Arrow continue their fine work in bringing cult horror favourites to UK DVD next month with the release of three works from the legendary master of giallo horror, Dario Argento in the shape of Terror At The Opera (aka Opera, 1987), The Stendhal Syndrome (La sindrome di Stendhal, 1996) and The Card Player (Il cartaio, 2004).

Terror at the Opera

Often regarded as the last of the great horror works from director Dario Argento's most critically acclaimed period of filmmaking to date, Terror At The Opera (aka Opera) comes to DVD in March as a special edition featuring two edits of the film and three separate audio dubs, including the infamous English language 'Cannes Film Festival dub' and the 'studio approved dub' that replaced it.

An homage to 'The Phantom Of The Opera' (which Argento would remake a decade later) by way of Alfred Hitchcock, Terror At The Opera stars Ian Charleson (Gandhi; Chariots Of Fire) in his final feature appearance and Daria Nicolodi (Mother Of Tears; Scarlet Diva; Phenomena; Tenebre; Inferno) in the disturbing tale of a sadistic hooded killer who torments and abuses a diva with whom he has become obsessed.

Spanish actress Cristina Marsillach stars as Betty, a young and inexperienced opera singer who gets at a chance at her big break starring in a production of Verdi's 'Macbeth' when the lead is forced to pull out following a road accident. Despite her belief that the production is cursed, Betty accepts the role and receives universal acclaim for her performance. Unfortunately, her star turn also attracts the attention of a mysterious psychopathic 'fan' who repeatedly kidnaps her, ties her up and, by taping needles to her eyelids so she is unable to blink, forces her to witness him violently murdering her friends, colleagues and acquaintances. But who is the masked killer and why is he targeting her?

Boasting stunning cinematography by Oscar winning cameraman Ronnie Taylor (Gandhi) and some of the most bravura and memorable set pieces of any of Argento's films – notably the descent of a conspiracy of ravens in the Parma Opera House career and a truly breathtaking murder sequence – the film also features musical contributions from Claudio Simonetti, Brian Eno and Bill Wyman.

Terror At The Opera (cert. 18) will be released on UK DVD by Arrow Video on 22nd March 2010 at the RRP of £15.99. The release features three cuts of the film:

• Feature presentation (102 minutes) with English 5.1 and Italian 5.1 audio options;
• US edit of feature (91 minutes) with original 'Cannes dub' (English 2.0);
• US edit of feature (91 minutes) with approved, re-dubbed English 2.0 audio.

The Following special features are also included:

• Double sided sleeve featuring new artwork;
• Exclusive collector's booklet;
• Poster;
• Dario Argento filmography and biography;
• Photo gallery;
• Opera by Demonia music video;
• Dario Argento trailer gallery;
• Top 6 gore scenes;
• US trailer;
• International trailer.

The Stendhal Syndrome

Considered by many to be a return to vintage form for the Italian master of suspense and terror, Dario Argento (Tenebrae; Suspiria; Terror At The Opera), The Stendhal Syndrome stars the director's real life daughter, Asia Argento (xXx; The Red Siren) as Anna Manni. A young detective in Rome's anti-rape unit. Anna suffers from Stendhal Syndrome, a mental condition that causes her to retreat into horrifying hallucinations when confronted with works of art.

On the trail of a serial rapist and killer, she is given the suspect's whereabouts by way of a tip-off. But, unknown to Anna, the killer has discovered the secret of her illness and uses it against her, eventually kidnapping her and forcing her to become an unwilling witness to his crimes. Of course, this being a Dario Argento film, nothing is quite as it seems and the plot takes a terrifying twist when Anna discovers the true face of madness.

An atmospheric and chilling study of the effects of insanity and violence, The Stendhal Syndrome is full of the dazzling cinematic style and technical wizardry audiences have come to expect from Argento. Co-written by the director's frequent collaborator Franco Ferrini (Phenomena; Trauma; Opera), the film also features a haunting score by award-winning composer Ennio Morricone.

The Stendhal Syndrome (cert. 18) will be released on DVD by Arrow Video on 22nd March 2010 at the RRP of £15.99. Featuring English 5.1 and Italian 5.1 audio options, the disc will include the following extras:

• Double sided sleeve featuring new artwork;
• Exclusive collector's booklet;
• Poster;
• Dario Argento trailer gallery;
• Theatrical trailer.

The Card Player

Starring Liam Cunningham (Dog Soldiers), Stefania Rocca (The Talented Mr. Ripley), Claudio Santamari (The Son's Room) and the director's daughter, Fiore Argento (Demons; Phenomena), and featuring an innovative score by regular Argento collaborator, former Goblin keyboard player Claudio Simonetti (Sleepless), The Card Player sees Italian horror maestro Dario Argento (Suspiria; Tenebrae) moving into classic detective thriller territory in what is generally considered to be his most commercially accessible work to date.

A serial killer is on the loose in Rome, kidnapping women and using them as the stake in a series of deadly games of poker played with the police over the internet. If the police win, the victim is set free; if they lose, the victim dies and the police are rewarded with a gruesome video of the murder being committed. When a British tourist becomes involved, disgraced Irish cop John Brennan (Liam Cunningham) is sent to Rome to investigate. There, he teams up with Anna Mari (Stefania Rocca), the no-nonsense Italian detective heading up the investigation. Once they set about tracking down the killer, they are forced to play the game themselves, but the stakes are raised even higher when a police chief's daughter (Fiore Argento) is abducted and it becomes apparent the 'Card Player' knows more about Anna than she would like.

Full of all the trademark elements that have earned Argento such a huge and loyal fanbase among horror aficionados, The Card Player is an innovative modern day thriller highlighted by a striking set-piece set around a breathtaking 'cat and mouse' chase between Anna and the film's eponymous killer.

The Card Player (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (15.99) by Arrow Video on 22nd March 2010 at the RRP at £15.99. Special Features include:

• Double sided sleeve featuring new artwork;
• Exclusive collector's booklet;
• Poster;
• The Making of The Card Player featurette;
• The Card Player promo;
• Trailer;
• Dario Argento trailer gallery.