Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Dark Dreams of Dario Argento (Paperback)

~ Maitland McDonagh (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Virtually unknown to mainstream moviegoers in the U.S. and even to most connoisseurs of foreign films, Italian director Dario Argento is highly esteemed among aficionados of the cinematic extremities. He's been called the Italian Hitchcock, but his work--11 films in the horror and thriller genres during the last 25 years--is far more lurid and violent than Hitchcock's. Argento often dispenses with such niceties as character development and narrative coherence in favor of the over-the-top effects his fans love; for example, in one film, a killer's madness is illustrated by shots of his pulsating brain. Most of Argento's American following consists of "psychotronic" types who disdain the scholarly critical approach, but for its verve, individualism, and technical virtuosity, Argento's work warrants such treatment. McDonagh strikes an effective balance between intellectuality and enthusiasm, offering film-by-film commentary enlivened by a generous helping of poster and production-still reproductions and topping everything off with a recent interview with Argento in which he admits, "I like when people are disgusted, because it means you've made an impression on them. A deep impression." Gordon Flagg

Product Details

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: Carol Publishing Corporation; 1st Carol Pub. Group Ed edition (November 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806515147
• ISBN-13: 978-0806515144
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,074,161 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating look at the Gialli Rancher, September 23, 2001

By	C. Fletcher (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great book. If you're a fan of Dario Argento, the Italian maestro of horror, or if you're just a fan of well-made, artistically-minded horror films, you should read this book (and should take a closer look at the films of Dario Argento).

"Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds" is out of print, but you can buy a used copy through Amazon.com (as I did) for a cheaper price. But then you must prepare yourself for a whirl-wind.

This book discusses in intimate detail the films of the great Dario Argento. The introduction gives us some context of who he is (ex-film critic, master of the beautiful and profane), where he came from (an Italian movie-making family and the tutelage of spaghetti-western-maker Sergio Leone), what he does (makes a particular style of thriller called a giallo and often draws on the broken imagery of dreams for his most effective material).

Then we're off on a film-by-film analysis of Argento's career. We study the films he's made, the choices he's made within those films, and gain an appreciation, if we don't already have one, of why this Argento is such a unique, talented film-maker.

"Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds" often reads like the film school thesis which it is. Words and phrases like "diegetic," "filmic," and the old favorite "mise-en-scene" abound. But you shouldn't let that deter you, even if you aren't of the overly critical, or analytical stock. There is a lot of fascinating stuff in this book, and you're sure to walk away from it with a bigger, more profound appreciation for the films and career of one of the greats in the horror field, Dario Argento. And if you haven't seen all of Argento's films, or if it's been a while, reading this book is a great excuse to catch up on them.

What surprised me most about this book was that it was written by a woman. I didn't realize until I turned the last page of the book and read the "about the author" section that Maitland McDonagh has two X chromosomes. I guess I assumed because of the subject matter--the deliriously violent, at times arguably woman-unfriendly world of Dario Argento's deep red "filmic" nightmares--that a man must have written the book. But what a great perspective is given from the eyes and mind of a woman writing intelligently about horror films. You must go get this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing work on an interesting filmmaker, February 10, 2002

By	Steven Grogan (Troy, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Maitland has written a very admirable study of one of the world's most interesting horror filmmakers. She even goes to the trouble of defending the more nonsensical moments of Arengto's films. For example, the scene in Suspiria where a murder victim stumbles across a room full of barbed wire makes no logical sense, but after you read Maitland explain how Argento works (kind of like surrealists, he uses a technique called "Automatic writing" which involves very little, if any, editing) you begin to understand that maybe Argento isn't neccesarily TRYING to make sense. At any rate she does a fine job of defending him, as well as delving into recurring themes. One of the better books on a director you will ever read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book With a WEALTH of Knowledge, July 5, 2001

By	Dancing Ganesha "Dancing Ganesha" (Northern Hemisphere) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Broken mirrors/broken minds: The dark dreams of Dario Argento (Hardcover)

I have learned so much from reading this book.

I purchased it when it first came out (long ago kiddies) but since then have ordered an extra copy.

McDonagh is an excellent writer, very cerebral, very descriptive, and thorough.

She dissects each film bit by bit until you, the reader, have a COMPLETE understanding of Argento's films and the way he thinks.

This is SUCH a small price to pay for such excellent, in-depth research; it is like taking a film course for free, considering how inexpensive the book is.

Take my advice. If you love Argento (and not just because of the gore) read his films.

On the other hand, if you're the type who likes his films cause "the death scenes are cool" PULEAZE don't bother!