Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Nouveaux Pictures - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. King Records - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Synapse Films (2-disc) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Cult Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Anchor Bay

Region 0 - NTSC

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.78 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1080i Single-layered Blu-ray

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Blu-ray

Blu-ray

Blu-ray

Blu-ray

DTS-HD Master Audio English 4827 kbps 4.0 / 96 kHz / 4827 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 4.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio Italian 4034 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4034 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentaries:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2057 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2057 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1799 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1799 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spot
• Radio Spots
• Talent Bios
• Poster And Still Gallery
• Daemonia Music Video

DVD Release Date: November 9th, 2001
Keep Case

Chapters 26

Chapters 20

Chapters 14

Chapters 20

ADDITION: Cult Films (2-disc) - Region 'B' Blu-ray March 2018':  Cult Films have given us yet another 4K restored dual-layered, max'ed out bitrate transfer of Suspiria. There is very different color-grading as compared to the Synapse release. The Synapse is the only one to be supervised and signed off by Luciano Tovoli, the film's DOP. In some cases, this UK transfer looks much more realistic, though I am not sure that is necessarily the intentions of director Dario Argento. Most scenes are noticeably darker and have a greenish hue. Synapse is clearly brighter, and hence more detail is visible. Blood is a vibrant red (see the blood-in-the-sink capture for reference) in the Synapse release, where as here, reds are much more subtle. I wouldn't blame anyone for preferring this transfer but personally I lean towards the Synapse. The framing here seems to be slightly different as well, ever so slightly zoomed-in on the UK edition.

NOTE: Vincent Pereira who consulted on the synapse restoration and the blu: “The Synapse and TLE versions (TLE being the versions that's been released overseas, including the Cult release in the U.K.) are not the "same 4K restoration". They both used the same raw 4K scan of the negative that Synapse commissioned as a source, but they both did their own top-to-bottom restoration work from scratch. Synapse did not use the TLE restoration work at all. The Synapse restoration was done by Fixafilm in Poland, supervised by Wojtek Janio, working from the same raw, very damaged negative scan that TLE did their independent work from.".

Cult Films lacks Synapse's intense 96 kHz 4.0 sound mix. Given here is a DTS-HD 5.1 16-bit track, as well as a 2.0 stereo track. This is a shame because the 4.0 was a very strong mix. The track included here is not terrible by any means though, with strong separation and crisp and clean sound, especially given the age of the film. Goblin's iconic soundtrack sounds as good as ever.

Cult Films have loaded this disc with many extras. Most notable is a very informed commentary track by critics Kim Newman and Alan Jones. The two have a great rapport and provide tons of information on the film and its influence on the horror genre. Also provided are many interviews with the filmmakers. Fear at 400 degrees is a 35 minute documentary featuring interviews with Dario Argento and Claudio Simonetti. There are many interesting facts provided about the filming and scoring of the film. Next up is a new 27 minute feature "Suspiria told by Dario Argento" with Argento discussing his inspirations and motivations for making Suspiria. Next up is a 40 minute feature titled "Suspiria Perspectives" which features many interviews with people involved with the film, as well as film academics. Finally we have a new feature on the 4k restoration of Suspiria, running 57 minutes. It provides comparisons of shots and will be a welcome addition to fans of film preservation. There is a second disc DVD of the feature included.

It is always great to have choices. The image will come down to a personal preference or how you may feel about its authenticity to the theatrical version but stalwart Argento fans may want it for the commentary and other extras.

Colin

***

ADDITION: Synapse Films (2-disc) - Region 'A' Blu-ray March 2018': The Synapse, first offered as a 3-disc Blu-ray LE steelbook is cited as having "a new 4K restoration of the original uncut, uncensored Italian 35mm camera negative exclusively done by Synapse Films, with color correction supervised and approved by SUSPIRIA Director of Photography, Luciano Tovoli." This is the 2-disc version. The screen captures speak volumes as to the orders-of-magnitude improvement. This is a dual-layered transfer with a max'ed out bitrate. It looks stunning - colors, generally, become darker and dramatically richer looking pristine in the 4K restoration. Thankfully we have the option to play the film with the alternate all-English opening and closing credits sequences, via seamless branching. Overall immensely impressive.

Audio come in two flavors a robust DTS-HD Master (24-bit) original 4.0 1977 English language LCRS sound mix not heard since its theatrical release. It offers newly-translated removable English SDH subtitles. There is also the Italian 5.1 surround mix in an equally robust DTS-HD (24-bit) transfer, with removable English subtitle translation.  The score is legendary band Goblin (Phenomena, The Other Hell, The Bloodstained Shadow, Deep Red) plays to varying, intensities. It sounds fabulous - as good as it looks.

Synapse have loaded these two-discs with multiple extras. We are given two audio commentaries. The first features Troy Howarth, an author that specializes in Italian cinema and Giallo. The second track is a conversation between Argento scholars, Derek Botelho (author of The Argento Syndrome), David Del Valle. The two break down the themes of the film, and the genre. They provide lots of information regarding certain shots and scenes. Also provided in this set is the video essay, "Do You Know Anything about Witches?", which is a half-hour look at the film by Michael Mackenzie. Mackenzie gives a very deep and thoughtful reading of the film, and also discusses Argento. Next up is "A Sigh from the Depths: 40 Years of Suspiria" a half hour feature which looks back on the film and with comments from film historians and fans of the film. This is a fascinating look at Suspiria's roots in mythology as well as Argento's production of the film. "Suzy in Nazi Germany" is an 8-minute look at the various filming locations in Germany from Suspiria. "Olga's Story" is a 17-minute interview with star Barbara Magnolfi (who played Olga). Barbara explains how she ended up working on the film, and talks about filming Suspiria. "International Classics" "Breathing Letters" is the opening credit sequence from the U.S. release of the film and is quite different.  Also included are trailers and TV and radio spots. It has a reversible Cover Art created by Joel Robinson.

Synapse may have created the best transfer of the year (2017) with this package. Though this transfer was released a few months back in a limited edition 3-disc set (that included the film's soundtrack), this is without a doubt the best the film has ever looked, and is much cheaper. The extras are very deep and provide hours of interesting thoughts and comments on the film, especially given the two fantastic commentaries. Much like the flawless video quality, the audio is also superb. This is a must-buy for fans of the film, Giallo, Argento and even a great blind-buy for future fans.

Gary + Colin

***

ADDITION: King Records - Region FREE Blu-ray December 2010': Well, this new Japanese Blu-ray of Argento's Suspiria seems to support that there is boosting in the Nouveaux Pictures UK releases (note brightness flaring in the second capture). I believe this region FREE Blu-ray looks much more natural and authentic than the other high-def release. It has a higher feature size and bitrate but it's big flaw is that it is interlaced (1080i). You can see it in the overhead 'dance studio' capture. This seemed to be more prevalent at the beginning 8-minutes which tended to look unstable but it settled down and on my system I couldn't distinguish the combing associated with the interlacing via my Plasma. It, actually, looked surprisingly good! The disc offers lossless English audio and Dolby Italian and Japanese tracks with optional Japanese subtitles and my Momitsu tells me this is, happily, region FREE. The English sounded solid without any notable mishaps and only minor separation and depth. There are no extras save a trailer.

So, aside from being bare bones and interlaced the King Records Blu-ray may suit some individuals who were sensitive to the color/contrast boosting of the UK BD OR who are not capable of playing region 'B' discs.

***

ADDITION: Nouveaux Pictures - Region 'B' Blu-ray January 2010': This single-layered transfer from Nouveaux Pictures looks better in many areas but overall is not stellar. Occasionally there are some over-bright or blown out whites. Detail and colors advance upon the Anchor Bay DVD and there is even more information in the frame on the top and bottom. For the most part it's a pretty good transfer with a smattering of consistent grain. Either contrast was boosted or it was inherent in the source used. It's a shame because the the detail is notable. For a film over 30-years old I suspect Argento fans will be impressed for the most part although I still feel it is too bright in many sequences.

Audio comes in the form of a lossless DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 2190 kbps that appears to be a significant advancement from previous DVD renderings. Separation is not abundant but there are some nice subtle touches to the mix that helped the film presentation. There are no subtitles on this Blu-ray and my Momitsu tells me this is region 'B'-locked.

Supplements are quite good on the Blu-ray taking a more academic look at the film and Argento that we usually see. We get a strong commentary from Argento expert Alan Jones and critic Kim Newman, over an hour's worth of new documentaries featuring contributions from Argento, Claudio Simonetti, Norman J. Warren, Newman and Dr. Patricia MacCormack along with extended interviews with Warren, Newman and MacCormack.

This is a film that impacts more with improved visual quality and this Blu-ray does just that. It's a title that I'd like to see re-visited by Blue Underground in North America - but I have no knowledge of this transpiring. For now this Nouveaux Pictures disc is it.

Gary W. Tooze

***

ON THE DVD: This is a pretty nice transfer from Anchor Bay. The colors are vivid and the image is quite sharp. The only problem I encountered was pixelation in one scene (see below) and a bit of aliasing in another. Nothing major, but I figure this is simply because the image was compressed too much, considering this disc has no less than 5 audio tracks (including DTS ES and DD EX). I did not watch the film on my sound system so I cannot vouch for the quality of the sound, but I'm assuming it must be pretty good. There is also a two-disc edition available from Anchor Bay which includes a documentary on the making of and interviews with the director, cinematographer and actors.

 - Eric Portelance