stagefright

Something strange that I've noticed about the great Eurohorror titles is that there isn't one that I haven't enjoyed more the second time around. Michele Soavi's feature film debut (he had previously directed the Dario Argento documentary World of Horror) is one of the best examples of this. That isn't to say that I wasn't impressed the first time around, I just didn't know what to expect. A recent viewing though, allowed me to appreciate this masterpiece in all of its glory. This film is simply amazing, it seems as if Soavi took the best parts of John Carpenter's Halloween and Lamberto Bava's Demons and put together a one of a kind slasher experience. In a way such a simplified comparison of this film to other genre works isn't really fair; although elements and influence of the aforementioned films can be seen, Stage Fright is a good enough film to stand independantly from other genre fare.

Michele Soavi's entire body of genre work is quite impressive (unfortunately I've never been able to see his recent TV work in Italy). Stage Fright stands out so far as being his only horror film not to be dubbed a Demons installment at one time or another. There are several factors at work in the film's effectiveness; an energetic group of actors, great editing, hammering and intense musical score, and most of all - a fantastic director behind the camera. Soavi takes an entertaining but somewhat cliched script by writer/actor/Joe D'Amato collaborator George Eastman (as Lew Cooper) and turns it into what is easily one of the best made slashers of the era (and this is coming from a hug fan of 80s slashers!). Producer D'Amato (billed under his real name, Aristide Massaccessi) also deserves recognition for (among many other things) having faith in Soavi to bring him aboard. Soavi handles the material masterfully. Already he displays a style that, while reminiscent of the genre greats he has worked with, shows amazing skill and incredible potential.

As for the film itself, I think you can probably already tell: I'm crazy about it! We open with a very cool and imaginative sequence that let's you know you're in for a wild and unusual ride. Quickly one of the actesses injures her foot and is brought by the costume designer to the local mental institution (they're doctors too, right?). Here she learns of a famous killer, Irving Wallace, who years earlier cut up over a dozen actors in the theater. Before you know it, Wallace escapes and makes his way to the theater during rehearsal. When someone involved turns up dead the director doesn't miss a beat as he uses this as publicity, even going as far to alter the play to more closely resemble the tragic events. He locks everyone inside (unwittingly trapping them with Wallace) and begins intense rehearsals for a new closer deadline. All the while two cops are stationed outside to ensure that no psychopaths get in, including one that thinks he looks like James Dean played by Soavi himself.

I know how terribly stilted all of this might sound, but Soavi handles everything wonderfully. He keeps the pace up and every aspect of the story seems to work well. Now that the main body of action is set up, we are treated to some Demons-esque mayhem. I won't give away any of the murder setpieces, but let me assure you that they're all fantastic. This will give any gorehound enough to cheer for but is not sadistic or mean spirited enough to drive away a less seasoned audience. Don't take that as copping out though, there is plenty of blood and entrails to be found. The fun doesn't even end there, the film is no mere gorefest. Some of the chase scenes are as intense as anything to come out of the decade and a few sequences towards the end are so perfectly realized that Mario Bava himself would be impressed!

The first time I saw this film I thought the end was a little too silly, but after my recent revisit I have to say that I think it fits well. This film has such an almost carefree anything goes feel to it that it would have seemed a little incomplete without one last hurrah. This leads to a fitting conclusion and segue into the end credits that keeps the energy up. I can honestly say that I've rarely sat through a movie that I've had so much fun during and felt so fulfilled by afterwards. I urge everyone to check this movie out atleast twice! I didn't have nearly the level of appreciation for that I do now after my first viewing.

As for distribution, it's been on video for a while now. Recently it has been rereleased on DVD by Anchor Bay Entertainment. This release is exactly what this film needed! The sound and picture are virtually flawless. The music really comes to life so much more than it had previously. As for extras, it's a bit on the light side. All we have are a trailer and a (wel written) Soavi biography.. It would have been nice to see great supplements like they did for such favorites as The Beyond or Suspiria, but the most important part is the presentation and they certainly come through in this department.