Plot: What’s it about?
As with most Argento movies, Inferno relies on suspense and atmosphere to fuel the film, so I am afraid to give an in depth synopsis, since I don’t want to ruin the film for first timer viewers. But also, I want to provide some level of storyline, so you know whether or not it seems like something you would enjoy. As I am pulled between telling too much and telling to little, I will perform what I feel is the lesser of two evils, and tell you too little, so that you can discover the thrills of the film first hand. So, what follows is a very brisk synopsis, the film itself is much more complex and revealing that my description entails, trust me on that one. When the secrets of “The Three Mothers” are unlocked, so is the evil that reigns within them, which is bad news for all the world’s people. Once the juice is loose, the evil begins to spread into every crack and crevice it can find, and there is little hope of the evil being stopped. But as always, there’s a sliver of hope the evil can be dealt with, but how many lives will fall to the wayside before that happens, if it happens?
This release is another installment in Anchor Bay’s Dario Argento Collection, which has become one of the cornerstones of my disc collection. This ongoing series offers some titles that are difficult to impossible to find on home video otherwise, and then issues them, some for the very first time, in their complete and uncut form. In short, a European horror fan’s dream come true! Inferno is one of Argento’s films that usually gets pushed to the side, even by Argento fans, in favor of more higher profile titles. This is a shame, because this is a very entertaining and gruesome flick, well worth the time for any horror fan, especially an Argento fanatic. Some of the more icky scenes were planned out by another European horror master, Mario Bava, who kicked in some support for Argento on this film. I have a soft spot for the fiery scenes in this movie, as they really set an eerie atmosphere for the events we see depicted. If you’re a horror nut or just love Argento, this is a release that you need to look into, it’s a giallo classic.
This film was written and directed by master horror creator, Dario Argento. Argento is a legend in the genre of horror, but his movies are often laced with mystery and suspense. While I don’t think this is one of his best films, I think Inferno is too often overlooked in favor of movies such as Deep Red or Suspiria. This certainly has some of the most gruesome scenes, including some that won’t be etched from memory any time soon. The only drawback with this movie is the writing, which I feel is below Argento’s usual standards. But the performances and atmosphere pick up the slack, so don’t overlook this fine horror creation. The lead role in this film is played by Leigh McCloskey, who manages to hold his own, although he does have scenes taken from under him by some costars. McCloskey (Just One Of The Guys, Dirty Laundry) gives one of the best performances of his career…but then again, that’s not saying much, is it? The supporting cast in this film includes Eleonora Giorgi (A Spiral Of Mist, Safari Rally), James Fleetwood, Irene Miracle (Puppet Master, 2090), Alida Vali (Fatal Frames, Silent Love), and Daria Nicolodi (Deep Red, Scarlet Diva).
Video: How does it look?
Inferno is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. You’re simply not going to find a version of Inferno that looks nearly this good, hands down this is as good as it’s gonna get. The colors are vibrant, flesh tones are natural, and the flames look flashy and true. Contrast is also good, with no consistency issues, and very high visible detail level.
Audio: How does it sound?
This release contains a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 track, which provides a good audio atmosphere, although the track is somewhat limited, since the original audio was mono, and all. The surrounds see some action, but the overall punch is not as strong as a modern track would be. But that’s to be expected from a mono remaster, and I am pleased with the audio presentation here. Nothing is lost in the mix, music sounds very good, and dialogue is crisp and easy to understand.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release contains liner notes, talent files, the theatrical trailer, and an eight minute featurette which is actually an interview with Argento, who reveals some details about the production.
