I watched this movie on one of Mill Creek Entertainment 50 Movie Packs (Chilling edition). Even though the packaging advertises 126 minutes, this version is only 98 minutes. Supposedly, the longer, unedited version is better. I found myself growing impatient with this 98 minute version.
The core of the story is a musicians witnesses a murder of his neighbor from afar, and becomes involved with a reporter in the investigation. He comes clued into to an old piece of folklore, and tries to track down its roots, and death follows in his trail.
The story is not bad, fairly typical seventies fare, with a police tolerance for civilian interference in an investigation at an all time high. Cinematography and music are both OK, the primary flaw is the synchronization between the two. The Goblins are a lot of fun to listen to, as always. Dario Argento controls the camera in ways that would make modern directors envious (and he has surely been emulated since). It is however, not as cohesive as it could be. Plus, the liberties taken with suspension of disbelief are quite liberal.
The conclusion is not the most logical, but Dario A was always more about a bloody thrill weaved into a competent story line and not much else.
Overall, not a bad movie,though not terribly remarkable either. Certainly worth a watch on video, when you can take short breaks. While it may not entertain to mesmerize you for its entire length, it will have you coming back.
The core of the story is a musicians witnesses a murder of his neighbor from afar, and becomes involved with a reporter in the investigation. He comes clued into to an old piece of folklore, and tries to track down its roots, and death follows in his trail.
The story is not bad, fairly typical seventies fare, with a police tolerance for civilian interference in an investigation at an all time high. Cinematography and music are both OK, the primary flaw is the synchronization between the two. The Goblins are a lot of fun to listen to, as always. Dario Argento controls the camera in ways that would make modern directors envious (and he has surely been emulated since). It is however, not as cohesive as it could be. Plus, the liberties taken with suspension of disbelief are quite liberal.
The conclusion is not the most logical, but Dario A was always more about a bloody thrill weaved into a competent story line and not much else.
Overall, not a bad movie,though not terribly remarkable either. Certainly worth a watch on video, when you can take short breaks. While it may not entertain to mesmerize you for its entire length, it will have you coming back.