Inferno (Dario Argento, 1980) (Merged)

[jacksmith1983]

In my opinion this is Dario Argento's best film by miles (I will probaly be lynched for saying that).

We really need this on UK DVD.

[the13thman]

Last I heard 20th Century Fox had the rights, and the previous VHS release was cut (not a film for cat lovers all the same) so it doesn't look good.

But who knows?

[Paul WJM]

I seem to have a hard time figuring out what the hell was going on half the time. Stunning music at the end though.

Actually I really love that scene where the lead woman swims underneath that basement place - he really captured atmosphere with that sequence.

[Steve L]

I rate this film as Argento's masterpiece. So many highlights: the basement scene mentioned by Paul WJM, that stunning scene in the music lecture, Kazanian's death, those broken ornaments that signal another death is immminent, the wonderful, fiery finale....... great cast, too, with Miracle, Nicolodi, Valli, Giorgi, Sacha Pitoeff, Veronica Lazar, Ania Pieroni - we've even got Fulvio Mingozzi again taking the role of cab driver in an eerie SUSPIRIA connection. Terrific score, too, with Keith Emerson joined by that wonderful music taken from Verdi's "Nabucco." I own the Fox video, the PAL laserdisc and, best of all, the superb Anchor Bay Region 1 disc. Fingers crossed INFERNO makes it to Region 2 in the not-too distant future.

[Fei Fong Wong]

Another vote for Inferno. Along with Suspiria it's Argento's finest work. I really wish he would get back on track and finally complete the "Three Mothers" Trilogy. Sadly it looks like it will never happen though.

[jacksmith1983]

Call me crazy but if AB UK released the cut version Fox released here on VHS it would not be the end of the world.

None of the violence was cut, the only minimal cuts were to scenes of a cat eating a mouse and a cat being bashed up a chair (I think), I am not really bothered about the abscence of these few seconds. Due to animal protections policies they could not be restored anyway.

[the13thman]

Yes, all I remember being cut is the cat stuff, and perhaps an 'eyes hanging out' bit of gore (long time since I saw the cut version) but the cat's head bashing on the chair makes that particular scene nastier I think, and the death of the perpetrator of that heinous act more deserved.

Like you say though, cuts to Inferno here were very minimal (and are likely to remain) but I reckon they should be restored in principle (a cat eating a mouse, I mean come on!)

[jacksmith1983]

No, I am sure all the gore was left in. Sonofabitch Ferman must have noticed the artistic merit of the film.

Cats eating mice does go on in real-life so I do see your point. However there is a difference between a cat eating a mouse and the possibility a helpless mouse was thrown to the cat by the film-makers. Thats not nature its exploitative. I think the BBFC would still be of this opinion.

I have ordered the AB US double-bill this weekend which includes this and Phenomena both uncut.

[the13thman]

You never know with the BBFC, though I’d like to know how they came to the conclusion (and they must have) that the mouse in question was unnaturally mistreated/murdered – other than the fact that a cat is seen chewing on it. Do they bother asking the filmmakers I wonder?

Phenomena featured many insects which must have been treated well to still feature in the UK version (did the BBFC require evidence of this?), Opera’s ravens may have been knocked about a bit but seem to be OK for the UK - maybe the mouse was just unlucky like the lizard in Deep Red and caught Dario on a bad day?

[jacksmith1983]

Dario Argento is quite conceivably a big enough nutter to have had the whole cast and crew waiting around for a cat to really catch a mouse so you make a good point. Its not exactly up there with Cannibal Holocaust whatever way you look at it.

[anephric]

Hi,

Since you're currently releasing all Anchor Bay's Region 1 Argento Collection over here, any chance of Inferno being released? I've waited an absolute age for it.

Hopefully,
Anephric

[MarcMorris]

As Fox own UK rights!

[agent cooper]

has this film ever been released on dvd ? i used to have the old fox pre-cert vhs but alas thats long gone..really love to see this again.

[jacksmith1983]

Fox have the UK rights so its highly unlikely this will get an uncut UK release anytime soon.

If you have multi-regional capability get the R1 disc from Anchor Bay US, it is fully uncut and the print quality is amazing!

[Narshty]

The fact it'll be cut has nothing to do with Fox - it's the fact that it's got live animal cruelty in it that has to be removed by law.

[the13thman]

Yeah, not a film for cat lovers (or mouse lovers), but if you go for the R1 it's fair to say you can easily blink and miss Mr Mouse's offending final performance, or Mr Cat banging his head on the chair (and therefore the added emphasis on how nasty the doomed cat-hater was) . I couldn't tell the difference compared to my cut Fox tape first time I saw the DVD (must have blinked), so if that version comes out it's no great loss in the end.

[jacksmith1983]

But Fox would have to go some to match the image quality of the Anchor Bay release.

[Narshty]

Most of Fox's back catalogue transfers have been excellent. I was watching Vanishing Point just last night - magnificent work.

[marc coliver]

Does any body know if there is a R2 release of Inferno avaliable or planned either that or Argento's OPERA.

Also sorry to start so quizzicle but does anyone know of a release for Hellraiser 6 Hellseeker in the Uk (i know it will probably be rubbish but i still feel i should see it)

And also is the Evil Dead version on the Box set the full uncut version???

[the13thman]

No R2 of Inferno yet, Fox own the rights to that one, so write to them if you want to see it.

There is already a R2 of Opera out here from Arrow, uncut.

Hellraiser:Hellseeker is very similar to Hellraiser:Inferno, not much better either, expect it will come out in R2 via Dimension/Buena Vista eventually. Two more sequels are planned, would you believe it, hopefully they will not have the now-usual plot of someone wandering around getting more and more confused until Pinhead turns up at the end just to explain that they are in hell.

All versions of Evil Dead are fully uncut in the UK on DVD.