Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Beyond Dream's Door Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 25, 2021

1989’s “Beyond Dream’s Door” represents Jay Woelfel’s directorial debut, working to bring a 1983 short film up to feature-length standards and impress the world with his helming skills. The picture is a descent into nightmares and dreamscapes, following a young college student as he battles with unreality, pulling others into his survival challenge. Woelfel comes prepared for war, serving up a professional-looking movie that’s loaded with moving cameras and dramatic lighting. There’s just no story to follow or characters to connect to, with the abstract nature of the endeavor growing wearisome as it becomes clear “Beyond Dream’s Door” is really just an overlong directorial showcase for Woelfel, who works extra hard to deliver a visual experience.

The effort tracks a deteriorating reality surrounding Ben (Nick Baldasare), a psychology student having trouble accessing his dreams. Additional characters make their way through “Beyond Dream’s Door,” but Ben’s urgency is never clarified, making the movie an 80-minute-long voyage into surrealism, with the main character coming into contact with a topless temptress, a monster, zombies, and a school janitor who doesn’t have hands. “Beyond Dream’s Door” takes its inspiration from author H.P. Lovecraft, presenting a gruesome study of violent imagery, but there’s a more sedate side to the picture as well, feeling around poetry readings and childhood memories, which includes enough red balloon and sewer footage to suggest Woelfel was equally inspired by Stephen King.

Much of “Beyond Dream’s Door” is open for interpretation. The production doesn’t make an effort to dazzle with storytelling, keeping things abstract with Ben’s experiences in another reality. The filmmaking is periodically impressive, watching as Woelfel keeps his camera on the move and uses editing to manufacture interesting nightmare encounters. However, technical practice only takes the feature so far, with the rest of “Beyond Dream’s Door” providing a passive viewing experience.

Beyond Dream's Door Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Vinegar Syndrome includes a note at the beginning "Beyond Dream's Door" explaining that "several rolls of the original negative were lost," requiring the use of a video master to cover the gaps. These shots (including screenshot #5) are easy to spot, but don't disrupt the viewing experience. The AVC encoded image (1.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation secures the highlights of the 16mm-shot feature, delivering heavy but film-like grain and as much detail as the cinematography allows, offering compelling facial particulars and dreamscape textures. Colors are superbly refreshed, bringing out rich reds and blues with nightmare visits. Period outfits offer more varied hues. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory.

Beyond Dream's Door Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix maintains active surrounds, offering a circular sense of Ben's struggle with his sleepy time enemies, with some panning effects to keep things interesting. Dialogue exchanges are precise, with distinct performance choices. Synth scoring is sharp, comfortably balanced with the action. Sound effects are pronounced throughout the listening event. Low-end isn't challenged.

Beyond Dream's Door Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Jay Woelfel, cinematographer Scott Spears, and actors Nick Baldasare and Rick Kesler.

• Commentary #2 features actor Nick Baldasare.

• Commentary (Archival) #3 features director Jay Woelfel, cinematographer Scott Spears, and actors Nick Baldasare and Rick Kesler.

• Commentary (Archival) #4 features director Jay Woelfel.

• "Where Horror Lies" (41:40, HD) is a making-of for "Beyond Dream's Door," featuring interviews with director Jay Woelfel, cinematographer Scott Spears, producer Dyrk Ashton, and actors Rick Baldasare and Rick Kesler. The group shares the state of their lives in the mid- 1980s, with Woelfel eager to make a movie, but finding resources limited in Ohio. Electing to transform a short film into "Beyond Dream's Door," Woelfel made his way to the Cannes Film Festival to learn more about potential distribution. Working with Ohio State University, production began, with the low-budget nature of the shoot providing an educational experience for all involved. Casting is analyzed and on-set memories are shared. Most interesting is Woelfel's recollection of the time period, with marketplace demands drying up just as he was about to enter the business. Reflections on the feature are also shared.

• "Beyond Dream's Door" (20:52, SD) is a 1983 short film from Jay Woelfel, presented with or without commentary by the director.

• "The Short Version" (7:47, SD) is a 2003 making-of for the "Beyond Dream's Door" short film, featuring interviews with actors Rick Baldasare and Rick Kesler, and videographer Jose Cardenas.

• Raw Footage (4:29, SD) offers dreamscape imagery.

• "At the Door of Darkness" (7:31, SD) is a 1983 short film from Jay Woelfel, presented with or without commentary by the director.

• "Come to Me Softly" (8:10, HD) is a 1988 short film from Jay Woelfel, presented with or without commentary by the director.

• Interview (1:34, SD) sits down with actor Rick Kesler to discuss the short.

• Making Of (34:21, SD) is a 2003 documentary on the creation of "Beyond Dream's Door," featuring interviews with director Jay Woelfel, cinematographer Scott Spears, videographer Jose Cardenas, producer Dyrk Ashton, and actors Rick Baldasare and Rick Kesler. Of interest is the use of BTS footage, providing a glimpse of the production in motion.

• Used and Alternate FX Footage (5:24, SD) collects takes featuring the film's central creature.

• Used and Alternate Takes (10:57, SD) present more dreamscape footage.

• Bloopers and Behind the Scenes (5:54, SD) includes random production activity.

• Local News Coverage (4:07, SD) details the media excitement surrounding the creation of "Beyond Dream's Door."

• Deleted Scenes (SD) offer "The Sewer Escape" (1:05) and "The Phone Booth" (1:08).

• And the Original Trailer (2:00, SD) and the Re-release Trailer (2:51, SD) are included.

Beyond Dream's Door Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Beyond Dream's Door" remains a B-movie curiosity, though one with a more substantial interest in technical achievements and overall presentation. It sinks as a thriller, with Woelfel more interested in becoming a basement Bunuel, working hard to turn the wilds of Ohio into a portal to cinematic hell.