Vinegar Syndrome

Let's Scare Jessica to Death

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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcase

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Details

This special limited edition 2-disc 4K UHD/Blu-ray set comes with a spot gloss hard slipcase + slipcover combo (designed by Luke Insect), includes a 40-page perfect bound book and is limited to 8,000 units. It is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

Recently released from a mental institution, Jessica, along with her husband Duncan and friend Woody, have decided to move into an isolated farmhouse in search of a fresh start. When they arrive there, however, they discover a young woman squatting on the property. With the group deciding to let their unexpected guest, Emily, stay with them, Jessica soon discovers that their new companion bears a striking resemblance to a girl who drowned in the nearby lake many years ago and who, as local rumor has it, now haunts the area as a vampire. At the same time, Jessica begins to experience strange and frightening visions - is she once again losing her grip on reality, or is something even more strange and sinister afoot? 

Heavily inspired by the Henry James novella The Turn of the Screw and Robert Wise’s The Haunting (1963), John D. Hancock’s (Bang the Drum Slowly) LET’S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH is a somber, dreamlike, and, at times, utterly bone-chilling classic of early ’70s terror. One of the first horror movies to make extensive use of a synthesizer in its score, which greatly enhances the film’s numerous shock sequences, Vinegar Syndrome is thrilled to present LET’S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH newly-restored in 4K from its original camera negative, with approval from director Hancock, and loaded with a host of brand new and exclusive bonus features.

directed by: John D. Hancock
starring: Zohra Lampert, Barton Heyman, Kevin O'Connor, Gretchen Corbett, Alan Manson, Mariclare Costello
1971 / 89 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono

Additional info:

  • 2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region A Blu-ray
  • 4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range
  • Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative
  • Commentary track with director John D. Hancock, moderated by Justin LaLiberty
  • Commentary track with authors Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
  • "A New Medium" (15 min) - an interview with director John Hancock
  • "The Stars Align" (11 min) - an interview with co-producer Bill Badalato
  • "The Sound of Terror" (12 min) - an interview with composer Orville Stoeber
  • "A Haunted Quality" (22 min) - an interview with Nightmare USA author Stephen Thrower
  • Theatrical trailer
  • TV spot
  • Radio spot
  • Image gallery
  • 40-page perfect bound book with essays by Molly Henery, Quatoyiah Murry, and Jason Bailey (Limited Edition Only)
  • Reversible sleeve artwork
  • English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.8312235 / 5 from 237 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

This limited edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray set of 'Let's Scare Jessica to Death' is highly praised for its incredible 4K restoration, fantastic extras, and beautiful packaging. Customers appreciate the atmospheric 70s horror experience and the excellent upgrade to 4K.

Summary topics

  • 4K Visual Quality: 17%
  • Restoration Quality: 9%
  • 4K Transfer Quality: 19%
  • Packaging Design: 25%
  • Bonus Features: 5%

Review topics: ["colors","fit","quality","picture","shipping","feel","design","buy","looks","packaging","box","film","upgrade","sound","movie","transfer","release","restoration","horror","features","presentation","burn","jessica","performances","atmosphere","edition","extras","booklet","artwork","treatment"].

Review highlights

  • "One of the very best horror movies and Vinegar Syndrome’s new restoration looks unbelievably good."James P.
  • "Other than that, a very good film, great restoration, and packaging."Robert G.
  • "Excellent film, excellent scan, excellent packaging and presentation."William P.

Reviews

Almost great packaging for a great film

"This is a great film simple as that. The box and included book along with the artwork are all fantastic. The only thing that stinks with it is some of the photos in the book are tricky to see as the focal point is printed in the center so you aren’t able to fully see the photo. With that this is still a five rating"

Sandra H. (5/5)

Let's Scare Jessica to Death

"The 4K transfer retains the film’s natural, heavy grain structure while completely avoiding aggressive digital noise reduction (DNR) artifacts. The Dolby Vision color grading provides beautifully bold, saturated tones that heighten the picture's dreamlike, autumnal Connecticut aesthetic. Contrast is brilliantly resolved with deep, organic black levels and highlights that never look blown out"

Brian G. (4/5)

Deluxe packaging to an incredible movie.

"A fantastic and wonderfully eerie movie that keeps things minimal, while still making you uncomfortable and question reality. Sadly, the movie was regulated to bare bones releases, but thankfully Vinegar Syndrome gave thos movie the deluxe treatment it deserves. Beautiful restoration and picture quality that's mirrored by a beautiful package."

Preston C. (5/5)

The real faces of death lol

"Honestly, I'm so scared as well, I'm surprised I didn't die watching this. Why does every scene, every shot, constantly feel like everything is wrong with the world? I feel like everyone knows the name of this film, but I don't hear it tossed around much as a great of the decade. That should change."

Brian M. (5/5)

Psychological Horror

"Let’s Scare Jessica to Death is a haunting, dreamlike psychological horror film that thrives on atmosphere, ambiguity, and emotional fragility rather than traditional scares. It’s one of the most quietly unsettling American horror films of the 1970s. The story follows Jessica, a woman recovering from a mental health crisis, who retreats with friends to a rural farmhouse—only to encounter strange locals, eerie sounds, and a mysterious young woman who may be a ghost, a vampire, or simply a projection of Jessica’s unraveling mind. The film’s power comes from its whisper‑soft tension, muted performances, and the way it blurs reality with Jessica’s internal fears. Its washed‑out visuals and minimalist score create a sense of isolation that lingers long after the film ends. Some viewers find its pacing slow, but for many, that quietness is exactly what makes it so effective. It’s a melancholy, atmospheric gem—less about monsters and more about the terror of not trusting your own thoughts."

Tarek E. (3/5)

Random fun

"Shipping print looks fantastic. A quirky fun movie. Fits the time perfectly. Not overly frightening but a fun little gem and a good time"

Ian P. (5/5)

Great presentation of a cult favorite!

"There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a favorite film finally receive the transfer and treatment you’ve always felt it deserved. That’s exactly how I felt with this release. The 4K restoration quality is great from start to finish, the audio presentation is immersive and clean, and the packaging demonstrates a genuine appreciation for collectors. This edition exceeded my expectations and then some."

Patrick F. (5/5)

Let's Scare Jessica To Death - VS LE Review

"Gorgeous packaging, bright beautiful colors, and an amazing film transfer. Had to grab the LE copy of this and it already looks so good in my collection"

Colin M. (5/5)

Let's Scare Jessica to Death . . . . and Then Some

"I have always been a big fan of Zohra Lampert and this film is a showcase for her talent. The director John Hancock is best known for Bang the Drum Slowly. This is a mood piece without standard 'jump scares'. Some may find the film too slow for their tastes, but for those who appreciate some of the older 1940s style Val Lewton B movies, the film is quite effective. It is worth seeing for aspiring filmmakers as to what can be done effectively on a small budget. It might be a stretch but one could see this as a New England variant of Et mourir de plaisir."

Michael M. (5/5)

Classic

"A great release. Love the colours and the artwork. Slipcase is solid"

james s. (5/5)

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