Terror At The Opera

From the undisputed master of Italian horror, Dario Argento, comes one of the most shocking ‘Giallos’ ever created – ‘Terror At The Opera’. Originally made in 1987, Argento’s slice of ‘opera macabre’ has now been released on DVD as a special edition featuring two edits of the film – the European and the US version.

Not to be confused with Argento’s later version of ‘Phantom Of The Opera’, this earlier opera-themed shocker concerns Betty (Cristina Marsillach), a young and inexperienced opera singer who gets her big chance starring in a production of Verdi’s ‘Macbeth’. Since ‘Macbeth’ is referred to as ‘the cursed play’ amongst theatre circles, why should an opera version be any different? As it turns out, it is even more cursed then ten plays put together and what’s more, it features sinister ravens! Whereas in the famous Gaston Leroux novel (and subsequent stage- and screen adaptations) it was a crashing crystal chandelier that caused pandemonium in the opera house, here it’s a conspiracy of predatory ravens that attack an unsuspecting audience in the Parma Opera House.

Although ‘Terror At…’ is partly homage to the Phantom Of The Opera story, certain similarities tend to be distorted by the maestro. Yes, there is of course a mysterious phantom as well, but he is anything but protective of Betty neither is he interested in her musical talents. In fact, he repeatedly kidnaps and releases her again, all the while increasing his sadistic and deadly games. His idea of playtime is taping needles to Betty’s eyelids, so she is unable to blink and forced to witness the gory ends of some of her colleagues. This being an Argento film, one can be assured of truly horrific and graphic violence, interspersed with operatic pomp and imaginative set pieces.

While the film boasts stunning cinematography by Oscar winning cameraman Ronnie Taylor (Gandhi) as well as musical contributions from Brian Eno, Bill Wyman and Claudio Simonetti, the DVD boasts an array of Extras and comes with an exclusive collector’s booklet plus poster. Who said opera is longwinded and boring?