ADDITION: Indicator 4K UHD (April 2024): Indicator are releasing Jean Rollin's "The Demoniacs" (Les démoniaques) to 4K UHD. There are three presentations of the film. Two are seamlessly-branched: the original theatrical version and the longer, explicit export version. Plus (stand alone - not seamlessly branched) Curse of the Living Dead, the alternative English-language cut. They are cited as being from a "Brand-new 4K HDR restoration from the original negative by Powerhouse Films. 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)". We compared two DVDs to the Redemption Blu-ray (original theatrical cut) HERE - and to 4K UHD captures below. As far as the director's oeuvre this might be considered one of the least attractive films - in terms of prints and visual quality. However the colors exported via the 2160P and HDR produce far more vibrant, rich primaries (red costuming, make-up and green foliage) than anything we have seen previously on digital. There is still softness buoyed a little by the heavy textures. Hopefully the captures below will give you an idea of the impressive upgrade.

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

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages recently: The Nude Vampire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Nostalghia (no HDR), Werckmeister Harmonies (software uniformly simulated HDR), Goin' South (software uniformly simulated HDR), La Haine (software uniformly simulated HDR,) All Ladies Do It (software uniformly simulated HDR), Old Henry  (software uniformly simulated HDR), To Die For (software uniformly simulated HDR), Snapshot (software uniformly simulated HDR), Phase IV (software uniformly simulated HDR), Burial Ground (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dark Water (software uniformly simulated HDR), Fear and Desire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf (no HDR), Paths of Glory (software uniformly simulated HDR), Southern Comfort (software uniformly simulated HDR), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (software uniformly simulated HDR,) The Wages of Fear  (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Roaring Twenties (software uniformly simulated HDR), Universal Classic Monsters Limited Edition Collection (software uniformly simulated HDR), Scarlet Street (software uniformly simulated HDR), eXistenZ (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (software uniformly simulated HDR), Conan the Barbarian (software uniformly simulated HDR),  Django (no HDR), Lone Star  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Suspect Zero (software uniformly simulated HDR), Count Dracula (software uniformly simulated HDR), Full Circle - The Haunting of Julia (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Warriors  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (software uniformly simulated HDR), Blackhat (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mark of the Devil (software uniformly simulated HDR), Barbarella (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Picture Show (software uniformly simulated HDR).

On their 4K UHD, Indicator offer the option of linear PCM mono tracks (24-bit) in the original French language or an optional English DUB. NOTE: There is no French option on the Curse of the Living Dead version and the LPMC is only 16-bit. "The Demoniacs" has modes effects although there is a raging fire or burning wrecked hulls on the beach. There is violence and assaults with loud screaming. The score augmenting atmosphere is by Pierre Raph (Rollin's Schoolgirl Hitchhikers, The Iron Rose, Requiem for a Vampire) with a dour main theme and the film's music is not without its unique oddities. Indicator include optional English subtitles - and this is, like all 4K UHD discs region FREE, playable worldwide.

Indicator have already upgraded Rollin's The Rape of the Vampire, The Shiver of the Vampires, Lips of Blood, The Night of the Hunted, Fascination and The Two Orphan Vampires to 4K UHD with The Nude Vampire simultaneously released in this format with "The Demoniacs". Each are premium examples of the superiority of this 2160P home theatre format that certainly elevate the viewing experience. Notable from Jean Rollin's "The Demoniacs" is former model Joëlle Coeur (Joëlle Cœur.) She appeared in many magazines in France and the Netherlands. She is remarkable for her beauty and daring film content - ex. in the conclusion of "The Demoniacs" her shameless character, Tina, has a lengthy masturbation session on the beach while watching the twin gals being sexually assaulted - both tied to a wreck. Tina's perversity, sexual spontaneity, teasing, viciousness and hypnotic sensuality take a dominant place in "The Demoniacs". The actress distanced herself from her softcore film work and beyond 1979 worked as a psychotherapist. Her sexuality should not deflect from the unnamed titular twin characters - virgins wandering out of the sea - played by Lieva Lone and Patricia Hermenier. Both their only significant film work. Generally the male performers in the film are much weaker. "The Demoniacs" has the director's frequent sexcapade symbolism, twin-sister fetishism, less fan-favorite gothic atmosphere, and another pivotal, supernatural, evil male (vampiric) manipulator. Indicator's 4K UHD release package is at their top-shelf standard - heads and tails above any other home theatre transfer, commentary and extras offering three distinct version of the film. This may be one for Rollin completists. To that group - please enjoy.

Gary Tooze