Plot: What’s it about?
A man stalks the streets of Rome, with a long, black raincoat on and a sharp blade hidden underneath. This man hunts down young women and then slashes them to death, in a most brutal, sadistic fashion. No one has survived this human beast until now, when a woman is able to escape with her life, but not by much. This attack and potential murder was seen by Sam (Tony Musante), an American writer spending some time in Rome. He could have aided the woman in her escape, but he was trapped in some glass doors, rendering him helpless, but to watch. This would seem to be a real break in the case, but police are unable to move the case forward and as such, Sam decides to embark on his own mission. As this sick killer roams the streets, Sam tries to track him down and stop his madness, but which of the two will find themselves trapped first?
The debut film from horror master Dario Argento, this giallo is a well crafted thriller, but might leave some folks disappointed. I think most casual viewers assume all European horror is of the splatter variety, but that simply isn’t true. So if you’re a gorehound and just want to see the red stuff, this won’t be a movie you’ll be pleased with. You’ll see violence on screen, but it isn’t too blood soaked, though still effective, I think. This movie should appeal to fans of Argento’s skills with tension and visuals, as this movie has some terrific suspense and a superb atmosphere, very eerie and quite chilling at times. The images stick with you even after the credits have rolled, especially a few particular ones, like the long black coat and sharp knives. I find the pace to be just brisk enough to carry the material, but Argento never rushes, which allows the suspense to build and the audience to ponder what they’ve seen. I highly recommend this movie to fans of suspense & horror and of course, Argento fans will be most interested.
The films of Dario Argento seem to fall within the brackets of gore flicks or visual feasts, but both elements don’t come together often. His finest efforts combine the two to great ends of course, but more often than not, Argento uses more of one than another. In this film however, he seems to blend the two well and neither overuses either, which means the full impact is retained. I like Argento’s use of heavy gore and visuals in other films, but this is a change of pace, as he is more restrained it seems. That restraint could be present because this was his feature film debut, but I think Argento holds back due to the material, which needs the treatment Argento gives it. This was his first movie and isn’t his finest effort, but The Bird with the Crystal Plumage is still a solid flick and one fans should add to their collections. Other films directed by Argento include Deep Red, The Stendhal Syndrome, Tenebre, Suspiria, and The Black Cat. The cast includes Suzy Kendall (Torso, Psycho-Circus), Tony Musante (The Yards, The Grissom Gang), and Eva Renzi (Taste of Excitement, The Pink Jungle).
Video: How does it look?
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. This film is well handled in this new transfer, but don’t expect miracles. This movie will never be a pristine, eye popping visual affair, but this transfer provides a natural, film-like look that fans should appreciate. The jump from the DVD isn’t dynamic, but the image is more refined and film-like, which is enough in this case. The detail is improved, colors look accurate, and in short, this is a welcome upgrade. Just keep your expectations realistic and you’ll be satisfied.
Audio: How does it sound?
A DTS HD 7.1 option is present, but you wouldn’t know it from the audio experience. The movie sounds good, but the audio is rather basic and bland. The front channels shoulder most of the burden, which works out well, while the surrounds kick in here and there to bolster atmosphere. I do think more surround use could have enhanced the experience, but this remains a natural overall audio treatment. No problems surface of note, while the basics are covered and that is about it. Not a memorable soundtrack, but it gets the job done. This disc also includes a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 option, a Dolby Digital 5.1 EX soundtrack, and Italian language track, and English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
All of the extras from the Special Edition are back, which is good news for fans. You can check out interviews with star Eva Renzi, cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, composer Ennio Morricone, and director Dario Argento. None of these interviews are in depth, but each provides a unique perspective and some worthwhile thoughts. You can also listen to audio comments from authors Alan Jones and Kim Newman, both of whom have penned books on horror cinema. The session is academic, as this is all researched material, but both are enjoyable speakers. So if you’ve read books and watched interviews about Argento, then you’ve heard a lot of this before, but the track is still a decent listen. This release also includes two television spots, as well as two of the film’s theatrical trailers.
