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"A Dario Argento Classic Giallo "

Written By: D. Steigman

Tony Musante witnesses a lady being attacked and spends the rest of the movie trying to find out who the attacker is. Apparently the person he saw was a killer who has killed women. He has trouble recalling what he has seen and goes through a lot to solve - something isn't right. This to me is an excellent Dario Argento movie, one of my top 3. I think this one is a good one for people new to Giallo could start as it is not overly gory. There is some blood and nudity,but mild. The way the story unfolds and the pacing are both really excellent. The Blue Underground is the DVD to get as the movie is uncut(VCI's is missing a gore scene in an elevator) and the transfer is fantastic. Highly recommended,due to the suspense and the who done it factor.The movie is good enough for continued viewings even after you find out who done it.

"And a horror icon was born."

Written By: THE MAIN MAN

In Rome, the police are knee deep in a few murder cases involving young women. On his way home, Sam Dalmas witnesses an attempted murder. After failing to provide accurate and convincing information to the police. He is forced to help solve the cases by figuring out who the murderer could be.

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage was Dario Argento's debut directorial film. And you can clearly see the potential hidden in this film. But Dario was still on training wheels here. I found the plot to be too predictable and I had things pretty much figured out by the middle, so when the end came around. It was no surprise to me at all. But it doesn't take away this is still a very good watch.

I usually don't mind a slow pace. But I found this to be too slow at times. Plus I felt a few scenes were way too long and one even over acted. The characters were well used for the most part and actually seemed a bit realistic.

Dario delivers with the visuals here. A trademark that he soon becomes very well known for. The excellent soundtrack fits very well with the atmosphere but I just didn't feel too creeped out at all.

Overall, I find "Bird" above average at best, 3.5 stars from me. The mystery and suspense just didn't it for me. Dario did a much better job with his later films Deep Red and Tenebre. Watching those two you can clearly see he pretty much mastered the "whodunit" theme because those two are clearly better films. I still think the movie is worth a watch but I'm not sure if I would recommend this as a place to start.

Now for the DVD aspects. The film is in widescreen(2.35:1/16:9) and is very clear and free from grain. The sound is very good as well.

Disk one contains the movie and trailers, plus TV spots. Disk 2 contains the interviews. They are pretty interesting and worth a listen.

Out of the Shadows: Interview with Co-writer/Director Dario Argento
Painting with darkness: Interview with Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro
The Music of Murder: Interview with Composer Ennio Morricone
Eva's Talking: Interview with Actress Eva Renzi

"A Stunning Directorial Debut From The Italian Hitchcock!"

Written By: J. B. Hoyos

Because Dario Argento's latest film, "The Mother of Tears," will soon enjoy its American release, I wanted to revisit the first film he wrote and directed, "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage." Still regarded as one of his finest gialli, "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage" has a lean plot: a serial killer is terrorizing Rome. Beautiful, young women with no connection are being brutally stabbed. An American writer, Sam Dalmas (Tony Musante of "We Own the Night") witnesses an attack. Him and his girlfriend Julia (giallo queen Suzy Kendall of Sergio Martino's "Torso" and Umberto Lenzi's "Spasmo") are eventually stalked and attacked by the black-gloved killer.

It is no wonder that Argento is referred to as the Italian Hitchcock. His film is rife with suspense, mystery and shocking, innovative murder sequences that rival the shower scene in "Psycho." His set pieces are dazzling; they range from grungy stone buildings in the country to fog-enshrouded city streets to psychedelic high rise apartments. A great musical score is provided by the legendary Ennio Morricone who has scored hundreds of Italian gialli and Spaghetti Westerns.

"The Bird with the Crystal Plumage" is the first in Argento's Animal Trilogy. The second one, "The Cat O' Nine Tails" is my favorite of the three because of the endearing relationship between the blind man and his daughter. I've never seen the third one, "Four Flies on Gray Velvet," and don't understand why no one has given it an American release. Thankfully we have "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage." If you are a fan of Dario Argento and/or a fan of Italian gialli, you must see "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage" - a beautiful giallo named after a beautiful bird.

"A good beginning for Dario, but not as intense or as brilliant as the later stuff...."

Written By: Grigory's Girl

I am a huge Dario Argento fan, but I've never really cared for his early work. This is his first film, and while very good in spots, is also kind of boring, even if you see it in widescreen (which you should). This film has the usual Argento plot (artist of some kind, usually an English speaking one, is in Italy and gets caught up in a murder mystery), and while it's not as frightening, surreal, or as intense as his best work (the 1975-1987 years are his best), it does have some very good scenes and an excellent twist at the end of the film. There's some very good mise en scene, with Argento using the frame very well. But there seems to be a lifelessness to this film, almost somnabulistic at times. The lead actor, Tony Musante, seems to be distant and aloof, and the other performers are just as absent, so to speak. Ennio Morricone's music is pretty haunting, but it's not as good as Goblin's soundtracks were/are. Perhaps if this was the first film of his I saw, I would like it more. Still, if you're a Dario fan, you should see this. It's the best of his animal trilogy, or, it's better than the 2nd one in the animal trilogy, Cat O Nine Tails, which is one of Dario's worst films. I haven't seen Four Flies on Grey Velvet, the third in the trilogy, except for one scene included in the documentary Dario Argento's World of Horror. Actually, most people haven't seen that one. Watch The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (great title) if you're interested in Dario. Otherwise, watch his masterful period starting with Deep Red.

"Excellent Thriller from the master of horror."

Written By: M.

One viewing of Argentos first film and you can tell he was destined to become one of the greatest horror directors who ever lived. Getting his first job directing from his father (who was a big time producer at the time), The Bird with the Crystal Plumage uses all the great techniques that made his later films so great. The Dream-like cinematography, the use of bright colors and lighting, and of course the stylistic death sequences. Where Bird really shines though is the writing. Considering Argento was a writer before he became a director this is no surprise. It's obvious that Argento took more than a couple cues from Hitchcock, but he takes a lot of Hitchcocks techniques and makes them his own with a more stylistic, dark, and violent tone. Bird is not Argentos best film but essential viewing for any die-hard Argentophiles like myself. BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!