture to the film, while colors pop. The visual hallmarks of Argento are strongly represented. A few scratches and specks can be seen, but their impact is fleeting and very minimal. Special features include:
- Brand new 2016 2k scan with over 45 hours of extensive color correction
- Rare interview with director Dario Argento never-before released to U.S. audiences: An engaging talk with Argento, who talks up Opera as one of his best films. He divulges details on his inspiration for the film, his aspirations while making it, issues during production (notably his conflict with star Christina Marsillach), and numerous technical aspects of the production. A great feature.
- Brand new interview with star William McNamara: The actor shares his experience in a film where he was “cast for his good looks.” It’s interesting to hear an American, and first time actor, share his insights into Giallo filmmaking and other quirks of Italian culture/people. Hearing how Opera has influenced his career over the past 30+ years is also a highlight.
- Brand new 5.1 soundtrack: An eclectic collection of artists contribute to a brooding soundtrack, which sounds great.
- Original Trailer
The Bottom Line
While Opera’s story feels looser than Argento’s more exulted fare, it’s a surprise it isn’t spoken of with similar reverence as Tenebrae or Suspiria. There’s a confidence to his direction here that adds impact to his distinct aesthetic and tone, showcasing his macabre creativity with a theatrical flourish. It’s a very well put together, and a very welcome package from Doppelgänger and Scorpion Releasing.
Opera is available via Doppelgänger and Scorpion Releasing from Jan 23rd, 2018.
About Doppelgänger Releasing:
The genre label of Music Box Films, Doppelgänger Releasing launched in 2013 and kicked off its slate with EDDIE: THE SLEEPWALKING CANNIBAL, followed by the Slamdance award-winner 100 BLOODY ACRES, Santiago Segura’s action-comedy TORRENTE series and Fabrice Du Welz’s psychosexual thriller ALLELUIA, winner of four awards including Best Picture at Fantastic Fest 2014. Recent releases include the Blu-ray debut of Wes Craven’s 1978 cult classic SUMMER OF FEAR, and upcoming Blu-ray releases include Dario Argento’s OPERA, THE CHURCH, and THE SECT. For more information, please visit www.musicboxfilms.com/doppelganger-releasing.