(Paul Naschy aka Jacinto Molina, 1980/ 1973)
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H D - S E N S E IA view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze |
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Night of the Werewolf / Vengeance of the Zombies [Blu-ray DVD](Paul Naschy aka Jacinto Molina, 1980/ 1973)
Production: Bci / Eclipse Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:32:18.199 Disc Size: 13,808,181,316 bytes Feature Size: 11,822,217,216 bytes Video Bitrate: 14.98 Mbps Chapters: 16 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: January 8th, 2008
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 Resolution: 1080i / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 384 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 384 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 384 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 384 kbps / DN -4dB
Subtitles: English, none
Extras: • Intros, Trailers, Deleted Scenes, Stills Galleries Product Description: Night of the Werewolf (Spanish title: El Retorno Del Hombre Lobo - U.S. title: The Craving) Filmed in the real castles of Spain, Night of the Werewolf is one of Naschy's most impressive films, a sumptuous Gothic feast that pits Naschy's werewolf, Waldemar Daninsky, against the Blood Countess herself, Elizabeth Bathory. Filled with werewolf transformations, seductive vampire women, bloody stakes and piercing silver daggers, the film has garnered praise for its fantastical inventiveness and use of macabre imagery.
The Films:
The Video: NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. These are two single-layered Blu-ray discs - each with one film and its extras.
Along with Sister Street Fighter I + II, we decided to give the BCI/Eclipse Blu-ray effort of Night of the Werewolf / Vengeance of the Zombies a spin. Compared to Sister Street Fighter I + II - it is a notch less in regards to image quality. Since Eric Cotenas has also compared two SD versions of Night of the Werewolf HERE for DVDBeaver (thanks Eric!) you can hopefully see in our screen captures below that the 1080 resolution is marginally superior. Unfortunately both transfers are interlaced (1080i) with small file sizes / bitrates. There is digital noise, especially in darker scenes. The image is soft and a little waxy but, without knowing the original theatrical appearance it makes it hard to comment but this is quite limited and doesn't rise to the level that the Blu-ray format is capable.
Vengeance of the Zombies looks better. It is displayed at the original aspect ratio of 1.33 matted to 1.78. It is very brighter, clean and detailed with superior colors and minor digital noise. The bitrate is higher but this again is reasonably ineffectual - probably only a small notch better than SD-DVD. Gary Tooze
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
The Night of the Werewolf
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Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:28:54.612 Disc Size: 15,154,548,048 bytes Feature Size: 13,458,352,128 bytes Video Bitrate: 17.96 Mbps Chapters: 16 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: January 8th, 2008
Video: Aspect ratio: 1:33 matted to 1.78:1 Resolution: 1080i / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 384 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 384 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 384 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 384 kbps / DN -4dB
Subtitles: English, none
Extras: • Intros, Trailers, Deleted Scenes, Stills Galleries
Vengeance of the Zombies (Spanish title: La Rebelion de las Muertas) Vengeance of the Zombies offers a triple threat performance by Naschy as a Hindu mystic, his evil brother and the Devil himself. Zombies, satanic voodoo rituals and gruesome killings combine to make Vengeance of the Zombies a bizarre ride in the best horror tradition, a film that defines the term "euro-cult" as few other films can. Reportedly, practitioners of the black arts have found hidden meanings in the film that transcend the picture's story-telling plotting, making the impact of Vengeance of the Zombies that much more intense--and frightful.
Screen Captures Vengeance of the Zombies
Audio: Both discs offer the same audio options - neither lossless; a Castilian Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1,and two English DUBs: a DD 5.1 and an English mono mix. I didn't even test the DUBs and the main track (an obvious bump) sounded acceptable with some minor drifting dialogue but certainly effective enough for viewing the films - although lacking any remarkable range or depth. Both are supported by acceptable, if not stellar, English subtitles in a reasonably but smallish font (see samples above). I should note that book-style Menus are very cool but are not available on the fly (no 'Pop-up" menu) as they are with most every other Blu-ray discs - but once you make an option you can 'resume film'.
Extras: Menus
BOTTOM LINE: Those with higher expectations are obviously disappointed in the transfers. This was reasonably early in the commercial Blu-ray-transfer days and BCI/Eclipse were taking a shot with what they had. Fans of Night of the Werewolf might consider this upgrade - or for those invested in Blu-ray that are keen to venture into the genre. I understand Vengeance of the Zombies SD is fairly strong already and the film is a Euro-DUD but still campy in my opinion. Purchasers should be prepared that these look fairly unremarkable. It would be a definite asset if you were keen on the genre/style before indulging. This is the probably the best presentation of both films although certainly not recommended for more than $20.Gary Tooze
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