Opera (1987)

A young opperata is stalked by a deranged fan bent on killing the people associated with her to claim her for himself.

Director:

Dario Argento

Writers:

Dario Argento (story), Franco Ferrini (story)

Stars:

Cristina Marsillach, Ian Charleson, Urbano Barberini

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cristina Marsillach	...	Betty
Ian Charleson	...	Marco
Urbano Barberini	...	Inspector Alan Santini
Daria Nicolodi	...	Mira
Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni	...	Giulia
Antonella Vitale	...	Marion
William McNamara	...	Stefano
Barbara Cupisti	...	Signora Albertini
Antonino Iuorio	...	Baddini (as Antonio Juorio)
Carola Stagnaro	...	Alma's mother
Francesca Cassola	...	Alma
Maurizio Garrone	...	Maurizio, the raven trainer
Cristina Giachino	...	Maria, the assistant director
György Gyõriványi	...	Miro
Bjorn Hammer	...	Cop #1

Storyline

A young opera singer (Betty) gets her big chance when the previous star of a production of Verdi's Macbeth is run over by a car. Convinced the opera is bad luck she accepts, and becomes the target (in Argento's unmistakable style) of a psychopath - a man she has been dreaming of since childhood.

---

Plot Keywords:

giallo | psycho killer | peep hole | slasher | italian cinema | 

---

Taglines:

obsession. murder. madness.

---

Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong terror and violence, and for a scene of sensuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally, Columbia Pictures intended to release the film theatrically in Germany in 1988 but after the FSK (Official German Censorship) demanded to cut out almost 25 minutes, mostly violence (among others the two scenes with Betty wearing the needles), it was released straight to VHS, even though a theatrical release has already been announced.

---

Goofs

During the shootout in Betty's apartment as the masked killer dives out of the way of a shot, and the camera quickly pans after him, a crew member is visible on the right side of the frame, trying to get out of the way.

---

Quotes

Marco: I think it's unwise to use movies as a guide for reality. Don't you, Inspector?
Inspector Alan Santini: Depends what you mean by reality.

---

Alternate Versions

The version prepared by Orion Pictures for an American release in 1988 was edited to 96 minutes, removing the scene of Mara Cecova hurling her glass at the TV, much material involving the little girl next door to Betty, and Betty's final crawl through the grass in the final scene. The U.S. plans were scrapped, and this version was released by RCA/Columbia on Japanese laserdisc and as a bonus on Arrow's two-disc DVD reissue in England.

---

Connections

Referenced in Midnight Movie Review: Opera (2012)

---

Soundtracks

White Dakeness
by Brian Eno and Roger Eno
By Arrangement with Opal Ltd, London

User Reviews

Great effects, rather clichéd story

Dario Argento's movie about a young opera star that gets stalked by an obsessive fan, who might have a link to her past and more specifically to her mother.

What's great about Opera is its visual effects, its passion for the craft of making movies. The camera angles are inventive, as is the way the camera moves. The gory special effects are ahead of their time and the whole film has this feel of oppression to it. Like no one can be trusted and that there are ghosts hiding within the walls.

Not to say the story is terrible. It's just that it's rather blatantly ripping off Phantom of the Opera. One might argue it's paying an homage to a giant of the genre, but it still leaves the film lacking in originality.

But still, this is supposed to be an exploitative horror film and in that regard it delivers beautifully. The acting is on the right side of corny, the special effects and the gore are beautifully realized and the film's mood is just about perfectly morbid. I especially like the theater as a setting, with ravens and all.

Is it the best Dario Argento film there is? Nah, probably not, but it is a great find for all fans of old-time horror films.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

19 December 1987 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Opera

Filming Locations:

Incir De Paolis Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

ADC Films, Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min 88 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1