Inferno (1980)

Dario Argento’s Inferno is supposed to be a sequel (loosely) for Susupira. It does share the bright red walls and electric blue windows, sweet sythny score and a plot that has to do with curses and witches and such. But, really thats about it.

Here a young lady finds a book about a series of haunted/cursed buildings and the “Three Mothers” who inhabit them and are wicked evil. She shoots off a letter to her brother about it and everyone who comes in contact with the book or her letter meet a terrible death. Beheadings, getting stabbed in the neck, rats, more stabbings, fire, strangulation. The works. The Three Mothers are not stoked on this book being found or their evil houses being walked around in. The film really works up to a crazy climax.

Now, this has to be one of the more non-linear (read: CRAZY mess) horror movies I’ve ever seen, and it is gorgeous. Lots of great lighting, and editing. Now, the soundtrack by Keith Emerson may attract some prog types, but in my book: Emerson is no Goblin.

There is a scene where a  guy stuffs a cat into a bag of other cats to drown, and I was pleased when he got his real nasty-like down by a river (by a random character who is never seen or referenced again!). I’ve heard that Argento was sick with hepatitis during the shooting and had to direct while laying down, and that legendary Italian director Mario Bava (Black Sunday, Planet of the Vampires and tons more) was in charge of some effects and of the 2nd unit.

I would recommend this to “art house” horror fans and lovers of Italian film, but not to gorehounds looking for genuine scares. Its a lot of fun to look at.