NONHOSONNO

Directed by Dario Argento
Produced by Claudio Argento
Written by Dario Argento
Cinematography by Ronnie Taylor
Music by Goblin
Special fx by Sergio Stivaletti
Cast: Max Von Sydow, Stefano Dionisi, Chiara Caselli, Roberto Zibetti, Rosella Falk & Gabrielle Lavia

2000/113 mins/Color/5.1 DTS
1.77:1 anamorphic/Italian & English/Italy/PAL Region 2

Review from the Medusa DVD

In 1983, a trio of women are brutally murdered. Commissioner Ulisse Moretti (Max Von Sydow), promises to one of the victim's boy, Giacomo, that he will catch the killer. We move on 17 years later to find out that similar murders are happening. The now retired Moretti and the grown up Giacomo (Stefano Dionisi) make an unlikely team to try to find out if the "dwarf killer" is still alive (even though his body was found at the time!) or it is in fact a copycat killer. Giacomo returns to Torino and stays with his friend Lorenzo (Roberto Zibetti), a rich kid. It's a poem entitled "The Animal Farm" that will help them unravel this mystery that started years ago.

While some might disagree with me, NONHOSONNO is the return in full force of the grand master of Italian horror. After literaly trying to find himself again in IL FANTASMA DELL OPERA (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), LA SINDROME DI STENDHAL (THE STENDHAL SYNDROME) and TRAUMA, i am proud to say loudly that Dario is back! NONHOSONNO features all of the elements of his classic films. From the opening credits you know this is going to be good as the familiar music of Goblin pounds in. You will have the theme song in your head days after hearing it, it's that good. Unfortunately the rest of the soundtrack isn't as good. Back to the film, like i said the film takes all the elements of his previous classics including a nursery rhyme as a compulsion to murder, animal themes, childhood experiences that play a central role to the unravelling of the mystery, a stunning prologed sequence that takes place in a train that has to be seen to be truly appreciate, beautiful women (the friend of the prostitute who dies in the train is played by the gorgeous Conchita Puglish who is without a doubt one of the world's most beautiful woman), a black gloved killer, a collection of knives againts red material, pov shots, close-ups... name it i'm sure it's there!

Here's some cool things to note about NONHOSONNO; Argento lets the color blue symbolize the presence of the killer. Look at the room in the beginning, the train, the killer's inhaler... in one scene Dario even have the killer wearing a bright blue shirt which makes a huge contrast compared to the rest of the cast, saying "here is the killer". Also Gabriele Lavia who's playing the father, was Carlo, the son of the murderer in Dario's classic, PROFONDO ROSSO (DEEP RED).

Now what about the DVD? First of all the film is presented in an almost flawless and stunning transfer. The film is presented in a 1.77:1 aspect ratio and it is 16x9 enhanced. The colors are rich and vibrants and makes the stunning photography of Ronnie Taylor all the most beautiful. Medusa's DVD includes Italian DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks and an English Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. I don't have a DTS receiver but i checked out both 5.1 DD tracks and the Italian one sounds much better, it has more presence, it is also louder and clearer while the English track is still good it lacks a little punch. There is also subtitles in Italian and English which aren't all that great and aren't translating everything. The menus have animation and music and looks good. As for the extras there's a 15 minutes behind the scenes documentary which is very cool and well done but only in Italian. We also get a trailer which is surprisingly presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio!? There's a 4 pages booklet which is completely useless. The film is separated in 24 chapters and comes in a very cool transparent keep case. As for the artwork... let me just say i could have done better my eyes closed! Please take note that this film is also available as a region 1 DVD from Trimark as SLEEPLESS but the film is presented in a full screen pan & scan butchered ratio! A UK edition is also available with the very good documentary, DARIO ARGENTO AN EYE FOR HORROR as a second DVD.

Image:

Audio:

Extras:

Packaging:

This Film Features:

Review by Kim Dubuisson. All Right Reserved. 2003. ©

You can purchase this DVD at our official sponser by clicking on the image above.