The parralels with A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET are uncanny… so are the links to other dream inspired films of the era. DREAMSCAPE is an obvious one. Being challenged by a dream and its conclusions. THE 5000 FINGERS OF DR T is another that appears. Childhood trauma. THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE surfaces with its fear of sex and the body and so does DOUBLE EXPOSURE in a more subtle way. Yes its in that shocking scene. But I suspect that is only half the story here. The directors cut suggests that the obsession of media types with our body is as much a driving factor. What we do in the bedroom fascinates people. Diana (Jemma Redgrave) is a bride-to-be with issues. Her upcoming wedding to a decorated war hero Oliver (Mark Greenstreet) sees all and sundry interested in her and its pomp and ceremony. Her London home is far from her safe place however as she begins to experience strange and terrifying nightmares. Sleazy ball journos Peck and Paul (Timothy Spall and Jimmy Nail) are not making matters easier. Only an American tourist Jenny (Annabelle Lanyon), gives her some rest bite and maybe an answer. This is all very telling. The British quest for news and scandal are replicated by American feelings of inferiority and ancestry. The key point for me is the casts ability to play the piece as both scathing satire and horrific demon feature. DREAM DEMON did poorly at the box office and seemingly the only reason is that it never seems to shy away from being  pointed.  To the audience at the time (as the commentary suggests) they didn’t get that this was its own film and not a knock off NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. They took the absurd and excessive dreams to be telling of an absurd idea. Not a woman repression and sexual complex in visual form.

THE DISC

The 2K stunningly crafts a red splatter and colour pallette of tonals and riches. This is very good indeed. Projected it loses a touch of the depth in frame but it is very good.

THE EXTRAS

I always skimp on extras. This is not me being hostile to them more I want to just show you the best. The interviews do not get much into the film. Foundations of Nightmare: The Making of Dream Demon is a better start point and the best thing on the disc. Well bar the commentary which has so much to offer. Cokeliss much more than Webster. His passion and intelligence is worth sometime.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative, supervised and approved by director Harley Cokeliss
• Director’s Cut and Original Theatrical Version
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original uncompressed stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new scene-select audio commentary with director Harley Cokeliss and producer Paul Webster
• Newly-filmed interview with director Harley Cokeliss
• Newly-filmed interview with producer Paul Webster
• Newly-filmed interview with actress Jemma Redgrave
• Newly-filmed interview with actor Mark Greenstreet
• Newly-filmed interview with actor Nickolas Grace
• Newly-filmed interview with actress Annabelle Lanyon
• Newly-filmed interview with composer Bill Nelson
• Foundations of Nightmare: The Making of Dream Demon – contemporary documentary taking a look behind the scenes of the production of Dream Demon, featuring on-set interviews with director Harley Cokeliss, producer Paul Webster, actors Timothy Spall, Jemma Redgrave, Kathleen Wilhoite, composer Bill Nelson and many more
• Image Galleries
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Christopher Shy

FIRST PRESSING ONLY! – Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anne Billson, author of the Dream Demon novelisation, and director Harley Cokeliss – Reversible poster featuring exclusive newly-commissioned artwork by Christopher Shy