This weeks departure into the colourful realm of promotional posters sees us exploring the dark and baroque universe of Italy's premier director of horror Dario Argento. Argento's cinematic offerings abound with exaggerated stylisation and a ravishing visual vitality that surely bodes well for the poster images attached to the films. Argento has made a tremendous career out of the narrative conventions of the giallo or murder mystery format, beautifully adapting this structure into a universe of phantasmagorical fantastique with such extravagant and illogical works of art like Suspiria (1977) Inferno (1980) and Phenomena (1985). Attacked for perceived misogyny and ridiculed for storytelling short comings Argento has rode these critical waves with aplomb and is still writing and directing films forty years after his debut picture The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970). Argento's loyalty to the giallo form is admirable and commendable, and despite a less than rigorous attitude to plot development, causal logic, and continuity, Argento has maintained a remarkable consistency in the manner in which tells his stories on screen. It is natural that any director will experience peaks and troughs over a forty year career, but Argento's devotion to the visual possibilities of the horror genre is without parallel. Without any further ado The Celluloid Highway is proud to present the filmography of Dario Argento in poster form - Enjoy!
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970) - US poster
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage #2 - Italian poster
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage #3 - Spanish poster
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage #4 - Spanish poster
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Cat O' Nine Tails (1971) - Italian Poster
Cat O' Nine Tails #2 - US poster
Cat O' Nine Tails #3 - West German poster
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Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971) - US poster
Four Flies on Grey Velvet #2 - US/UK poster
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Deep Red aka Profondo Rosso (1975)
Deep Red #2 - French Poster
Deep Red #3 - Italian Poster
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Suspiria (1977)
Suspiria #2 - French poster
Suspiria #3 - Japanese poster
Suspiria #4
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Inferno (1980)
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Tenebre (1982)
Tenebre #2 - Japanese poster
Tenebre #3 - Spanish poster
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Phenomena aka Creepers (1985)
Phenomena #2 - US poster
Phenomena #3
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Opera aka Terror at the Opera (1987)
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Two Evil Eyes (1990)
Two Evil Eyes #2 - French Poster
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Trauma (1993)
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The Stendhal Syndrome (1995)
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Phantom of the Opera (1998) - French poster
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Sleepless (2001) - Italian poster
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The Card Player (2004) - Italian poster
The Card Player #2
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Mother of Tears (2007)
Mother of Tears #2
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Giallo (2009)
Giallo #2
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Note: I was unable to find a decent poster image for Argento's departure into historical territory The Five Days of Milan (1973).
Ahh, now we're talking Shaun! I'm fascinated by Argento, despite only having seen three of his films. Though I do have most of his films ready and waiting to be watched. Some of these posters are just beautiful, particularly the Italian Cat O' Nine Tails, the first Deep Red, and the Italian Card Player. The Card Player was the first Argento film I saw, a fair few years back, due to the poster. Unfortunately, if memory serves correctly, it wasn't particularly great.
ReplyDeleteCheers Liam! I remember seeing The Card Player in London at FrightFest (I also saw Deep Red on the big screen)and I was gutted at how poor it was. I'd travelled all the way from Hereford, and to see Argento's new film was the main reason. It hasnt grown on me at all since, though some have bravely tried to argue its merits. It isnt his worst film, but it isnt far off. I'm glad you enjoyed the gallery - I think my two favourites are the US poster of Phenomena under its alternative title of Creepers and the first Four Flies on Grey Velvet poster.
ReplyDeleteIm partial to ::cough:: Opera, love the motif and always felt the art for the film was as devious as it was anxiety-ridden. Also love the Deep Red posters, easily the most violent in the lot!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great timeline and makes you realize that his most recent films really have gone down the crapper.
ReplyDeleteNothing like to have chill night and to watch such great movies.
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