Support NeoGAF

[creatchee]

Synapse Films is currently restoring Dario Argento's Suspiria, which I consider one the most beautiful looking horror films ever made, for a new Blu ray release later this year. They recently released some comparison shots of their working print vs an Italian Blu ray release from this year. The differences are staggering:

(Note: the top picture in each set is from the recent Blu ray and the bottom is the working print)

More pictures at the link:
http://synapse-films.com/news/suspiria-comparison-pictures/

Suspiria is unique, in that the actual processing of the film creates much of the atmospheres of what's going on on the screen. Argento used an old school Technicolor three color strip process that makes the colors so saturated that they seem to bleed through the screen (but in a good way). Unfortunately, this has been lost on previous home releases, which, while beautiful, haven't quite captured the feel of the original print in a theater. Synapse's release seems like it might be able to change that.


EDIT: Fixed broken picture links

 

[Garmonbozia]

Every frame of the movie is a painting. Easily one of the best uses of color in any movie ever.

 

[LewieP]

Oooh.

 

[creatchee]

Every frame of the movie is a painting. Easily one of the best uses of color in any movie ever.

Totally agree. I really would have loved to have seen a fresh print in the 70's in a real theater with a traditional projector and a full crowd reacting to it. I mean, I'll settle for a restored Blu ray, but the original release must have been something else.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Stunning.

 

[Violence Jack]

So very much bought. I'm meeting Argento at a horror convention in May for the 40th anniversary of Suspiria. I'm assuming this probably won't be out before then so I can get him to sign it.

I hope the remake brings back this use of color.

 

[Count Dookkake]

So very much bought. I'm meeting Argento at a horror convention in May for the 40th anniversary of Suspiria. I'm assuming this probably won't be out before then so I can get him to sign it.

I hope the remake brings back this use of color.

Debating if I'm gonna go this year. Funds are tight, but that Suspiria reunion is very tempting. Would also be nice to see my old pal Frank Henenlotter.

 

[Violence Jack]

Debating if I'm gonna go this year. Funds are tight, but that Suspiria reunion is very tempting. Would also be nice to see my old pal Frank Henenlotter.

You go to Texas Frightmare also? I'm only going for one day, but I'm hoping to meet Henenlotter and see that Fright Night reunion.

 

[Scavenger]

The Synapse restoration colors look great, but I do wonder if the colors are correct because the TLEFilms restoration is supposed to be an accurate representation of the Technicolor film.

Regarding the TLEFilms restoration

This restoration, currently available in Italy only, but coming shortly also in Germany and, later, other territories, was explicitly NOT ordered and made to create just another new master for home video - the restoration was made by us for PRESERVATION, so to preserve the film in precisely the way it was originally made back in 1977 for future generations to have an exact reference of the original Technicolor image and sound and was made at the wishes and behalf of the world rights owner.

 

[A-V-B]

The Synapse restoration colors look great, but I do wonder if the colors are correct because the TLEFilms restoration is supposed to be an accurate representation of the Technicolor film.

Regarding the TLEFilms restoration

Are there any screenshots of the TLEFilms restoration?

 

[mjc]

Holy smokes, those colors.

 

[HyperZone<3]

their Tenebrae HD release was fantastic. I'll trust that they do things right here.

 

[The Elite]

Love this movie. Will buy.

 

[cbrun44]

I am so ready for this. So ready.

It's been years since I've seen Suspiria and won't again until I get this Blu-ray.

 

[Scavenger]

Are there any screenshots of the TLEFilms restoration?

The screenshots above compare the Synapse restoration to the recent Italian Blu-ray which uses the TLEFilms restoration. More screenshots of the Italian Blu-ray here: http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=9917&d2=4996&c=2036

TLEFilms 4K resolution screenshots:
http://www.tlefilms.com/cinefacts/SUSPIRIA/suspiria_4KUHD_R1_042_pic.jpg
http://www.tlefilms.com/cinefacts/SUSPIRIA/suspiria_4KUHD_R4_460_pic.jpg
http://www.tlefilms.com/cinefacts/SUSPIRIA/suspiria_4KUHD_R4_460_pic2_.jpg
http://www.tlefilms.com/cinefacts/SUSPIRIA/suspiria_4KUHD_R6_693_pic.jpg

 

[Diprosalic]

i hated that movie so much.

 

[Brian_FETO]

Looks great! Was tempted by their Tenebrae and Phenonema rereleases but I already own the DVDs....... hard to justify the premium price, despite the obvious improvements and worth of the package. Phenomena had the full soundtrack too with Valley, the GOAT song

i hated that movie so much.

Boooooooooooooooo

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Discotheque]

It looks as beautiful as ever but what's up with the drastic color change. Neon green becomes blue? Doesn't seem like it was the original

 

[berzeli]

Jesus if I was Synapse I would never had released those screens, the restoration is probably a work in process but if you were interested in presenting the best possible scenario those caps sure isn't it.
There is a tonne of macroblocking basically everywhere but to illustrate:

There also seems to be some black crush going on but I'm not going to wade into a fight over the colours and what is/isn't the most accurate representation of what it looked like in cinemas because I haven't seen a 35 mm print of it.

 

[Skiptastic]

i hated that movie so much.

lol I did too, but I do admit that it looked pretty amazing.

 

[Seiryoden]

I haven't thought about this film in such a long time, but looking at the shots in the OP brings it all back. Incredibly striking stuff.

 

[sixteen-bit]

these still look pretty neat

 

[vio]

I like the blu-ray version better.

 

[Hex]

Really looking forward to this.
I may bite on the upcoming italian release as a hold over as it is also using a new restoration.
Synapse is also teasing the chance at a 4k UHD blu release when this hits.

 

[Hex]

Looks great! Was tempted by their Tenebrae and Phenonema rereleases but I already own the DVDs....... hard to justify the premium price, despite the obvious improvements and worth of the package. Phenomena had the full soundtrack too with Valley, the GOAT song


Boooooooooooooooo

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The Synapse release of Demons is amazing.
Phenomena was also a great release.
I still have not opened Tenebrae and popped it in yet though I know it has received some shade.

 

[Dantooine]

The film is a work of art that's for sure, but I'm not convinced by those screens. Crushed blacks and greens shifted to blue. I'll stick with the current BluRay.

 

[Count Dookkake]

i hated that movie so much.

lol I did too, but I do admit that it looked pretty amazing.

These are bad people.