MovieChat Forums > Profondo rosso (1976) Discussion > An interesting film, but far from 'great...

An interesting film, but far from 'great'

posted 12 years ago by Gotensive
9 replies | jump to latest

Just finished watching this, and found it interesting enough that it kept my interest throughout, however I did have some problems with it. One, I thought the actors in particular were awful, and the dubbing done very badly. I also think the music often killed what could have been very suspenseful scenes. The pacing was a little slow as well, especially in comparison to the much more rapidly paced Tenebre. I also didn't care for the ending, though I won't go into detail about it to avoid spoilers. Overall, it's a decent watch, but it's hard to believe that this film is rated so much higher than the superior "Tenebre".

[–] shanesteel27 12 years ago

Have to agree with your comment. Movie was ok but not great. After hearing so much hype about the music i was disappointed. They just used the same song over and over again and it wasnt a suspense building song. Felt like i was watching a 70s cop show not a horror.

[–] PACman66 12 years ago

I'm also in agreement. But my biggest problem with the movie was that I watched it under false pretenses. This film is listed in the book "101 Horror Films You Must See Before You Die..." (Operative word here being "Horror...) And this film wasn't any more a horror film then a Dirty Harry movie is horror.
Now that said... As a crime drama, I found this movie well made... Exceptional.
As a horror movie... It sucked ass... Because this ISN'T a horror movie. By any stretch of the imagination.

Trust me,
Swan
My, you're nosey, aren't you?

[–] AnneOnymous 12 years ago

This is an interesting comment. What is your definition of a horror movie, then, and why does Deep Red fall wide of the mark? What would you say is an exceptional horror film,, and what makes it different to and better than DR?

[–] PACman66 12 years ago

TO ME...

A horror movie is:

1. Something supernatural, like ghosts or vampires.

2. Graphic violence ie. Saw, Hostel.

3. Something that scares you, doesn't need to be either of the above!

Psycho (Original)
Halloween (Original)
Night of the Living dead/Dawn of the dead (Original)
Scream

It does not have to be supernatural to create a good movie, 3 of those films above only have humans as the killers, that is more apt for a horror, since people are real and there are people in the world that kill, it is closer to home then Zombies/Vampires, although they can still be just as terrifying.

And, it's a film that invokes very very negative emotions -- Be it fear, disgust, or even anger or sadness.

Deep Red was (in my opinion) a gory Columbo episode, with the part of Columbo being played by a musician rather then a police lieutenant.

I can't deny the IMDB calls it a horror film, and it's in the aforementioned "101 Horror Movies" book. It's just that, TO ME... This film isn't unlike any detective/crime/police/action movie... That were so commonplace throughout the 70's. The fact that the murderer hung little dolls around and played some kid's music album made it strange... But not horrific.
This was "Crime/Drama/Thriller/Mystery/Suspense. It's a GREAT "whodunit!"

Don't get me wrong...
I thought the film was thought provoking, beautifully shot, expertly directed with great acting and a cool storyline.
But just labeling this film "horror" doesn't make it so.
That's my only gripe.

It seems "horror" is as ambiguous as the weather. What may be too hot for one person, may be just right for another.
I'm not pooping on anyone who thinks this movie is a horror film... But to me, if this was a horror film, then also put up the Dirty Harry films, Death Wish,
Lethal Weapon... Any "crime drama."
Oh.. Anne... I took the liberty to look for another comment on this movie from you, and I can see that you thought this was the most frightening movie you've ever seen, scared the poop outta you.. Etc, etc, etc.
Movies are just like food... Some like mushrooms... Some don't.
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Trust me,
Swan
My, you're nosey, aren't you?

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] PACman66 12 years ago

I'm sorry you feel the need to denigrate me because I don't agree with you. Call me weird... I require my horror movies to scare me... Not bore me.
I'm not disagreeing with you... I just think those that came after "Deep Red" really improved on the formula.

Trust me,
Swan
My, you're nosey, aren't you?

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] AnneOnymous 12 years ago

C'mon, it's waaay better than Colombo! At least you don't know the culprit within the first 2 minutes (unless you are really sharp-eyed).

I'm personally not a horror aficionado by any means and I'm not really bothered about categories and labels; many films are a crossover of genres, anyway. If you were expecting horror but were disappointed when you weren't scared, I can imagine you might be annoyed, even if you appreciated other aspects of the film, but you still enjoyed it, right? I once watched A History of Violence, thinking it was going to be a gritty drama/thriller, but I spent the duration shaking with laughter...

[–] IrinaOma 10 years ago

I agree. It was far not as great as Tenebre, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, Trauma, Phenomena or Suspiria.