Dario Argento was born on 7 September 1940. So he turns 85 years old today.
I’m a big fan of his work. He makes really interesting films at the same time that he is a craftsman. That’s a rare combination! But I don’t get too excited about him. That’s not his fault. Too many cinephiles see him as an art director. So when most people tell me they like his work, I assume it is for all the wrong reasons. (Note: “wrong reasons” equals “not my reasons.”)
Dario Argento started as a screenwriter. He even got story credit on Once Upon a Time in the West. He directed his first film in 1970, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. It’s a remarkable film regardless. But for a first film? It’s a miracle.
Like many horror directors, Argento has a trilogy that isn’t. “Three Mothers” is made up of Suspiria (1977), Inferno (1980), and Mother of Tears (2007). All three films are excellent and well worth watching. Suspiria, of course, is a psychotronic essential.
From 1970 through 1990, Lucio Fulci directed 28 films. Argento hasn’t directed that many films in his entire career. And during that time, he directed only eleven. But that does explain why I can’t think of a single unworthy Argento film whereas there are a few of Fulci’s that I wish he hadn’t bothered with.
Having said that, I think you can celebrate Dario Argento’s 85th birthday with any of his films. But let me suggest one of his films you may have missed, Phenomena (1985). I tend to like anything with Jennifer Connelly. I don’t know any young actor who so well projects a sense of generational sadness. And she is fantastic paired with Donald Pleasence. This film is a lot of fun and I think is the ultimate way to say “Happy birthday!”
I’m assuming here that everyone has watched Suspiria. If you haven’t see it, you absolutely must watch it right now!
Image cropped from Dario Argento Signign Session by Crossing Europe Film Festival Linz/ under CC BY 2.0.