Argento's Suspiria Screams Towards Blu-ray

Argento's greatest work and one of the most wonderfully atmospheric of all 70s euro-horror is coming to Blu-ray, as Suspiria will be released in the UK on the 18th January 2010 courtesy of Cine Excess and Nouveaux Pictures.  In addition to the new high definition picture - described as superb - the disc will have several new bonus features:

• Fear at 400 Degrees: The Cine-Excess of Suspiria.  A documentary featuring Argento and composier Claudio Simonetti.
• Suspiria Perspectives.  Another documentary with Simonetti, joined by cult director Norman J. Warren and Patricia MacCormack.  Many sites are listing Patricia McCormack as the guest, but the likelihood is that it's not the TV actress and is in fact, Patricia MacCormack, author of the book Cinesexuality in which Italian cinema, including Suspiria, is extensively discussed.
• Commentary with Alan Jones and Kim Newman.

Whether any of the old bonus material found on the earlier DVD releases will make it on to the Blu-ray remains to be seen, but even if they don't, the promise of a Jones/Newman commentary more than makes up for it.

There are two final points to make, the first being that although there are quotes from several individuals regarding the quality of this transfer, the movie has suffered on previous home video outings and the recent Italian Blu-ray had various colour issues.  We can only hope this new Blu-ray is not blighted by such problems and that this new HD transfer has satisfied DP Luciano Tovoli!  The second point concerns the artwork.  What a shame this classic horror will be ruined by a substandard cover!  Although the font and design for the title is acceptable, the woman and the Cine-Excess logo (trash? No!) seems somewhat misjudged.

A small price to pay for Suspiria on Blu-ray?  Let's hope so.