Suspiria is one of my favorite and as mentionned by egman :
This film is heavily invested in visuals, so much so that I think people who enjoy silent cinema may have an easier coming to this film.
As a photographer I have been heavily impressed by this film (I wouldn't say inspired, that's not true), the framing, the use of colors and as a movie lover by it's editing which is really simple but so effective (from the opening door at the airport arrival to the ending).
That is really a film where the story is more told thru visuals than dialogues. Of course, the music plays its part, but try to watch this film with the sound off and you'll be able to follow everything (i'm pushing a little bit, but not that much...) from beginning to end. On the DVD side of things, a score only audio track could have been a really nice idea for this particular film. This could have been the opportunity to taste cinema on only two of its levels : pictures and music.
The use of dramatic colors is so pushed and the framing so tight that the psychological impact is very strong. What is shown sometimes counts less that the way it is shown. Reminds me of painting, some gruesome pieces by Francis Bacon. You see a situation but after a while only the framing of colors stand in your mind, and fear or sorrow comes in.
Definitly an important movie to see. If you haven't seen it yet, run to your rental, pick the AnchorBay edition (with or without the documentary), and discover the thrilling use of colors, framing, pacing.
(don't ask about the plot, enjoy the silly story, and most of all : Jessica Harper...
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