NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray / 4K UHD (April 2023): Indicator are releasing Jean Rollin's Two Orphan Vampires (Les deux orphelines vampires) to Blu-ray and 4K UHD. It is cited as being from a "New 4K restoration from the original negative by Powerhouse Films" and "The 4K UHD has a 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible.)" and the latter does not include the Blu-ray which is sold separately. We can't obtain 4K UHD captures yet but can get 1080P ones (Blu-ray) and can comment on the whole package. This is being released on the same date, by Indicator as Jean Rollin's The Shiver of the Vampires reviewed HERE on both Blu-ray and 4K UHD, like Two Orphan Vampires in the US and the UK.

NOTE: There was a Redemption (Kino) Blu-ray of Two Orphan Vampires from 2012, HERE, that I don't own to compare.

I can't find evidence but suspect this was shot on 16mm as the image is so heavy with luscious grain. (Michael Brooke says it was shot on 16mm.) I thought it looked very strong but dense with grain - and the 4K UHD shows that to a stronger degree. There are some blue tints representing the lighting as that is how the orphans reference:

Henriette: Our day for us is blue.
Louise: The light for us is black...

Overall I was pleased with the 1080P and 2160P resolutions with authentic, unembellished colors that carry depth. The film is quite dark which I presume to be an accurate representation. 

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, and 4K UHD, Indicator use linear PCM 1.0 channel mono tracks offered in both original French and English languages. Two Orphan Vampires has few overt aggressive sequences - much of the violence is simulated (although blood is visible) - that come through with modest depth. The score by Philippe D'Aram (Rollin's The Living Dead Girl and Fascination) and is, like the film, a unique expression, sounding clean with consistent dialogue in the uncompressed transfer. Both 4K UHD and Blu-ray are region FREE and offer English and English (SDH) subtitle options.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers a new audio commentary with critics and authors David Flint (The Reprobate Podcast) and Adrian J. Smith (Movies and Mania) They discuss that this is not the last of Rollin's vampire films if 2002 La fiancée de Dracula is included. They think it is the only one of his vampire films that weren't considered compromised by commercial considerations - perhaps the most pure of his films since La Rose de Fer (The Iron Rose). They talk about the careers of Alexandra Pic and Isabelle Teboul after Two Orphan Vampires, Rollin reinventing vampire lore, references to Rollin's 1989 film Lost in New York and scenes in Two Orphan Vampires that were shot in New York. There are observations on the less-discernable fantasy, or dream sequence, elements of the film. I thought it was a good commentary worth indulging in. Memories of a Blue World runs 43-minutes and is a 2023 updated documentary on the making of Two Orphan Vampires by Rollin’s personal assistant, Daniel Gouyette, featuring interviews with actor Isabelle Teboul, assistant director Jean-Noël Delamarre, composer Philippe D’Aram, and others. Jean Rollin on ‘Two Orphan Vampires’ is an extensive, newly edited archival interview from 2002 with the filmmaker exploring the themes of Two Orphan Vampires and his wider oeuvre for over 35-minutes. There are 2002 interviews with Alexandra Pic and Isabelle Teboul with newly edited archival comments. They run roughly a dozen minutes each. The Smoking Vampires spends 4-minutes with actors Pic and Teboul revisiting the Père Lachaise Cemetery filming location in 2002. Livres de sang has Rollin gives a tour of his living room displaying the books he has written and awards he has received for about 7.5 minutes. There is an original theatrical trailer and two of Indicator's image galleries of production and publicity material, including New York location photography. The package has a limited edition (4,000 4K UHDs and 4,000 Blu-rays) exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Patricia MacCormack, archival introduction by Jean Rollin, archival production report by Peter Blumenstock, archival interview with Brigitte Lahaie, an extract from Rollin’s source novel, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits.

Jean Rollin's Two Orphan Vampires (Les deux orphelines vampires) represented somewhat of a comeback for the director working from his own source novel. We have kindly Nuns - blind, attractive, teenage orphans with a twin-like rapport - there are familiar vampire tropes, Rollin's unique macabre playfulness with time and madness working without gauge, often blurring the line of good and evil. The two sexy vampires seeking sustenance at night hints at the subtext of 'erotica' present in most Rollin's films - without expanding on it (it surprisingly has less graphic nudity than most of his earlier works.) There are things I really liked about Two Orphan Vampires and others that were head-scratching... perhaps that is the point. Rollin is such a hard director to rate as each time you see one of his films a new surprise pops up. The Indicator 4K UHD and Blu-ray are at the usual atmospheric standard - perfect a/v and stacked with supplements including interviews, commentary and extensive book. Those versed in Rollin's deliberate pacing will want this in their digital library.    

Gary Tooze