Dario Argento is a legend and brilliant filmmaker, a unique artist with a vision like no one else. Suspiria is one of the greatest horror films of all time, but not everything he’s done has come close to the bar he set with that film. There’s plenty of division in the horror community over which of his other films have stood the test of time and which should be forgotten. One particular film that falls into that category is 1985’s Phenomena.
I have always had a soft spot for the picture, having seen it at an early age. Many elements have stuck with me most of my life, and I can’t deny its influence. I’d seen the U.S. cut of the film known as Creepers, which was heavily cut. Synapse has put together the ultimate edition of Phenomena by releasing the 2-disc 4K Ultra set that includes all three versions of the film, making it impossible to pass up.
Teenager Jennifer Corvino (Jennifer Connelly) is sent to a private Swiss academy by her father, who is too busy to look after her. The Richard Wagner Academy for Girls is a major change for the girl and isn’t an easy transition. The headmistress, Frau Bruckner (Daria Nicolodi), is a bit of a monster.
Jennifer has the unique ability to communicate with insects which proves to be invaluable since there’s a killer on the loose claiming victim after victim. Dr. McGregor (Donald Pleasence) is fascinated with her talent and asks her to help find him. As the body count grows and time runs out, she will have to race to uncover his identity before becoming a victim.
The Creepers version of the film, which runs only eighty-three minutes, moves far too quickly and is basically a highlight reel for the Italian or International version of the film. As a kid, I loved the Creepers version, but later in life, when I became an Argento fan, I grew to appreciate even more the slow burn of the more extended Phenomena versions. There’s a great visual essay included on the disc which compares all three, which helps to get a better understanding of them.
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The last version of the film I owned was the old Anchor Bay DVD set. It was nice to see all three collected here, previously available on their Blu-ray. Seeing the Italian version in 4K was a bit eye-opening, and it gave me a new appreciation for the film.
It’s not quite as arty as some of the director’s other work, but it plays a bit like a music video. How can you go wrong with a horror movie that features Motorhead, Iron Maiden, and Simon Boswell on the soundtrack? You can’t. And, of course, Connelly fans will want to see the picture since it would be only her second film.
The special features on these two discs are impressive, even if much of it has been available on previous versions. There are commentaries, a feature-length documentary, interviews, a music video, and so much more.
If you already have the 2-disc Blu-ray, I wouldn’t rush out and grab Phenomena. On the other hand, if you have a DVD copy, now is the time to upgrade. Synapse has brought a beautiful disc to market, and you get your money’s worth. Check it out on the official site here!
