directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
USA 1946

 

Based upon the bestselling novel “Dragonwyck” by Anya Seton, this is Joseph L. Mankiewicz’ directorial debut.

It tells the story of the naïve farm girl Miranda (Gene Tierney). When she gets an invitation from a distant cousin, Nicholas Van Ryn (Vincent Price), to stay at his mansion. After much persuasion, she talks her father into letting her leave and thus she leaves her very religious family to live a life with the terribly rich and elegant.

But life at Dragonwyck is not quiet what she expected. Van Ryn is cold and tyrannical, and both his wife and daughters starve for affection. When his wife dies, he asks for the hand of Miranda, but she declines and returns home. However Van Ryn is set to marry Miranda, and after a few months he pays the family a visit and asks for her hand once more.

Returning to Dragonwyck, his kindness towards her soon turns into cold. Not only does their newborn son die, but a new law also allows the tenants to buy their land, which leaves Van Ryn without income. Soon Miranda falls ill, and her doctor suspects her of being poisoned, the same way Van Ryn poisoned his former wife. When Van Ryn is confronted, he reveals himself as mad and is shot. The doctor accompanies Miranda to her home.

Originally to be directed by Ernest Lubitsch, he fell ill and Mankiewicz, who wrote the adaptation, was offered the directors chair. From a production point of view, a very safe first film. The book was a bestseller and the chemistry between Gene Tierney and Vincent Price had already been proven solid twice before in “Laura” by Otto Preminger in 1944 and in “Leave her to Heaven” by John Stahl in 1945, for which Tierney got an Oscar nomination.

It is not really a Mankiewicz, or for that matter a Lubitsch, type of film, being a somewhat ordinary gothic romantic drama, but Mankiewicz takes full advantage of his leading actors, even though one can argue, that Tierney perhaps is miscast, even though she plays her naivety brilliantly. On the other hand, Price is superb as the mad Dutch aristocrat, who hates his wife for not giving him a son, and blames Miranda for the death of his newborn son.

The result is a haunting classic gothic tale and a must-see for all lovers of Tierney, Price and Mankiewicz. Highly recommended.

 

Henrik Sylow

Posters

Theatrical Release: April 10, 1946

Reviews     DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison: 

Optimum - Region 2 - PAL vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL*

*This DVD is only available in the Mankiewicz Boxset which also includes A Letter to Three Wives (compared HERE) and 5 Fingers.

Big thanks to Vincent L. and  Henrik Sylow for captures!

(Optimum - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover

 

*This DVD is only available in the Mankiewicz Boxset which also includes A Letter to Three Wives (compared HERE) and 5 Fingers.

Distribution

Optimum

Region 2 - PAL

Carlotta Films
Region 2 PAL
Runtime 1:39:00 (4% PAL speedup) 1:38:33 (4% PAL speedup)
Video

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.40 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.0 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate : Optimum

Bitrate - Carlotta Films

Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital English 2.0 Dolby Digital English
Subtitles none French, none
Features Release Information:
Studio: Optimum

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• none

DVD Release Date: April 4, 2005
Keep Case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio: Carlotta Films

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:

Interview of Pascal Mérigeau (12:03 / French)
Interview of J. P. Berthomé (12:30 / French)
Audio commentary on selected scenes by J. P. Berthomé (10:25 / French)
Gene Tierney (8:10 / French)
Part 1 of an Interview with J. L. Mankiewicz (51:41 / English with removable French subtitles)


DVD Release Date: November 17th, 2004
Keep Case

Chapters 12

 

 

Comments ADDITION: Carlotta Films - PAL - Dec 05' - Image quality appears equal. Although the majority of the Carlotta extras are in French (including the commentary), the 51 minute Mankiewicz interview is in English with optional French subs. It seems like a decent boxset for the three Mankiewicz titles, but for frugality - the Optimum is the way to go fore this film.

****

The image lacks sharpness in details, especially in long shots, there are occasional edge enhancements and colour banding, but overall a decent image, especially considering this to be a DVD-5 release. Blacks are solid and the darker the scenes, the better the image.

Sound is 2.0 Dolby Digital and is clear without any noise.

As a discount release from Optimum, it lacks any extras and subtitles. But considering how rare this film is, it is a most welcomed release.

 - Henrik Sylow

 

 






DVD Menus
 

(Optimum - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL RIGHT)
 

 

 

 


Screen Captures


Captures in 768px native resolution

(Optimum - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

 

 


 

(Optimum - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

 

 


 

(Optimum - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

 

 


 

(Optimum - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

 

 


 

(Optimum - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

 

 


 

(Optimum - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

 

 


 

(Optimum - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM)

 

 

Report Card:

 

Image:

tie

Sound:

-

Extras: Carlotta
Menu: Carlotta

 

DVD Box Cover

 

*This DVD is only available in the Mankiewicz Boxset which also includes A Letter to Three Wives (compared HERE) and 5 Fingers.

Distribution

Optimum

Region 2 - PAL

Carlotta Films
Region 2 PAL




 

Hit Counter

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive and advertisement free:

Mail cheques, money orders, cash to:    or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

1775 Rowntree Court

Mississauga, Ontario,

L4W 4V3    CANADA

Thank You!

Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz's - Dragonwyck - Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review Joseph L. Mankiewicz Dragonwyck Gene Tierney DVD Review