This 2160P looks quite good with some inherent softness, often darker interiors but, mostly, brighter day-lit exteriors, and deeper, richer colors (notable reds and maroons), has fine film grain and the overall image is very clean and consistent. It's a huge step above the SD transfers in every visual facet. It looked extremely film-like on my system.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or 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: 52 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

Our latest reviewed 4K UHD packages: Lips of Blood (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Others (no HDR), It Came From Outer Space (software uniformly simulated HDR), Don't Look Now, Rosemary's Baby (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Wave (no HDR), The Train (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Trial (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Walkabout (software uniformly simulated HDR), Black Magic Rites, The Night of the Hunted (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Rape of the Vampire (software uniformly simulated HDR), 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).

On their 4K UHD, Indicator use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original French language. Like many Rollin films, "Lips of Blood" doesn't have extensive audio effects - gunfire and a few infrequent blood-curling screams are about it. The sound is exported in an authentically flat manner. Dialogue is consistent and audible. The score is by Philippe D'Aram (Rollin's Dracula's Fiancée, The Living Dead Girl and Two Orphan Vampires) and is quite effective  with what appears to be a subtle male choir in spots, plus instrumentals etc.. The audio is quite a step up form the lossy DVD quality. The disc offers optional, and vastly improved, English subtitles from previous digital editions - and is, like all 4K UHD, region FREE, playable worldwide.

There are plentiful extras on the 4K UHD disc - some new. There is a new commentary by Jeremy Richey (author of Sylvia Kristel: From ‘Emmanuelle’ to Chabrol.) He talks about Rollin's link to the art world, sees Fascination as a pivotal film for Rollin - arriving at one of the most difficulty periods of his career. Jeremy discusses the history and making of Fascination along with looking at Rollin's place on the outskirts of French cinema in the late 70s. He identifies the 'behind the scenes' small crew of a dozen or so trusted collaborators an comments on the performers. It is well-researched and a wonderful in-depth commentary. There is also a brief Jean Rollin introduction ‘filmed in 1998. Included is Rituals - an updated documentary on the making of Fascination by Rollin’s personal assistant, Daniel Gouyette, including interviews with key collaborators Natalie Perrey and Brigitte Lahaie. It runs less than 8-minutes. The Music of ‘Fascination’ is a new presentation of an interview with composer Philippe D’Aram running shy of 20-minutes, where he reveals his inspirations and collaboration with Rollin. It is in French with optional English subtitles. We get another revealing critical appreciation by the film historian Virginie Sélavy (author of The End: An Electric Sheep Anthology) for about 7-minutes, plus two extended sex scenes (alternative sequences not in the film running about 8-minutes each. Lastly is an original theatrical trailer, Indicator's usual image gallery of promotional, publicity material, and behind the scenes material and included is Virgins and Vampires - a 1999 English documentary on Rollin, produced and directed by Andy Starke and Pete Tombs, featuring contributions from actors Monica Swinn and Brigitte Lahaie, Nigel Wingrove of Redemption Films, and Rollin. It runs 25-minutes. The package contains a limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Vanessa Morgan, an archival introduction by Jean Rollin, a previously un-translated archival interview with Rollin, an archival interview with actor Fanny Magier, critic Daniel Bird on the film’s soundtrack, and full film credits.    

Indicator's 4K UHD release of Jean Rollin's "Fascination" showcases the film in a wonderful new 4K transfer and is stacked with extras including commentary, interviews, documentary, appreciation and booklet. Like all of their products , Indicator has gone to great lengths to produce the most complete digital package of Rollin's French erotic horror. In "Fascination" we have a gold thief on-the-run finding a remote château where he finds two mysterious aristocrat, and lesbian-bisexual, women (gorgeous Franca Maï and Brigitte Lahaie) - who are eventually visited by a coven of bra-less female blood-ingesting cannibals (a cure for anemia?) Jealousy surfaces, brazen seduction, sex, suicide considerations, vengeance, and a brutally wielded scythe. It retains Rollin's acquired taste of a dream-like fantasy and is definitely worth the indulgence - improving upon repeat viewings. Absolutely recommended!   

Gary Tooze