Nearly five decades since its original release in Italy, the United States, and other locations around the world, Dario Argento‘s cult classic horror film Suspiria will finally see a wide release theatrical across the Czech Republic this month. Suspira will hit Czech cinemas, including Prague’s Kino Světozor, Kino Aero, Bio Oko, Kino Atlas, and Edison Filmhub, and elsewhere from August 15 in a newly-restored 4K edition.
Originally released in 1977, Suspiria has been celebrated as a milestone in horror cinema, known for its striking visual style, chilling atmosphere, and innovative use of color. Now, thanks to a meticulous restoration process, Czech audiences will finally have the chance to experience this classic on the big screen as of this weekend.
Suspiria is widely regarded as one of the most influential horror films ever made, and it marks a high point in the career of Italian director Dario Argento. The film tells the story of a young American ballet student, played by Jessica Harper, who enrolls in a prestigious dance academy in Germany, only to uncover a series of horrifying supernatural events.
The movie is set apart by its use of vibrant colors, elaborate set designs, and a haunting soundtrack by the progressive rock band Goblin. Argento’s use of lighting and color in Suspiria was groundbreaking, drawing inspiration from the Technicolor films of the 1930s and 1940s, particularly those produced by Disney.
The film’s intense, almost surreal aesthetic has become a hallmark of Argento’s style and has influenced countless filmmakers in the horror genre. However, despite its international acclaim, Suspiria never made it to wide distribution in Czech cinemas—until now.
The upcoming Czech release of Suspiria will feature a newly-restored version of the film, bringing Argento’s vision to life in stunning detail. The restoration, carried out by the German lab TLEFilms, has meticulously preserved the original quality of the film, including its unique color palette.
The movie has been restored in 4K resolution from the original negative and a color-positive print, ensuring that audiences will see it as it was meant to be seen, with every detail of its complex visuals intact.
This restoration also included the removal of any technical defects from the original 35mm film strip, such as tears, scratches, and stains. The process was completed in time for the film’s 40th anniversary, making this a particularly special release for both longtime fans and new viewers.
