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("Dominque is Dead" or "Dominique Is Dead... Or Is She?" or "Avenging Spirit")

 

Directed by Michael Anderson
 UK 1979

 

Wealthy Dominique Ballard (Jean Simmons; Spartacus) lives with her husband David (Cliff Robertson; Obsession, Man on a Swing) in Dominique's giant English estate. Emotionally fragile, Dominique is harassed, tormented, and eventually driven mad by David until one night she hangs herself, resulting in her entire fortune being left to her husband. But what at first seems like a clever inheritance scheme soon becomes a waking nightmare for David as Dominique's spirit is not at rest and has instead risen from the grave to haunt him and avenge her death. But is the evil presence that appears to be seeking vengeance from the afterlife actually David's dearly departed wife or is someone else attempting their own elaborate and deadly hoax?

A suspenseful supernatural thriller from Michael Anderson (Logan's Run), DOMINIQUE (also known as Dominique is Dead) co-stars Jenny Agutter (Walkabout) and Judy Geeson (10 Rillington Place). Sumptuously photographed by Oscar winner Ted Moore (A Man For All Seasons, Goldfinger), Vinegar Syndrome brings DOMINIQUE to Blu-ray for the first time in an all new 2k restoration.  

Posters

Theatrical Release: March 1979 (Paris Festival of Fantastic Films)

Reviews                                                More Reviews                                          DVD Reviews

 

Review: Vinegar Syndrome - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover

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Distribution Vinegar Syndrome - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:35:17.211         
Video

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 30,746,120,800 bytes

Feature: 27,285,414,528 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.84 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Audio

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1486 kbps 1.0 / 96 kHz / 1486 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles English (SDH), None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Vinegar Syndrome

 

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 30,746,120,800 bytes

Feature: 27,285,414,528 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.84 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Audio interview with actor Michael Jayston (14:54)
 • Audio interview with assistant director Brian Cook (24:06)
 • Original theatrical trailer (03:09)
 • Reversible cover artwork

DVD


 Blu-ray Release Date: March 26th, 2019
 Standard Blu-ray Case inside cardboard sleeve

Chapters 6

 

 

Comments:

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

Vinegar Syndrome transfer the 1979 spooky thriller "Dominique" on a dual-layered Blu-ray disc with an accompanying DVD. The 1.85:1 HD image is given a maxed-out bitrate. This is 'newly scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm negative'. The texture of the image is quite grain heavy, with the occasional scratch or blip. These instances of damage are sporadic and should not deter anyone from watching the film. "Dominique" is notable for its use of red, blue, and green light filters creating a surreal atmosphere. These colors seem to be faithfully represented for this transfer. A lot of scenes take place in the dark, emphasizing the unknown lurking in the shadows. The contrast levels are decent here, without crushing blacks. A fine 1080P transfer from the folks at Vinegar Syndrome.

Vinegar Syndrome offer a 24-bit 1.0 DTS-HD Master audio mono track for the film. Though it sounds a little flat at times, dialogue is clear and there isn't any audible hissing or pops. The creepy and melodramatic score is thanks to David Whitaker (Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde, Scream and Scream Again, Vampire Circus) There are optional English SDH subtitles on this Region Free Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

Aside from the film's original theatrical trailer, the only two extras are audio interviews. The first is a 15-minute phone-call interview with actor Michael Jayston talking with Brandon Upson from Vinegar Syndrome. The audio quality of the call is a little rough, but Jayston reminisces about his career, including his TV work on Dr. Who. Up next is another audio interview with "Dominique" assistant director Brian Cook. The audio is a little clearer in this 24-minute interview. Cook talks about how he got into film in the 60s, as well as his time working on "Dominique". There is also a reversible cover with alternate art-work and a second disc DVD.

"Dominique" is a lot of fun. Though the essence of the story would feel right at home in an episode of "Tales From the Crypt" or "The Twilight Zone" (I bet you can guess the twists a mile away), the film succeeds at creating a unique and surreal mood, with its ingenious lighting and camera work. I would recommend this Blu-ray/DVD combo to horror fans, it's worth checking out.

Colin Zavitz

 

Menus / Extras

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Box Cover

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Distribution Vinegar Syndrome - Region FREE - Blu-ray


 


 

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