(Dario Argento's) Trauma Review Country : Italy Year: 1993 Genre: Horror / Mystery / Thriller Format: DVD Running Time: 106min (USA) Distributor: Anchor Bay Not his most critically acclaimed piece, but definitely a keeper, The Pit recommend's Dario Argento's horror/thriller, Trauma... Credits Directed by Dario Argento. Story by Franco Ferrini & Gianni Romoli. Starring Christopher Rydell, Asia Argento, Piper Laurie, Frederic Forest, Laura Johnson. Thank God for Anchor Bay. They make it possible for so many great horror films to be played in pristine condition, right in our living rooms. The latest is Dario Argento's first US feature Trauma that failed at the box office and didn't achieve status as a cult classic until twelve years later. Argento fans will be pleased by his visually stylistic Giallo in Trauma. Decapitations courtesy of Tom Savini, and a bang up all star cast featuring the likes of Brad (Chucky) Douriff, Piper Laurie, and Argento's own daughter Asia (Land of the Dead) Argento. The film follows Aura (Asia Argento) as an anorexic teen who traumatized by witnessing her parents murders (Piper Laurie and Dominique Serrand). Saved by television graphic designer David (Christopher Rydell), he tries to help her unlock the secrets while also trying to keep their heads firmly planted on their own shoulders. More and more victims fall prey to the brutal killer who employs one of the coolest murder weapons ever burned on celluloid. While this is more of a DVD review over a film review, I will say that this is one of my favorite Argento pieces. You may have to follow it closely, but it serves it's purpose in the Argento world and adds some great, and memorable murders that will forever be ranked in my top twenty. Acting wise Asia Argento really makes the film what it is. Chris Rydell is okay as the hero, but mostly blah. Frederic Forrest plays Aura’s psychiatrist and lends a good performance, and everyone’s favorite foul mouthed doll (no pun intended) Brad Dourif makes a brief appearance and loses his head in one of the films best kills. As for the real meat of the disc, the interview footage is great. He talks (in Italian) about the films troubled production, working with his daughter for the first time, and Savini. Savini has his own featurette, a behind-the-scenes look shot on video at the time Trauma was made. There are also some deleted scenes, and a detailed commentary from Dario biographer Alan Jones. As with his commentary on The Card Player, Jones take on things is interesting and is worth a listen. I would still like to hear an Argento commentary, even if it's in Italian with subtitles... that will suffice. The packaging is standard, but inside it superb. The Pit gives Dario Argento's Trauma (the film and the new DVD) its highest recommendation. Review by John Gray, for Pitofhorror.com