Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Play Dead Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 29, 2019

“Play Dead” is part of the killer dog subgenre, but it isn’t a tale of a frenzied beast prowling the streets on the hunt for human prey. It’s more of a slasher picture in design, with the central pooch executing complex schemes to terminate targets, with a demonic force helping to motivate the canine into acts of murder. It’s all fantastically ridiculous, but director Peter Wittman doesn’t push for any sort of reality, creating a campy romp with a four-legged star who’s very skilled at making life miserable for the lead character. “Play Dead” has a lot of laughs, most unintentional, but the entertainment value of the feature is high, with Wittman not terribly concerned with throttling foolishness, sticking closely to Lothrop W. Jordan’s script as they merge the mystery of Satanism with the craziness of a Rottweiler who’s capable of covering up her own murder scenes.

For wealthy heiress Hester (Yvonne De Carlo), the death of her sister couldn’t come fast enough, finally rid of a woman she perceives stole her man long ago. Hester has a loyal dog in Greta and fascination with black magic, using Satanic worship to help manipulate the world around her. She’s selected a new target for misery in Audrey (Stephanie Dunnam), her niece, and someone who’s enjoying a happy life with sibling Stephen (David Ellzey) and her attentive lover, Jeff (David Cullinane). Offering Greta to Audrey as company during a period of mourning, Hester returns to her mansion to work on her special voodoo, spiritually motivating Greta to kill her enemies, framing Audrey for the crimes. On the case is Detective Otis (Glenn Kezer), who’s determined to get to the bottom of seemingly accidental deaths, suspecting the dog is playing a part in the growing nightmare.

“Play Dead” didn’t have it easy after completion, ending up on the shelf for a few years before experiencing a European release, while in America, the 1982 feature had to wait until 1986 to find its audience, courtesy of Troma Entertainment. It’s difficult to understand exactly why the picture was such a hard sell for distributors, offering a certain level of wackiness that could easily find adoration with Midnight Movie audiences. After all, the production is offering Yvonne De Carlo as a high priestess of Satanism secretly manipulating a dog to carry out a series of attacks on her enemies, trying to pin the violent losses on the niece she loathes. It’s an instant cult movie for the taking.

What’s so great about “Play Dead” are the kill scenes, watching Greta work her animal magic to carry out Hester’s orders. One victim is frightened by a loud bark, stumbling into traffic. Another is electrocuted by a curling iron Greta drops into a bubble bath, with the dog remembering to hide the evidence. The best scene in the film involves the preparation of a glass of Alka-Seltzer, with Greta managing to pull out a can of lye from under a sink and add the poison to the bubbling cocktail. The pooch is a top-notch serial killer, and “Play Dead” offers plenty of time with the devil dog, with terrible step-printed imagery a visual cue that something awful is about to happen. Wittman’s insanity also extends to human behavior, featured in a scene where Audrey, who’s just suffered the loss of someone close to her, decides to have sex with her boyfriend in her living room, giving the production sellable skin to display. The whole saga with Detective Otis is amusing as well, finding the dumb cop trying to piece together clues that clearly lead to Greta’s guilt, conveniently ignoring a pentagram dog tag, which provides a distinct hint that something isn’t right about man’s best friend.

Play Dead Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Play Dead" is sourced from a 35mm interpositive. The viewing experience is immensely satisfying, with a tasteful refreshing of color, delivering vivid greenery and natural skintones. Primaries are bright and appealing, with bolder reds for demonic decoration and lighting, and period outfits offer shades of blue and yellow. Textures are plentiful, with dog hair precise and De Carlo's preference for furs open for study. Costuming also secures the smoothness of spandex and stiffness of suits. Distances are dimensional, and interiors highlight design choices. Facial surfaces are intact as well. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good shape, with some light wear and tear, resulting in an occasional scratches.

Play Dead Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix only displays age with periodic pops and quick dips of damage. Dialogue exchanges are compelling, with consistent clarity, preserving emotionality. Scoring is supportive, offering passable instrumentation. Sound effects are blunt but effective, adding some punch to scenes of violence.

Play Dead Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (5:48, HD) with director Peter Wittman is a brief chat about "Play Dead," a film he openly admits he doesn't really remember. Doing his best to recall the shooting experience, Wittman praises star Yvonne De Carlo and discusses his time working with the dogs. Distribution mysteries are explored, and career highlights are shared, including the creation of educational films and working for a few years as a history teacher.

• Audio Interview (25:27) spends time with Stephanie Dunnam, who recounts her casting in "Play Dead," which represented her second professional job. The discussion jumps around quite a bit, exploring the picture's premiere and her current career aspirations, working steadily in Georgia. Dunnam recalls the state of the Texas Film Industry during 1980, and shares memories of the "Play Dead" shoot, which was initially titled "Killer Poodle" before a Rottweiler was selected as the canine star. Most interesting is the interviewee's overview of the awkward love scene in the movie, and her unwillingness to participate in a nude scene, happily passing the burden of bare skin to a body double. Dunnam closes with appreciation for the learning experience.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:05, HD) is included.

Play Dead Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Play Dead" is absurd, but it's entertaining, with De Carlo giving the material her acting veteran best, selling the quiet intensity of Hester and her more outrageous acts of demonic intimidation, including animal sacrifice in her cozy basement altar. She seems to understand the type of feature she's in, and goes along with the general flow of nuttiness. Other cast members are more limited in range, but they commit, generate key insanity swirling around Audrey as she comes into constant contact with dead bodies, making her the primary suspect. There's a little overt violence with the dog's instinct to attack, gnawing on exposed flesh, but the screenplay is more interested in secretive games of murder, giving the material a slightly different spin, which is appealing. "Play Dead" isn't refined filmmaking, lacking any natural build-up of suspense, but Wittman generates an engaging B-movie experience, smartly concentrating on De Carlo's professionalism and Greta's sneakiness. She's no Cujo, but if you need an animal who knows how to cut the breakers inside a house, mix deadly cocktails, and somehow make a leash strangulation look like the owner's fault, she's the best dog for the job.