Symptoms [Blu-ray]

Very well made. Visually great. Amazing quality. More physiological than horror.

Good

Factory Sealed and received in a steadfast time. Thank you!

I was expecting a good movie after looking at reviews here , what a waste of time , simple plot no story no suspense no horror and what a waste of time and money haveing to order from Europe

Mondo Macabro, this one is for all you old school film geeks like me. I can remember back in the early 90’s when only Suncoast would sell the dvds and they would be asking 39.99 for a single one. (and funny enough, getting it) They are known in the community as the “daring” label. You watch one of their films to count how many taboos you see being broken. If you are going to create an insane experience, you have to go all out and this is the label that has their foot to the gas when it comes to wanting to disturb an audience. I expected this film to be a take on the Franco legacy, and what I got out of this film completely floored me and felt more like a dope smoking Hitchcock and Bergman. Where the discussion will always be presented about the bounds of art and the visionary depth it chooses to take, this film not only captivates but it also manipulates and triumphs overall in just how rich and insane it truly is. This film takes a bath in sleaze, and creates a depth with it that we forget character development and plot are being thrown to the side. The horror in this film is very rich and at times beautifully executed in this orchestra of anxiety and lust. The film like most Mondo releases focuses on two women, Helen who occupies the mansion that is in the middle of the woods and her friend Anne who comes by to hang out. Helen is a sexual free beauty who dabbles in masturbation and writing in a diary. We get the feeling she is her trying to lure Anne in her web of lust. Anne though is working on a book of sorts. Then they have the token neighbor who is named Brady who loves to stare at these vessels of lust and insertion. Helen as the film progresses lets us know she can hear things that no one can quite hear. This film in general should fail, it has a longer than usual time to it. The material in the early going seem to be the strongest, but the funny thing is that this film builds and builds and remains strong throughout. This film lacks so much, but it works so well with what it does offer. I found myself many times trying to figure this film out and just being shocked that I am into it as much as I am. I will say as far as this label goes, this is one of their stronger films to date. This film is just such a ticking bomb of a build. Overall, this film is such a must see just for the simple fact it is so out of left field insane. I am not going to mention the controversial moments or scenes, I want people to be surprised when they watch it. Plus this is one of those films, if you go into blind like I did, you will get so much more out of it. So, you film nerds who go to your local mall and cry over the closings of Suncoast, Movie Stop and other video chains, there are still some awesome films coming out that you may want to seek out and buy, this being the top of the class.

The official British entry at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival, Symptoms is a mixture of psychological thriller, whodunnit and horror movie. Directed under the watchful eye of Spaniard Jose Ramon Larraz, and released the same year as his more widely known sex and blood opus, Vampyres.Symptoms proves to be a surprisingly different experience to that other shocker. Intelligent, well acted, suspenseful and with superb photography (The opening shots set the mood beautifully). This is a slower burning piece relying on characters, mood and an audience willing to think.Angela Pleasence plays Helen who invites her friend Anne (Lorna Heilbron), to stay at her countryside home. Within this gorgeous mansion filled with period detail and darkened hallways events start to feel uneasy between the two women. As Anne says at one point, "Is there someone else living in the house?" And just who is the frequently mentioned Cora whose photo has been left lying around?There's also some serious menacing courtesy of the great Peter Vaughan as Bailey the handyman, his wellies and cigar always at the ready. He's got an eye for the ladies, and appears to know a lot more than anyone realises.Similarities are often drawn here between Symptoms and Polanski's Repulsion, and this is noticeable in certain scenes and Helen's actions, although this quiet, rural setting is a far cry from swinging 60's London.Acting honours surely go to Angela Pleasence who is excellent as the slightly distant and disturbed Helen. Her appearance drastically changed in the scene with Bailey is beautiful and appealing; in stark contrast to it's conclusion. Unfortunately, Pleasence seemed to drift into playing some rather odd, slightly unreal characters during her career when Symptoms proves she was capable of so much more, had she been given the breaks.There's an underlying lesbian tone lurking below the surface of the women's relationship, which is never really explored but provides another aspect to the plot's sometimes dreamlike quality. This idea could have sent the whole movie the way of cheap exploitation and yet still deliver on the goods, but Larraz holds himself in check and produces a well crafted drama interspersed with violence and mystery.This BFI dual format release has been restored to excellent quality. The film is presented in 4x3 ratio and looks sharp, bright and clean. Sound is a little quiet at times with some of the characters' softer exchanges having you reach for the remote. All said though, no complaints at such a great presentation.Extras are plentiful and interesting, and include 2 documentaries on Jose Larraz, exploring both Symptoms and Vampyres in some depth. New interviews with Angela Pleasence, Lorna Heilbron, Larraz and editor Brian Smedley-Aston shed more light on the production. A trailer and BFI booklet are also included.A rare, lost sleeper of a movie, and also a must see. Highly recommended.

The DVD/BLU RAY Combo fro the BFI is excellent quality. I watched the Blu Ray and was amazed at the colour and beauty of the photography. The picture is clear, sound is good, and there are optional good English Subtitles. Extras include interviews with Angela Pleasance and Lorna Heilbron, which I recomend. There is also an interesting booklet with full credits. The film is a dreamy ghost/horror tale with burst of pretty graphic (for it's time) violence. Rather like "Repulsion" in the plot, it is beautifully acted by the 2 ladies with great support from Peter Vaughan (one of the U/K's finest "heavies" and very convincing he is here). This is not a film for everybody, but if you like different, interesting cinema you should give this a go. Recomended with above reservations. (By the Bye - thought I should mention that this is definitely NOT as sexy as the director's "Vampyres"!). P.S Wasn't Pleasance a beautiful glowing actress, so often given part that featured her as an eccentric character?

Wow . What a treat ! Just when you think you have seen all the really good films of the sixties / seventies , this pops up . Neglected and undiscovered until a couple of years ago .Polished up and nicely remastered here with some fine central performances . Interesting interview with 'Angela Pleasance' on the extras too !Peter Vaughan has always been a favourite of mine and he provides a typically menacing and broody performance again in this cult classic . Most enjoyable , thought provoking & stylish.

Moody and atmospheric, lovely locations and photography, good performances. But utterly mundane in terms of story, and really a bit of a chore by the end.Very Flipside.

I bought this title without having seen the movie, as my interest in Larraz had been sparked after the 3 movie Arrow set was released, and in regards of movie quality, this is by far the superior release. Nicely presented by BFI, with very good extra, this is a great and highly recommended movie