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(aka "Faux semblants" or "Blodbrødre" or "Die unzertrennlichen")
directed
by David Cronenberg
Canada / USA 1988
In Dead Ringers, David Cronenberg tells the chilling story of identical twin gynecologists—suave Elliot and sensitive Beverly, bipolar sides of one personality—who share the same practice, the same apartment, the same women. When a new patient, glamorous actress Claire Niveau, challenges their eerie bond, they descend into a whirlpool of sexual confusion, drugs, and madness. Jeremy Irons’ tour-de-force performance—as both twins—raises disturbing questions about the nature of personal identity.
Posters
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Theatrical Release: 8 September 1988, Canada - Toronto Film Festival
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
On Air - Region 2 - PAL vs. Holland Criterion/Video Film Express - Region 2 - PAl vs. Criterion (oop) - Region 0 - NTSC
Big thanks to Ole Kofoed and Will Kelly for the Screen Caps!
(On Air - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Holland Criterion/Video Film Express - Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
On Air Region 2 - PAL |
Holland Criterion/Video Film Express Region 2 - PAL |
Criterion Collection - Spine # 21 Region 0 - NTSC |
| Runtime | 1:50:43 (4% PAL speedup) | 1:50:44 | 1:55:32 |
| Video |
1.85:1
Cropped Aspect Ratio |
1.89:1
Cropped Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.9 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s |
1.64
Original Aspect Ratio |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
On Air
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Bitrate:
Holland Criterion |
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Bitrate:
Criterion
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| Audio | English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround |
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo English Dolby Digital 5.1 (384 kbps) |
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround |
| Subtitles | Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish or none. | Dutch, none | None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: On Air Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
Chapters 20 |
Release Information: Studio: Holland Criterion / Video Film Express Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date:
unknown Chapters 4 2 |
Release Information: Studio: Criterion / Home Vision Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: October 13, 1998 Chapters 43 |
| Comments |
ADDITION
- Criterion Holland - Video Film Express (Sept -04) - Although on the box
it is stated as 1.66 it is actually around 1.89 and therefore not the
original aspect ratio. It looks as though they have purchased the
Criterion extra features which match to a 'T', except the color on the
Cronenberg featurette has a green haze to it. The feature image is
likewise distorted. It appears to be even more hazy than the 'On Air' PAL
edition, but has the vibrant colors of the Criterion. Anyway, its a pass
for the image and the aspect ratio. Don't bother. ************** The out-of-print Criterion, in the proper aspect ratio of around 1.66, is showing much more image in the bottom of the frame than the "On Air, which has been cropped to 1.85. The non-anamorphic, early Criterion DVD is also sharper, brighter and has more vibrant colors. Contrast is also far better but skin tones do look a little reddish. Extras are kind of impossible to equal in the case of the Criterion. Stacked with a directors commentary, featurette etc. as per par for the course, we suggest the Criterion - at Amazon's Marketplace for almost $70 - Cronenberg fans will not be complete without it. There is also a Dutch release with extras ported from the Criterion (see HERE). Certainly cheaper but has PAL speedup and we are unsure of the transfer quality. - Gary W. Tooze |
(On
Air - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Holland Criterion/Video Film Express -
Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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Screen Captures
NOTE: All captures are in native resolution!
(On Air - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Holland Criterion/Video Film Express - Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(On Air - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Holland Criterion/Video Film Express - Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(On Air - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Holland Criterion/Video Film Express - Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(On Air - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Holland Criterion/Video Film Express - Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(On Air - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Holland Criterion/Video Film Express - Region 2 - PAL - MIDDLE vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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Report Card:
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Image: |
Criterion |
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Sound: |
Video Film Express |
| Extras: | Criterion Video Film Express |
| Menu: | On Air |
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Gary Tooze
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Many Thanks...