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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Dead Ringers
    Genre:Thriller

    Reviewed In Issue 32 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Jeremy Irons, Genevieve Bujold, Steven Lack

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 3.5
    Sound Rating: 3
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals
    Audio commentary by cast and crew members is included.

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Criterion Collection
    (Catalog Number): CC1527-L
    (MPAA Rating): Not Rated
    (Retail Price): $39.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 115
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): No
    (Theatrical Release): 1988
    (LD Release Date): 3/99
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): David Cronenberg
    (Screenplay/Written By): David Cronenberg & Norman Snider
    (Story): NA
    (Music): Howard Shore
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Carol Spier
    (Visual Effects): Film Effects
    (Costume Designer): Denise Cronenberg
    (Editor): Ronald Sanders
    (Supervising Sound Editors): NA
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): Carol Baum & Sylvio Tabet
    (Co-Producers): NA
    (Producers): David Cronenberg & Marc Boyman

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital): No
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Dead Ringers is based on the book “Twins” by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland, which is loosely based on a true story. Identical twin gynecologists, sensitive Beverly and suave Elliot (both played by Jeremy Irons) share everything—their home, their medical practice, and their women. Elliot seduces one of his patients (Genevieve Bujold), and, unbeknownst to her, turns her over to Beverly who elicits kinky behavior. When Claire discovers that she has secretly been involved with both twins, she leaves Beverly with the seeds of drug addiction planted for his destruction.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The 1.66:1 LaserDisc is the same transfer as the one previously reviewed in Issue 22. Images are sharp and detailed, with generally natural fleshtones, rich, sometimes stylized colors and deep, solid blacks. Contrast and shadow delineation are nicely rendered, though the overall quality of the picture is dark. Minor artifacts are apparent throughout.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The matrix encoded Dolby® Surround soundtrack is virtually identical to the previously reviewed LaserDisc. The soundtrack is largely undistinguished monaural with a limited and quiet music score providing mostly subtle surround. Occasionally, there is aggressive surround envelopment, but overall this is a mono experience with generally natural sounding dialogue.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
    (Aggressive System Surround): No
    (Intense 25Hz Bass): No
    (Deep Bass Challenging): No
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield): No
    (Aggressive Split Surround): No
    (Center Back Surround Imaging): No
    (Directionalized Dialogue): No
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    		 No
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    		 No
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    		 No
    Superb Cinematography:
    		 -
    Reference LaserDisc:
    		 No
    Collector Edition:
    		 No
    DVD To LaserDisc Comparison:
    The dual-layer DVD is not anamorphic, and is similar in quality to the LaserDisc, which is the same transfer as the one previously reviewed in Issue 22. Images are sharp and detailed, with generally natural fleshtones, rich, sometimes stylized colors and deep, solid blacks. Colors are more fully saturated on the DVD. There is significantly less noise apparent on the DVD. Contrast and shadow delineation are nicely rendered, though the overall quality of the picture is dark. Minor artifacts are apparent throughout, but the DVD is preferred for its clarity and solid appearance. Both LaserDisc and DVD are matted at 1.66:1. The LaserDisc and DVD matrix encoded Dolby® Surround soundtrack is virtually identical to the previously reviewed LaserDisc. The DVD version is encoded in Dolby Digital while the LaserDisc is PCM encoded. The soundtrack is largely undistinguished monaural with a limited and quiet music score providing mostly subtle surround. Occasionally, there is aggressive surround envelopment, but overall this is a mono experience with generally natural sounding dialogue.