Opera poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Christina Marsillach, Urbano Barberini, Daria Nicolodi, Ian Charleson, Antonella Vitale ... see more see more... , William McNamara , Francesca Cassola , Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni , Barbara Cupisti , Mirella D'Angelo , Gyorsy Rath Gyorivanku , Peter Pitsch , Michelle Torres , Karl Zinny , Maurizio Garrone , Sebastiano Somma , Carola Stagnaro , Cristina Marsillach

The polar-opposite worlds of opera and horror collide in this gory giallo film from director Dario Argento. Christina Marsillach (Tom Hanks' romantic interest in Every Time We Say Goodbye) stars as Be... read more read more...tty, a beautiful understudy who gets an unlikely break to play the female lead in a contemporary opera of Verdi's Macbeth. Her fear of Macbeth's notorious curse proves to have foundation when a psychopath with a strange connection to Betty murders a stage hand in the midst of her debut and later kills several ravens being used in the opera. Characters introduced at this point who could be the killer include: the show's director, Marco (Ian Charleson); Betty's publicist, Mira (Daria Nicolodi); and the police inspector, Alan Santini (Urbano Barberini). The middle third of the film is devoted to the killer's bloody work which serves to torment Betty. The madman binds her and tapes a row of tiny needles beneath her eyes so that she is forced to watch him butcher a young stage manager and a costume designer, among others. With the police investigation going nowhere and the killer zeroing in on Betty's death, Marco decides to enact his own plan to stop the madman; he releases the ravens (apparently, they always remember their enemies) during a performance. The birds circle wildly before attacking the killer and plucking one of his eyeballs out. He absconds with Betty, but dies in a fire after revealing his demented motivation and his connection to the young singer. A final scene set in the Swiss mountains provides a couple of final shocks. ~ Patrick Legare, Rovi

Flixster Users

51% want to see it

6,734 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

12 critics

R, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Dario Argento

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 30, 2001

report incorrect info

Photos

on the set of 'Opera' Opera Cristina Marsillach - Opera (1987) Opera Opera Opera Cristina Marsillach - Opera (1987) Opera Opera Opera Opera Opera Opera Opera Opera Opera Opera Opera
Upload a Photo | View All Opera Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (447)

  • matertenebraum
    April 14, 2011
    matertenebraum
    If you're OK with the outlandish work of Italy's premier horror director-able to accept his outrageous story lines and flamboyant style-then you should have a great time with Opera. If you don't, then you won't.

    Cristina Marsillach plays Betty, a beautiful young opera understudy... read more who is given a shot at fame (in an avant-garde production of Macbeth) when the star of the show is hit by a car. As any thesp who has 'trod the boards' will know, Macbeth is a production that carries a curse-and Betty soon discovers that the show in which she is now the star is no exception: a killer is systematically offing the staff at the theatre-and poor Betty is forced to watch by the sadistic murderer (who tapes needles under her eyes to prevent her from closing them!).

    With the help of a little girl who crawls through her air-conditioning ducts, her director and agent, and a few ravens who have seen the murderer's face (!!!), Betty discovers the killer's identity, and the truth about her mysterious past.

    Let's face it... Opera is one crazy film, with its preposterous plot-turns, convoluted death scenes, and an ending that beggars belief. And whilst director Dario Argento has never been one for, shall we say, conventional story lines, this particular giallo is so daft, and features so many of his trademark stylish touches (all ramped up to the max), that it's almost as if, with each successive film, he is seeing what he can get away with (at times almost parodying his earlier work).

    This is exactly why I find the film such fun!!!

    Argento's camera movements are absolutely incredible: gliding, creeping and, in one amazing scene, even swooping around the opera house above the audience; the power of Verdi's music is combined perfectly with the synth majesty of Claudio Simonetti's score, providing a suitably grandiose accompaniment to the sumptuous visuals; and several outstanding set-pieces (featuring Sergio Stivaletti's nauseating gore FX) go to prove that no-one does death better than Argento (check out one character's stunning demise, in which a bullet passes through a spy-hole in a door in slow motion, and straight into their eye!).
  • ajv2688
    April 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    I really couldn't decide whether or not I liked this movie. I mostly liked it: Argento's style is evident, there are a lot of great special effects, and cool music. The story starts out interesting, but then there are a bunch of crazy plot twists, most are confusing too. Overa... read morell, it could have been better.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    January 21, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Dario Argento's Opera is a fine return to the maestro's earlier films such as Deep Red. Argento follows Tenebre, another Giallo Horror film with this tale of murder. Opera is considered by many diehard Argento fans, including myself to be the maestro's last great film. In the 19... read more90's he's started to have a rocky career, Argento became hit and miss. Opera is an impressive film, and one that can sum the best of Argento's previous Giallo films. Opera is well crafted Horror film and Argento utilizes all his traditional elements to create this intense film. Of course like every Italian Horror film, the story lacks a bit, but the thing that sticks out the most are the visuals of the film. And for visuals, Argento has always been top notch and for this film, he delivers something chilling. In pure Argento fashion, the film takes its time to steafily build the pace and not too much is given away. The first murder happens about twenty minutes in. Opera is a well paced horror chiller, and it's a fine last "great" film for Dario Argento. His 90's work such as Trauma was good, but too Americanized, and it lacked the wit and style that Argento explored in earlier works such as Deep Red. In pure Argento style, the soundtrack is mainly Heavy Metal music (An Argento trademark by now) The cast do a great job at creating something truly terrifying on screen. This is one of the best Argento films of the 1980's.
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    May 27, 2010
    DragonEyeMorrison
    As usual with Argento, the plot is pointless, and in this case it has a twist that made no sense at all. But also as usual with him there are some very creative camera angles and killing scenes. The needles in the eyes is probably one of the most evil torture methods ever put int... read moreo film.
  • ythelastman89
    November 24, 2009
    ythelastman89
    While it is not the most well conceived story to come from Dario Argento, it's still an extremely good movie. There always seem to be the best villains in Argento's films and this is a prime example. It is the most experimental visual style i've seen Argento do and it's really fun.
  • ceWEBrity
    September 19, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    This shit is THE dumbest. Dario Argento's vision of the movie he wanted to create was ruefully flawed, mired in utterly implausible plot points that are essentially impossible to foster in reality. Of course, he tries anyway, and what results is possibly the dumbest horror movie ... read moreheroine of all time: Betty. Ugh, THIS BITCH. I've never seen someone in a movie make so many poor choices. She could have ended the ordeal within twenty minutes of the movie starting, but no, she just has to wander the streets arbitrarily instead of calling the police. When someone asks her why she hasn't called then, she half-heartedly tells them she can't for no reason at all! She watches her friends get shot, stabbed and bludgeoned time after time, and is only incapacitated for two of them; for the rest of the deaths she's merely crippled by her own blinding stupidity. Making matters worse, Cristina Marsillach couldn't act her way out of a paper bag and it's clear that she was only cast because she looks sort of cool singing opera. She's not even that attractive, if you're into that kind of thing.

    You know, I wouldn't really have much of a problem with Argento stringing together some inventive kills with an abstract plot, but this is really trying to sell itself as a viable thriller. It did get me thinking about the studio/auteur divide, and whether or not Argento was told to add some sort of concrete substance to this film to make it more marketable (the hunt for the murderer, equally ridiculous and dull). Somehow, though, I don't think this is the case. It has all the hallmarks of a typical Argento plot, such as the imposition of high art in the narrative in a desperate attempt to class up the otherwise trashy proceedings. It's all right to anchor a movie to a plot that isn't too great if the rest of the content is worthwhile, but it's another thing entirely to stick it on something that is offensively dumb. Of course the movie looks great - it's the one thing that Argento can do consistently - but it all works in the service of a movie that is just numbingly awful.
  • Stinger839
    February 10, 2009
    Stinger839
    As is usual with Argento, if you don't expect much in the story/character department, you will find a great film.

    Argento creates some of his best visuals with this film. From the beginning in the raven's eye to the bullet in the eye, this film is made for eyes. The pins taped b... read moreeneath the eyes is a cruel and incredible plot detail (the murderer forces the opera singer to watch the murders using them).

    I really like how the score switches between opera and power metal because IMO metal is the modern equivalent of opera in terms of theatrics, emphasis on power in musicality, and social groups that surround the genre to praise and celebrate it.

    As I said, there's nothing special about the story and anyone will be able to guess the killer. Like any Argento I've seen, this is all about visuals and that's why this gets a 4 star rating.
  • kenstachnik
    June 24, 2008
    kenstachnik
    Worth seeing for the slow mo bullet through the eye shot alone.

    Overall very effective and enjoyable., but marred by a ridiculous ending. The acting and story are also a little shoddy at times, but that's par for the course in this sub genre.

    Argento's moving camera in this f... read moreilm is stunning. Easily on par with Scorcese & Ballhau's and Coen & Levinson's work.
  • FilmFanatik
    February 13, 2008
    FilmFanatik
    Argento returns to form and truly frightens.
  • RCCLBC
    January 16, 2008
    RCCLBC
    My favorite Argento film. Some truely memorable (horror) movie moments and a not too shaby story line.

View All Opera Reviews

Critic Reviews

Gabe Leibowitz
September 26, 2009
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

Italian horror master Dario Argento may have the most lopsided strengths and weaknesses of any director I've experienced. Full Review

Tim Brayton
June 29, 2009
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

An art film through and through, though it be an art film with an unusual number of bloody deaths... one of Argento's most memorable films. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 26, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Argento's masterful use of colors and music keep help to keep the film feeling fresh. Full Review

Staci Layne Wilson
February 24, 2006
Staci Layne Wilson, About.com

Singing its praises! Full Review

Ken Hanke
June 10, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Stylish, but inane and sadistic Argento thriller.

Ed Gonzalez
December 4, 2001
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine

Argento's Opera is a film of rare beauty, a celebration of love's absence and the ferocious force of the gaze. Full Review

James Kendrick
November 20, 2001
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

With its grand scale and brooding themes, the art of opera fits neatly with Argento's lavish stylistics and dark preoccuptations as a filmmaker

Walter Chaw
October 31, 2001
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

very possibly a dark parody of The Sound of Music Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 18, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Jake Euker
June 4, 2004
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • American Psycho
    American Psycho (100%)
  • The Prowler
    The Prowler (0%)
  • Re-Animator
    Re-Animator (0%)
  • Halloween III - Season of the Witch
    Halloween III - Season of the Witch (0%)

More Movies like Opera

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Opera : Watch Free on TV

Opera Trivia

  • In what 2005 movie is there a love triangle between a young opera singer a man who hides his disfigurement behind a mask and a young man  Answer »
  • What movie is about a deformed genious who hides under the Opera Populaire?  Answer »
  • What Movie is based on a 1870 opera?  Answer »
  • In which musical did these lyrics come from: "Masquerade, paper faces on parade. Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you!"?  Answer »
More Opera Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Opera. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Opera Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Opera to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?