ADDITION: Indicator 4K UHD (August 2023): Indicator have released Jean Rollin's "The Rape of the Vampire" (Le viol du vampire) to 4K UHD. Over a decade ago, we compared two DVDs to the 2012 Redemption Blu-ray HERE. This 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) looks magnificent. This package is only one disc (no second disc Blu-ray) and has a plethora of extras including two commentaries. We've compared some captures to the previous digital editions below. This 2160P image has one of the highest bitrates we have ever seen and the image benefited extensively with beautifully rendered fine grain textures. It is darker than the Blu-ray as that BD was darker than the DVDs. Contrast is wonderfully layered with rich, deep, black levels and close-ups are impressively detailed. I think this image quality is absolutely gorgeous. Top marks!      

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or with Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

NOTE: 54 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: Gorgo (software uniformly simulated HDR), Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (software uniformly simulated HDR),  The Man From Hong Kong (software uniformly simulated HDR), One False Move, The Tall T (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cold Eyes of Fear (software uniformly simulated HDR), Rules of the Game (no HDR), The Manchurian Candidate (software uniformly simulated HDR), After Hours, Rain Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Changeling (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Night of the Hunter (software uniformly simulated HDR), 12 Angry Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (no HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (software uniformly simulated HDR), Two Orphan Vampires, The Shiver of the Vampires, Drowning By Number (software uniformly simulated HDR), Serpico (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cool Hand Luke (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Seventh Seal (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Maltese Falcon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mildred Pierce (software uniformly simulated HDR), Tár (software uniformly simulated HDR), Marathon Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dazed and Confused (software uniformly simulated HDR), Three Colors: Blue (software uniformly simulated HDR), Invaders From Mars (software uniformly simulated HDR), Death Wish (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (no HDR), High Plains Drifter (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mystery Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Silent Running (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dressed to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Power of the Dog  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Escape From Alcatraz (software uniformly simulated HDR), I, the Jury (no HDR), Casablanca (software uniformly simulated HDR), In the Mood For Love (NO HDR applied to disc), The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Blow Out (software uniformly simulated HDR), Night of the Living Dead (NO HDR applied to disc), Lost Highway (software uniformly simulated HDR), Videodrome (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Picture Show (software uniformly simulated HDR), It Happened One Night (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Mummy (1932)(software uniformly simulated HDR), Creature From the Black Lagoon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Bride of Frankenstein (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Amityville Horror  (software uniformly simulated HDR), The War of the Worlds (1953) (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Incredible Melting Man  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Event Horizon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Killing (software uniformly simulated HDR), Killer's Kiss (software uniformly simulated HDR.)

On their 4K UHD, Indicator use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original French language. "The Rape of the Vampire" doesn't have extensive audio effects although there is violence and a scene with shrieks of terror. The score is credited to Yvon Géraud and François Tusques (part 2) - both their first composure credit and for Géraud, his only one. Tim Lucas notes in his commentary a music shift from neo classical to avant garde in the film's two parts. I noted some jazz-influence - it certainly suits Rollin's uniqueness. The audio is clear if sometimes imperfect from the original production limitations. The disc offers optional English subtitles for the feature (and the Rollin commentary) - and is, like all 4K UHD, region FREE, playable worldwide.

There are plentiful extras on the 4K UHD disc starting with the first from 2007 by Jean Rollin in French and optionally subtitled in English (Eric tells us: "some of the previous releases have had Rollin doing selected scene commentary in English".). The second commentary is by film expert and author Tim Lucas (author of The Book of Renfield: A Gospel of Dracula) who wrote a 16-page booklet for the original Redemption BD. He discusses 'Folk Horror', The Rape of the Vampire being Rollin's feature debut, what was transpiring in France at the premiere - Charles De Gaulle, riots etc., the history of the film (Dead Man Walk) - unique at the time, witches / witchcraft, producer Sam Selsky, PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder), the alt-title in theatres 'virgin and vampires', how the film is not meant to scare but deconstruct with a view of social ills. Tim mentions some of the contemporary vampire films at the same time, he identifies scenes with Rollin, how 4K for this film is like the first day you wear glasses, The Rape of the Vampire having surrealist or Dadaist qualities, seeing vampires not as monsters but simply different people and the natural expansion of that theme, controversial movies - Georges Franju with the touch of a poet and much more about the cast and crew. It's at his always enjoyable, and observant level. I had forgotten how good Tim is. Also as extras are a previously seen Jean Rollin introduction to the movie from 1998, plus a video piece of Jean Rollin on The Rape of the Vampire from 2007 that has the director in conversation with festival programmer and journalist Joshua T. Gravel at the Fantasia Film Festival, Montreal. Fragments of Pavement Under Sand is a 1/2 hour updated documentary on the making of the movie, directed by Rollin’s personal assistant, Daniel Gouyette, and including interviews with key collaborators Jean-Denis Bonan, Jean-Pierre Bouyxou and Jean-Loup Philippe. The is a new 40-minute interview with Jean-Denis Bonan, editor of the movie and assistant director on The Far Countries. There are newly edited archival interviews with actor Jacqueline Sieger, actor Alain Yves Beaujour, composer François Tusques and a wonderful new critical appreciation by author and film historian Virginie Sélavy. Included is a brief alternative scene, a pared down Super 8 version used for home cinema presentations and running just over 1/4 hour. Some may appreciate a new 4K restoration of The Far Countries (Le Pays loins, 1965): Rollin’s second fictional short film tells of a couple lost in a maze of streets who can’t remember how they got there. It is offered with a 2007 commentary with Rollin and an image gallery for that film. L’Itinéraire Souvenir is a 2018 artistic reconstruction of Rollin’s lost work from 1962 by filmmakers Victor Poucalow and Raja Tawil running almost 1/2 hour and there is also a short history of that film. Lastly are an original theatrical trailer, more image galleries of promotional, publicity material, and behind the scenes and the package has a limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Beatrice Loayza, archival writing by Jean Rollin on the making of the film, an archival interview with the director by Peter Blumenstock, Jean Rollin’s recollections of shooting The Far Countries, and full film credits.

Indicator's release of Jean Rollin's "The Rape of the Vampire" (Le viol du vampire) to 4K UHD is my favorite of the UK company's packages in this new format. As well as a magnificent image quality, the package is stacked with extras including interviews, an appreciation, a booklet etc. and two commentaries including a new one by Tim Lucas! The Rape of the Vampire remains an important film in the director/writer's oeuvre with many repeated themes seen later in his films. We have four vampiric sisters (or so they believe to be) slinking around an old château. The sisters are played by the likes of models (ex. Ursule Pauly) and 'strippers' (ex. Nicole Romain) etc. The characters all react negatively to crucifixes and we find they are being manipulated by an old man; 'Le châtelain' (Doc Moyle.) Jacqueline Sieger - who has an Eartha Kitt vibe going on - plays (uncredited) the Vampire Queen with great panache. Rollin's movies can be challenging, confrontational... and interpretational. Most have female vampirism and eroticism - this one is all over the place in terms of a story. I appreciated the Lucas commentary in filling in my 'gaps' of many parts of The Rape of the Vampire. I'll be keeping this 4K UHD - which, I guess, is a personal recommendation - although the film will not be to all tastes.   

Gary Tooze