Director - Michael Haneke
The film that put Haneke on the map. Two young men take a family hostage in their summer home. Really uncomfortable to watch despite the fact that almost none of the violence happens on screen. By far and away the best film to deal with one of Haneke’s major obsessions - the depiction of violence in films and how the audience reacts to it. Haneke doesn’t make bad films. Essential viewing.
Director - Dario Argento
Arguably Argento’s masterpiece, this is a step away from his Giallo roots and into the world of full-on horror. An American ballet dancer turns up for her first day at her new school in Germany only to find that everything is a little upside down. Oh and a couple of students have been brutally murdered (in one of Argento’s greatest set-pieces). Witches, huge Goblin soundtrack, lots of rain, cinematography that you sink into and a script that only just hangs together. Horror films never looked this good again.
Director - Dario Argento
A drummer is blackmailed when he is photographed apparently murdering someone in this Argento giallo. This marks the first time that an Argento film went all out bonkers and disregard any sort of logic story-wise. The visuals are really ramped up but the murders are not quite as elaborate as you expect from Agento. After this he’d make a string of classic horror films. If you like giallo then this is a must see. Gorgeous Morricone score too.
