Vinegar Syndrome

Play Dead

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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

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Details

This is the listing for the standard edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo. The limited edition embossed slipcover (designed by Earl Kessler Jr.) was limited to 2,000 units and is sold outThe two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.

Hester Ramsey (Yvonne De Carlo) lives in a cavernous old house, with only her pet Rottweiler, Greta, to keep her company. Bitter and alone, Hester blames her estranged sister for stealing away her one true love, Sam, decades earlier. Following her sister’s death, Hester begins to plot a diabolical revenge, using her knowledge of the black arts to place a spell on her dog, and then gifting the satanic beast to her grief stricken niece, Audrey (Stephanie Dunnam). Soon, those closest to Audrey begin to get bumped off by her newly cursed pet in a series of increasingly violent ‘accidents,’ as Hester seeks to kill off all of her surviving family and leave Audrey to take the blame.

A low key Texas lensed supernatural thriller that was produced by a construction company, Peter Wittman’s PLAY DEAD, mixes Southern melodrama and a smattering of T&A, alongside its requisite bloodshed and occult tinged twists. Given only a scant theatrical release before being dumped to video, Vinegar Syndrome brings this regional sleeper to Blu-ray, newly restored in 2k from its original 35mm interpositive.

directed by: Peter Wittman
starring: Yvonne De Carlo, Stephanie Dunnam, Ron Jackson, David Cullinane, Glenn Kezer
1982 / 86 min / 1.85:1

Additional info:

  • Region Free Blu-ray/DVD combo
  • Newly scanned & restored in 2k from its 35mm interpositive
  • Video interview with director Peter Wittman
  • Audio interview with actress Stephanie Dunnam
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • Reversible cover artwork
  • English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.082192 / 5 from 73 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Play Dead, a supernatural thriller, has received positive feedback for its visually stunning transfer, nostalgic cover design, and creepy atmospheric scenes. Customers appreciate its unique killer dog concept and cult classic status, though some find it a bit weird.

Summary topics

  • Visual Quality: 13%
  • Cult Classic Status: 25%
  • Enjoyment Level: 20%
  • Cover Design: 13%

Review topics: ["quality","design","cover","work","looks","sound","transfer","movie","film","flick","dog","scenes","title","features","slipcover","presentation","addition","acting","budget","extras","dead","thriller","fidelity","fellas","interviews"].

Review highlights

  • "This flick is a lot of fun, transfer is insane and the special features are super informative."Ewan G.
  • "Transfer looks good and the release overall is great."Peter O.
  • "Neat reversible cover and disc design"Kresh R.

Reviews

Loved Play Dead!

"A Qoman puts a spell on her dog and it goes on a killing spree. It gets so weird and nutty but I loved it. Nice video quality and the subtitles were good too."

Nolan L. (5/5)

It's like an SNL sketch as a horror movie

"Remember the Toonces the Cat sketches on SNL or Conan's "Ginger" the German shepherd that shot people? This movie feels like one of those. A dog under a spell kills EVERYONE our lead loves and pins it on her. Genius."

Jason F. (3/5)

This bluray had a lot

"This bluray had a lot of well done extras. I wish I could have gotten the slipcover version but maybe vinegar syndrome will re-release it as a VSMC option in the future. Not sure what the word Fellas has to do with the review but its in mine since its suggested."

Bradley T. (5/5)

Woof

"This is a terrible, stupid movie that will be a lot more fun when watching with friends and drinks. While alone, I began to question the choices in life that have led up to this moment, but once I saw a Rottweiler dumping lye into a man's coffee, I realized I just needed 6-10 beers and good friends."

Derrick A. (3/5)

A ton of fun

"I saw a lot of people doggin on this movie saying it was ruff but I really enjoyed it"

Dylan W. (5/5)

Play Dead

"It´s a low budget regional horror, a slow burner that was a fun watch. Now just wait for VSMC slip . . ."

Hansi L. (5/5)

Another Tromatastic horror film

"On the movie's wikipedia page in the reception section there is just a single quote from someone's blog. That's pretty funny."

Zakaria S. (3/5)

A swing (and a miss) at Cujo meets The Omen

"Hoo boy. Not sure how I feel about this blind buy but I guess I got what I paid for? I was drawn in by the truly insane premise but I feel that it didn't quite go for the jugular the way it should have. As for the specs, the transfer is great and the only thing to really complain about is the anemic extras selection. The director interview is only 5 minutes long but the lengthier audio interview with star Stephanie Dunham adds more context. The LE slip design is cool is long sold out but might pop in VSMC someday. The verdict: Wait for a sale."

Shawn P. (3/5)

Fun “B” movie

"I didn’t expect much from this film, and that’s about what I got, lol. It was watchable, sometimes enjoyable, with Yvonne DeCarlo on auto-pilot and some great looking fellas (at least there’s that, eh?). The detective and sergeant were the best roles, though the dialog was consistently (wonderfully) inept. The transfer was excellent, that I must say, and the extras were a lot of fun (its’ director kvetching, “You’re asking me to remember something from 36 years ago?”). Recommended for VinSyn completists and people who do enjoy their “B” movies heavy on the direct-to-video, hidden on the bottom shelf at the video store, type of thing."

Donald M. (4/5)

Pair With A Lone Star and Friend Who Loves This Stuff

"Ms. Hester, in the Library, with the Rottweiler. Do you like cheapo regional cinema? Do you like "when animals attack" flicks? If so, give this one a shot, though I'd recommend picking it up during a sale. Also, murderous intent aside, what a good pup!"

Evan B. (3/5)

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