Although the OAR is 1.66:1, the new Encore DVD is letterboxed at anamorphic 1.78:1 yet nothing seems to be missing from the image. In fact, the Encore transfer reveals a sliver more info on the sides and is sharper thanks to the higher resolution inherent in 16:9 transfers. The image has actually been stretched slightly from 1.66:1. The effect is not damaging in long and medium shots but faces look squat in close-up (especially the bewitching Ms. Seiger as the Queen of the Vampires who far outclasses anything Anne Rice could come up with). Anamorphic 1.66:1 should not be an alien concept to any company that cares about preserving films. The lavish extras for such a marginal film (and their 6 previous Rollin releases) suggest that they do indeed care about them.

Interviews are provided with "La Reine des Vampires" Jaqueline Sieger, composer (of part 2) Francois Tusques, and co-writer Alain-Yves Boujour. The interview with Sieger was shot in Rollin's apartment and he makes an appearance. She mentions that she made most of her own costumes (inspired by some of poster artist Philippe Druillet's artwork). The feature length audio commentary is subtitled in English (some of the previous releases have had Rollin doing selected scene commentary in English). "The Story of la Nuit des Horlanges" is an interview piece on Rollin's latest film (also known as La Nuit Transfigurée).

As with the previous Encore Rollin releases, a lengthy production essay by Rollin on the making of the film, lavishly illustrated with rare behind the scenes stills, is included as a separate booklet (these alone are worth the prices of the sets).

With a sharper transfer and good extras, the only drawback is the aspect ratio but owners of the Image R1 or Redemption R2 DVDs should not consider that a deal breaker (especially if their televisions can rescale the image).

 - Eric Cotenas