The Stendhal Syndrome (1996)
"La sindrome di Stendhal" (original title)

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.

Director:

Dario Argento

Writers:

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

Stars:

Asia Argento, Thomas Kretschmann, Marco Leonardi

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Anna Manni is a policewoman trying to capture a vicious serial rapist and killer. The problem is that she suffers from "Stendhal's syndrome", a psychosomatic disease that gives her dizziness and hallucinations when she is exposed to the sight of paintings and artistic masterpieces. When the maniac lures her into a trap inside Florence's famous Uffizi museum, her troubles are just beginning...

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Plot Keywords:

policewoman | trap | hallucination | rapist | museum | 

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Troma

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

26 January 1996 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Stendhal Syndrome

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$3,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cine 2000, Medusa Produzione

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stendhal Syndrome is a real syndrome, first diagnosed in Florence, Italy in 1982. Named after the French writer Stendhal AKA Marie-Henri Beyle who reportedly experienced like symptoms in 1817.

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Connections

References I Spit on Your Grave (1978)

User Reviews

A haunting film that reminds us, art can be deadly.

Brooding and powerful horror film by Dario Argento is perhaps his finest film of the 90's, and certainly an unforgettable one!

Detective on the trail of a crazed rapist learns she has an illness where artwork puts her into trances, but that's the least of her worries when she becomes the obsession of the maniac she's after.

The Stendhal Sydrome is a truly dark and disturbing film. It packs bursts of bloody violence and lulls of chilling madness; it's a film that's psychologically disturbing as well as intensely suspenseful. Argento's direction is excellent, not only giving the film strong atmosphere but some sequences that are wonderfully dream-like and some nightmarish. The art direction is finely done. The special FX aren't bad either, even some early CGI is thrown in. Ennio Morricone's music score is a perfect piece to this film, very eerie.

Cast-wise the film isn't half bad either. Asia Argento makes for an acceptable heroine, but its Thomas Kretshman who does the best performance as the horrific yet handsome villain. Marco Leonardi is also good as Asia's co-worker; as is Julien Lambroschini as a young art student.

The Stendhal Sydrome isn't a film for all taste by any means. It's a brutal shocker that had best be avoided by the faint of heart. A must for Argento fans and a good find for those that like their horror films extra intense.

*** 1/2 out of ****