ADDITION: Synapse 4K UHD (November 2019): In what is surely a contender for the year-end best-of polls, Synapse has released a 4K UHD release of Argento's masterpiece, "Suspiria". While Synapse's 2018 Blu-ray release showed a similarly striking color scheme, the added clarity of detail shown in this 4K UHD is quite noticeable. The real star of the show (other than the Dolby Atmos track... see below) is the newly color-timed HDR / Dolby Vision visual presentation. The greater range of blacks, with a higher peak brightness (nits) allows for a more authentic representation of the films wildly vivid cornucopia of colors. Words cannot express how jaw-dropping this presentation really is.

NOTE: A dozen more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures for Patrons are available HERE.

Ed. NOTE: Our usual uniform software simulation cannot do justice to these images. They, literally, cannot express the color from our RAW captures. Any similarity between the glowing hues the HDR produces on your system and our capture simulations will be coincidental.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

NOTE: I own two different 4K systems and transfers frequently show a variance in the image presentation depending on the system and its set-up. This is also true of computer monitors. It is highly unlikely that these captures reflect the exact same color balance and brightness as on your home system, but the detail, grain support and other attributes will, hopefully, give you an indication of the value of this 3840 X 2160 resolution and restoration. I cannot say how you will like it on your 4K UHD set-up - only that I think it looked outstanding on mine. 

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: Pan's Labyrinth (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Wizard of Oz,(software uniformly simulated HDR), The Shining, (software uniformly simulated HDR), Batman Returns (software uniformly simulated HDR), Don't Look Now (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Man Who Killed Killed and then The Bigfoot  (software uniformly simulated HDR),,  Bram Stoker's Dracula (software uniformly simulated HDR), Lucy (software uniformly simulated HDR), They Live (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Shutter Island (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Matrix (software uniformly simulated HDR), Alien (software uniformly simulated HDR), Toy Story (software uniformly simulated HDR),  A Few Good Men (software uniformly simulated HDR),  2001: A Space Odyssey (HDR caps udated), Schindler's List (simulated HDR), The Neon Demon (No HDR), Dawn of the Dead (No HDR), Saving Private Ryan (simulated HDR and 'raw' captures), Suspiria (No HDR), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (No HDR), The Big Lebowski, and I Am Legend (simulated and 'raw' HDR captures).

A brand new Dolby Atmos track is included with the "Suspiria" 4K release from Synapse, and it is yet another accomplishment worthy of serious praise. Also here is the original 1977 4.0 track (which also appeared on Synapse's Blu-ray release) and for those without a Dolby Atmos setup, this one ain't no slouch either. But back to that Atmos track... right out of the gate, the three-dimensional object-based Atmos technology handles the opening storm sequence with aplomb. The eerie whisperings of "Witchhhhh!" swirl around like a zephyr with the wind while the rain seems to be pouring right on top of you, thanks to the ceiling speakers in my Atmos setup. Just as a ballet's Overture, Argento's film immediately sets the scene for the sights and sounds to follow. Goblin's music is inseparable from the film, and this new track rightfully keeps the score front and center when called for. There are optional English subtitles on this Region Free 4K UHD disc.

The extras included on this new 4K UHD disc are the same great bonus features that appeared on Synapse's 2018 Blu-ray release. The bonus features are located on a separate Blu-ray disc. 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. This time there is some lovely reversible cover art by Wes Benscoter.

This new 4K UHD release will definitely be in my top 5 releases of the year (probably at the very top). Synapse have managed to answer fan's calls for a proper 4K release of the film, with the vivid HDR and color timing that was so sorely needed on the previous Cult 4K UHD release. The Dolby Atmos track also makes this title a must-own for early adopters of this audio setup. Don't hesitate to pick this one up, you will not be disappointed. 

Colin Zavitz

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.