Lady Stay Dead Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Lady Stay Dead Blu-ray Movie Review

Lady, Stay Dead is an entertaining horror genre classic. Executive produced by Alex Hopkins, Lady, Stay Dead is considered an Australian genre rarity and classic. Produced by Terry Bourke (Noon Sunday, Inn of the Damned), Lady, Stay Dead is a cult genre film for horror enthusiasts.

A multimillionaire pop singer lives a life of seclusion in a luxury estate alongside the beautiful beach of Sydney. Marie Coleby (Deborah Coulls) enjoys her success as a pop singer but makes a big mistake by interacting with a deranged peeping tom (Chard Hayward) working on her garden. After allowing the peeping tom to enter her luxurious estate, a casual encounter turns more sinister when the peeping tom attacks, rapes, and murders her.

Marie’s sister Jenny (Deborah Howitt) arrives at the scene. Now the peeping tom is having trouble figuring out where to hide the body. Jenny now becomes a potential victim, added to his growing kill list. Can Jenny also survive the violent attacks of the peeping tom? As the conclusion unfolds, a chainsaw, garden shears, and homemade bombs amp up the stakes of the confrontation.

Deborah Coulls and Deborah Howitt provide compelling performances in the film. The actresses bring something special to the table. The actresses delve into their roles with a clear dedication. Chard Hayward is enormously creepy and effective as the menacing peeping tom – a total creep with a performance that is believable throughout.

Edited by Ron Williams (The Man from Hong Kong, The Best of Friends), Lady, Stay Dead is well paced. The editing was well done throughout. Williams handled the editing style with precision and the film flows well from beginning to end. There is certainly a cohesion to the editorial vision.

Featuring art direction by Bob Hill (Palm Beach, Taurus Rising), Lady, Stay Dead highlights the artistry of the production well. Hill is a talented art director and someone with a keen understanding of the genre elements. A good effort for the aesthetic of the film.

Composed by Bob Young (Journey Out of Darkness, The Lost Islands), Lady, Stay Dead has a solid score. The music adds some eeriness and suspense to the genre elements. The horror score works well with building up tension and scares.

Featuring cinematography by Ray Henman (The Snow Goose, The Distant Home), Lady, Stay Dead offers up classic old-school genre cinematography that evokes a certain place and time. The classic visual style works well for the filmmaking. The genre element is well highlighted throughout.

Written and directed by Terry Bourke (Inn of the Damned, Noon Sunday), Lady, Stay Dead is a decent and engaging horror-thriller. Though not a perfect horror classic it does offer some suspense and it provides plenty of genre elements to keep horror fans entertained. An under-the-radar cult film.

Lady Stay Dead Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Umbrella Entertainment, Lady, Stay Dead is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The high-definition video presentation looks naturally filmic throughout. The presentation provides crisp details throughout the transfer. Color reproduction is well done on the release. The scan is free from egregious issues with print damage or wear.

Lady Stay Dead Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English uncompressed PCM 2.0 mono. The lossless audio presentation is crisp and engaging. The lossless audio sounds clear on the release. Dialogue is well reproduced. An impressive soundstage. The sound effects are well implemented into the sound mix.

Lady Stay Dead Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

2024 Interview with Actor Chard Hayward (Audio Only) (HD, 12:40)

Not Quite Hollywood Interview With Actor Roger Ward (HD, 6:54)

Archival Interview With Co-Producer John Hipwell Conducted by Film Buff Paul Harris (Audio Only) (HD, 28:03)

The D.W. Griffith of Ozploitation – A Visual Essay on the Career of Filmmaker Terry Bourke By Film Buff Paul Harris (HD, 17:52)

Terry Bourke Trailer Reel (HD, 27:10)

The VHS Experience (SD, 1:34:50)

Stills Gallery (HD, 2:54)

Theatrical Trailer (HD, 3:32)

Lady Stay Dead Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lady, Stay Dead is a solid genre outing. The horror filmmaking is entertaining and engaging. Lady, Stay Dead is well worthwhile for horror fans. The Blu-ray release provides an excellent high-definition presentation, lossless audio, and a selection of bonus features. Recommended.