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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray / 4K UHD (May 2025): Indicator have transferred Jean Rollin's The Iron Rose to Blu-ray and 4K UHD. It is cited as being "Restored in 4K from the original negative" and "The 4K UHD has a 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible.)" 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 comment on the whole package. Both formats offer two presentations of the film - seamlessly-branched: Jean Rollin’s original French-language version, La rose de fer; and the alternative English-language presentation, The Crystal Rose. A screen informs us: "La Rose de fer was originally distributed in English-speaking territories as The Crystal Rose. While the film is otherwise identical in terms of its content, it's interesting to note that, in addition to Hugues Quester's name being replaced with 'Pierre Dupont', the original English-language titles erroneously credit Sam Selsky as director and Jean Rollin as producer. It's unclear whether this was done intentionally or if it was a mistake, but the latter is most likely the case." It is apparent that the title/credits are the only difference in the two versions so the image quality is duplicated. Overall, I was pleased with the 1080P and 2160P resolutions with rich, deep colors and film-like textures. Shot on a minimal budget with a small cast and crew, the film’s raw, dreamlike quality reflects Rollin’s signature approach: prioritizing atmosphere and imagery over conventional storytelling. The Iron Rose is a visually arresting film that epitomizes Jean Rollin’s signature blend of gothic romanticism, surrealism, and poetic minimalism. The colors show a dominance of reds, browns, and green foliage. The cemetery’s moss-covered stones, rusted iron crosses, and wilted grass create a palette that feels drained of vitality, evoking death and decay. Even the couple’s clothing - her pale mustard dress and his dark, royal red, muted jacket - blend into this somber scheme. The 4K resolution ensures both versions look pristine, with no expected compression artifacts, damage or speckles, assuring Powerhouse’s usual quality standards. Compared to earlier releases (e.g., Redemption Films’ DVDs or Blu-ray - compared HERE and below,) this restoration offers a significant leap in sharpness, color balance, and texture, making it the definitive digital presentation of The Iron Rose. Like Girls Without Shame, the 4K UHD is ideal for fans of Rollin’s deft style, textures and richer contrast, while the Blu-ray, sourced from the same restoration, remains a strong option for those without 4K setups.

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray and 4K UHD, Indicator uses linear PCM 1.0 channel mono tracks offered in both original French or an English language DUB. The original mono audio presentation preserves the minimalist yet evocative soundscape of The Iron Rose. Pierre Raph’s (Rollin's The Demoniacs, The Iron Rose, Requiem for a Vampire,) avant-garde score - featuring eerie drones, dissonant strings, and subtle percussion - sounds crisp and clear, with the restoration removing hiss or distortion from earlier releases. The score’s ritualistic quality, used to underscore the woman’s mystical transformation, benefits from clean audio, ensuring its hypnotic effect is intact. Ambient sounds, such as the rustle of leaves, the crunch of gravel, and the howl of wind in the cemetery, are vital to the atmosphere, and the mono mix delivers these with clarity, maintaining their tactile presence. The sparse dialogue, particularly Françoise Pascal’s poetic monologues, are well-balanced in the mix, with her trance-like delivery resonating clearly. The English DUB'ing is cited for its poor quality with stilted delivery, awkward phrasing, and noticeable lip-sync issues. Less-discerning fans will acquiesce to this for accessibility. The film’s sound was recorded monaurally, and the transfer exports this flat and authentically, but I found it added to the atmosphere. Indicator offer optional English or English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray and 4K UHD editions.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers a new commentary by 'King' Tim Lucas (Throat Sprockets,) thoroughly enjoyable genre expert, who delivers a detailed analysis, covering the film’s production challenges, thematic depth (e.g., eros and thanatos, surrealism), and influences like gothic literature and French Romanticism. Lucas’s insights are typically rich with historical context, making this a highlight for cinephiles. Exceptional work again, Tim. In a brief introduction, from the 2012 Redemption editions, Jean Rollin introduces ‘The Iron Rose’ offering personal perspective. Included is a 3.5-minute archival interview with Rollin - recorded two years before his death - this short interview focuses on The Iron Rose. Rollin discusses its departure from his vampire films, the challenges of shooting in a real cemetery, and its poetic tone. It’s a precious archival piece, despite its brevity. Les Nuits du cimetière is a new (2024) 1/4 hour documentary by Daniel Gouyette, Rollin’s personal assistant, featuring interviews with collaborators like Jean-Noël Delamarre, Natalie Perrey, and Alain Petit. It covers shooting in Amiens, Rollin’s directorial approach, and the cast’s experiences, offering a behind-the-scenes perspective on a film often shrouded in mystique. There are archival interviews with Françoise Pascal exploring her experience playing the enigmatic woman. There is a 2018 interview tied to the signing session at the Metaluna Store in Paris on April 7th, that captures Pascal alongside Rollin collaborators Jean-Pierre Bouyxou, Jean-Noël Delamarre, and Serge Rollin, filmed by Christian Valor of Psychovision. At just over two minutes, it’s a brief but poignant snapshot, reflecting on the film’s legacy and her memories of Rollin in response to fan questions. The event’s communal atmosphere adds a celebratory tone, offering a glimpse into the Rollin fanbase’s passion. There is a new (2025) 22-minute interview with Françoise Pascal that provides a fresh perspective from her, revisiting her earlier reflections with added hindsight. She discusses the film’s enduring appeal, her thoughts on the restoration, or how her perception of the role has evolved, complementing the archival interviews. Enjoyable; Stephen Thrower (NIGHTMARE USA: The Untold Story of the Exploitation Independents) delivers a half-hour analysis, exploring the film’s themes, its place in Rollin’s oeuvre, and its stylistic influences. Thrower’s appreciations are typically academic yet accessible, making this a valuable feature for understanding the film’s significance. An excellent inclusion is The Yellow Loves (Les Amours jaunes, 1958, 10:38): This restored early short by Rollin, adapting Tristan Corbière’s poetry, showcases his formative style - poetic and melancholic. The optional Tim Lucas commentary provides context on Rollin’s early career and Corbière’s influence, enhancing its historical value. Pure Gold. The restoration ensures this rare piece looks its best. There are also original theatrical trailers (two each in both French and English) and multiple image galleries featuring promotional materials, publicity stills, and behind-the-scenes photos, the gallery is a treat for collector with shots of Rollin directing, Pascal and Quester on set, and original posters. Extensive is the limited edition 80-page booklet that includes; a new essay by Nick Pinkerton (Goodbye, Dragon Inn: 1 - Decadent Editions,) offering a contemporary critical perspective, an archival introduction by Rollin, a reprint of Rollin’s 1972 scenario, The Night of the Cemetery, an archival interview with Françoise Pascal, Rollin’s thoughts on The Yellow Loves, an introduction to Corbière’s poetry, providing literary context plus full film credits. The new content (Lucas’s commentary, Thrower’s appreciation, Pascal’s 2025 interview) alongside archival material (Rollin’s interviews, Pascal’s talks, including the 2018 Metaluna Store event) ensures a well-rounded package. The restored short film and book add significant value. Wow.

Jean Rollin's The Iron Rose is  often regarded as one of the director’s most enigmatic and artistically significant works. Unlike Rollin’s more overtly supernatural works, The Iron Rose eschews vampires and explicit horror tropes, instead crafting a surreal, psychological tale that blends gothic horror, romantic tragedy, and existential meditation. Released in 1973, the film was made during a period when Rollin was experimenting with his style, moving away from the commercial demands of his earlier erotic-horror films toward more personal, abstract projects. Set almost entirely in a sprawling, decaying cemetery in Amiens, with brief scenes on a desolate beach, The Iron Rose's atmosphere explores themes of love, mortality, madness, and the seductive pull of death. Its minimal dialogue, hypnotic pacing, and reliance on visual and auditory mood make it a quintessential example of European art-house horror. The Indicator 4K UHD and Blu-ray release of The Iron Rose is a stellar package, the definitive home media presentation of Rollin’s gothic masterpiece. The 4K restoration promises stunning visuals, bringing the Amiens cemetery’s textures and the film’s muted palette to life with clarity and depth. The special features are a highlight, offering a wealth of content - from Tim Lucas’s insightful commentary to Françoise Pascal’s reflections, including the 2018 Metaluna Store event interview, which captures the Rollin community’s spirit. The restored short film and 80-page book add significant value. We've covered all the Jean Rollin titles that Indicator has brought to 4K UHD so far: Requiem for a Vampire, The Night of the Hunted, Girls Without Shame, Two Orphan Vampires, The Rape of the Vampire, The Demoniacs, Lips of Blood, The Nude Vampire, Fascination, The Shiver of the Vampires, and The Iron Rose - they are of the same exceptional quality. Rollin fans hardly require my endorsement... regardless, you enthusiastically have it. Absolutely recommended.

Gary Tooze