La sindrome di Stendhal (1996)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Dario Argento

Writers:

Graziella Magherini (novel)
Dario Argento (story) ...

Release Date:

26 January 1996 (Italy)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller | Horror

Plot:

A young policewoman slowly goes insane while tracking down an elusive serial rapist/killer through Italy when she herself becomes a victim of the brutal man's obsession.

Plot Keywords:

Policewoman | Trap | Painting | Hallucination | Rapist

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Asia Argento	...	Det. Anna Manni
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Alfredo Grossi
Marco Leonardi	...	Marco Longhi
Luigi Diberti	...	Insp. Manetti
Paolo Bonacelli	...	Dr. Cavanna
Julien Lambroschini	...	Marie
John Quentin	...	Anna's father
Franco Diogene	...	Victim's husband
Lucia Stara	...	Shop assistant
Sonia Topazio	...	Victim in Florence
Lorenzo Crespi	...	Giulio
Vera Gemma	...	Policewoman
John Pedeferri	...	Hydraulic engineer
Veronica Lazar	...	Marie's mother
Mario Diano	...	Coroner

Also Known As:

Stendhal's Syndrome
The Stendhal Syndrome

Runtime:

120 min | Argentina:114 min | USA:113 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:18+ (Ontario) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Argentina:18 | Finland:K-18 | Germany:18 | Italy:VM14 | Portugal:M/18 (video premiere) | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (cut) | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Cine 2000

Trivia:

At one point the film was set to be made in American with Daryl Hannah cast as Anna Manni. The plans fell through and the production was moved to Italy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in La terza madre (2007)

Argento's best since Phenomena!

Dario Argento never falls short for me. I was told over and over by some Argento fans that Stendhal Syndrome would be the first Argento film to disappoint me. They were all wrong. I really enjoyed "Stendhal Syndrome". It was Argento's return to artistic violence to make beauty out of the ugliness of crime. I also thought the plot was very interesting. While some people may think this film's point was only to set up an amazing twist, I think they are wrong. I believe in all honesty that Argento did not want your chin to hit the floor at the end because of the twist. I think Argento wanted your jaw to drop because of the complete twist on persona. Not the actual plot twist, but the personality twist. In all honesty about 20 minutes before the plot twist, most people can probably figure out where it is going. Asia Argento gives an amazing performance as the victim in this modern masterpiece written and directed by her father. If nothing else is obvious after you see this beautiful film, Dario Argento's ongoing vision for beauty should be!

The Stendhal Syndrome: "9 out of 10 crows murdered!"