We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages recently: The Block Island Sound (software uniformly simulated HDR), Bug (software uniformly simulated HDR), North By Northwest (software uniformly simulated HDR), Paper Moon, Bob le Flambeur (NO HDR applied to disc),  Play Misty for Me (software uniformly simulated HDR), Signs (software uniformly simulated HDR), A Simple Plan (software uniformly simulated HDR), Fright, The Tenant (software uniformly simulated HDR), Gummo, Demon Pond, Happiness, Cheeky (software uniformly simulated HDR), Produced By Val Lewton , The Long Good Friday, The Ladykillers (software uniformly simulated HDR), Torso (software uniformly simulated HDR), All of Us Strangers, Last Year at Marienbad (NO HDR applied to disc), Peril & Distress (And Soon the Darkness / Sudden Terror) (NO HDR applied to disc), The Case of the Bloody Iris (software uniformly simulated HDR), Reptilicus (software uniformly simulated HDR), Risky Business (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Conversation (software uniformly simulated HDR), Perfect Days, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) (software uniformly simulated HDR), Le samouraï  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Castle of Blood (software uniformly simulated HDR), Pat Garret and Billy the Kid (HDR), Fist of Legend (HDR), American Gigolo (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Long Wait (no HDR,) Bound (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Valiant Ones (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mute Witness (software uniformly simulated HDR), Narc (software uniformly simulated HDR), Peeping Tom (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Terrors House of Horrors (software uniformly simulated HDR), High Noon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Criterion) (software uniformly simulated HDR)

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution 4K UHD captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their 4K UHD, Indicator offer the option of DTS-HD Master mono tracks (24-bit) in the original French language or an optional English DUB. Requiem for a Vampire has quite a few silent pauses where the visuals have a more visceral, haunting, impact. There is violence and assaults with loud screaming. The score supporting atmosphere is by Pierre Raph (Rollin's Schoolgirl Hitchhikers, The Iron Rose, Demoniacs) with a few odd chords and fairy-tale echoes but advancing the tone. Indicator offer optional English translated and English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE 4K UHD.

There are plentiful extras on the 4K UHD disc starting with the commentary by favorites Troy Howarth (Assault on the System: The Nonconformist Cinema of John Carpenter) and Nathaniel Thompson (Mondo Digital.) They discuss similarities and differences to Rollin's other films with many tangential cult-Euro examples. They talk about Producer Sam Selsky, actors Marie-Pierre Castel, Mireille Dargent and others, the soundtrack, etc. Troy tells us that The Shiver of the Vampires is his favorite Rollin film. They talk about the fantastique genre being more suitable to describing Rollin oeuvre, comparisons to Jess Franco and more. As anticipated it's an excellent commentary. NOTE: a different voice interjects at 51:39 that 'Nathalie Perrey (The Two Orphan Vampires) was the caretaker for the two bats' used in the film.  There is also 22-minutes of a selected scenes commentary by Jean Rollin in English - of 8 scenes. This was on the Encore DVD from 2005. From 1998 we get Rollin Introducing ‘Requiem for a Vampire’ for 5-minutes. There are three newly edited, but archival, interviews with Rollin, actors Louise Dhour and Paul Bisciglia running a 20-minutes minutes in total. Repeated are the three Alternative "clothed" sequences. Ex. when Mireille Dargent is being chased by the man, she is topless; but in the censored scene, she is clothed. Les Frissons d’un requiem is a new 40-minute, in-depth, documentary on the making of Requiem for a Vampire by Rollin’s personal assistant, Daniel Gouyette, featuring interviews with key Rollin associates Jean-Noël Delamarre and Natalie Perrey, and film expert Daniel Bird (Pocket Essential series Roman Polanski.) The Poetry of Strangeness is a new 7-minute critical appreciation by author and film historian Virginie Sélavy (The End: An Electric Sheep Anthology.) The Last Book is from 2005 and spends 9-minutes with Rollin as he talks about his work as a novelist and reads from one of his short stories. There are three original theatrical trailers (French, English and 'Caged Virgins' title) Lastly are image galleries of promotional and publicity material, and behind the scenes. The package includes a limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Maria J Pérez Cuervo, archival writing by Jean Rollin on the making of the film, an archival interview with the director by Peter Blumenstock, an extract from the film’s pressbook, an English translation of Rollin’s story ‘The Last Book’, and full film credits,

Indicator have already upgraded Rollin's The Rape of the Vampire, The Shiver of the Vampires, Lips of Blood, The Demoniacs, The Night of the Hunted, Fascination, The Nude Vampire and The Two Orphan Vampires to 4K UHD with, outside the horror genre, The Escapees simultaneously released in this format with "Requiem for a Vampire". Each are premium examples of the superiority of this 2160P home theatre format that certainly elevate the viewing experience. One of the appealing aspects of the Jean Rollin's Requiem for a Vampire is his usual tropes; a tired ailing vampire, a Gothic-atmosphere chateau, two young sexy protagonists, the French countryside, a graveyard etc. Requiem for a Vampire embraces Rollin's 'style over substance' and once you except that it's a more enjoyable genre film experience. Indicator's 4K UHD has the two versions, commentaries, documentary, analysis, interviews, booklet and more. It's another exceptional package from them. Rollin fans don't require my endorsement. They won't be disappointed.

Gary Tooze