NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Vinegar Syndrome Labs Blu-ray (February 2023): Vinegar Syndrome Labs have transferred Julien Duvivier's Flesh and Fantasy to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Newly scanned & restored in 2K from its 35mm dupe negative". In 2007 we reviewed a Universal PAL DVD of Flesh and Fantasy HERE. By comparison it is significantly softer, less information in the frame and has PAL speedup. The Vinegar Syndrome transfer is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and, aside from a few speckles, looks impressive with grain texture and pleasing contrast. It is in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio and I thoroughly enjoyed by viewing. 

Vinegar Syndrome Labs is another VS sub-label - as they state "... we are hoping to expand and defy expectations with the diversity of films we restore and release. As the name implies, VSL will serve as a kind of testing area for releasing genres and eras of film that one might not immediately expect to come from VS. The ultimate objective of VSL will be to see if these types of films will find an audience, and if so, pursue and release more of them…and even if not, still serve as a means of restoring more of the weird, rare, and unusual movies you might not expect from Vinegar Syndrome." Personally, I hope they do more of this particular genre.

NOTE: We have added 86 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Vinegar Syndrome Labs use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Flesh and Fantasy has few aggressive moments that come through with modest depth but a fairly dramatic score by Alexander Tansman (Since You Went Away), that supports the film's ominous atmosphere(s) via in the lossless transfer. Vinegar Syndrome Labs offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

The Vinegar Syndrome Labs Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Barry Forshaw (author the BFI Film Classics' The War of the Worlds book) and the inestimable Kim Newman (author of Anno Dracula 1999: Daikaiju) They discuss on whether this is an actual; 'horror' and how it was a precursor of all the Amicus anthology introductions, how it was scheduled for 4 shorts but one was dropped ('the wrong one' as Kim describes), DoP Stanley Cortez and much more with plenty of viable cinematic and literary comparisons in the genre. Also included is an hour long featurette; “Fate News or The Dark World of Julien Duvivier” with French film director Christophe Gans (Brotherhood of the Wolf.)  He talks about Duvivier's work and Flesh and Fantasy - in French with optional English subtitles. There is also a stills gallery and video trailer. The package has reversible sleeve artwork.

I love Julien Duvivier's Flesh and Fantasy. Edward G.? Stanwyck? Boyer? Duvivier is the most neglected of the "Big Five" in the era of classic French cinema which includes Jean Renoir, Rene Clair, Jacques Feyder, and Marcel Carne. I really enjoyed the director's Panique from 1946. Flesh and Fantasy is an anthology involving three supernatural stories introduced by two friends in a private club - one sharing his nervous dream to the other. The camerawork is brilliant with low angles and ominous shadows throughout. The Vinegar Syndrome Labs Blu-ray is a huge advancement over SD - includes a new commentary, hour-long featurette and reversible artwork. Strongly recommended!

Gary Tooze