An American newcomer to a prestigious German ballet academy comes to realize that the school is a front for something sinister amid a series of grisly murders.

Quintessential Dario Argento masterpiece is all style, atmosphere and dread over plot with a slew of set pieces often copied ever since.

Halliwell**: "Psycho meets The Exorcist, with no holds barred: a genuinely scary thriller with gaudy visuals and a screaming sound track. A pyrotechnic display for those who can take it."

Maltin***: "Terrifying tale...Often dumb plot is enriched and overcome by brilliant camerawork, atmosphere, music score and performance..."