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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

H D - S E N S E I

A view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze

The Vampire Lovers [Blu-ray]

 

(Roy Ward Baker, 1970)

 

  

Coming to Blu-ray from Shout! Factory in December 2021:

 

Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: MGM

Video: Shout! Factory

 

Disc:

Region: 'A' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:31:21.809

Disc Size: 32,936,062,455 bytes

Feature Size: 23,401,310,208 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.92 Mbps

Chapters: 12

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: April 30th, 2013

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2083 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2083 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 320 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 320 kbps

 

Subtitles:

English (SDH), none

 

Extras:

• Commentary with director Roy Ward Baker, star Ingrid Pitt and writer Tudor Gates

Feminine Fantastique: Resurrecting The Vampire Lovers (9:42)

• Reading of 'Carmilla' by Ingrid Pitt (12:05)

• Madeline Smith - Vampire Lovers (20:35)

• Theatrical Trailer (2:18)

Radio Spot (:51)

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: A female vampire with lesbian tendencies ravages the young girls and townsfolk of a peaceful hamlet in eighteenth century Europe who, years earlier, killed off her fellow vampires. A rousing hunt for the vampires ensues as a group of men follow her bloody trail of terror through the countryside. Adapted from J. Sheridan Le Fanu's novella "Carmilla," The Vampire Lovers stars Ingrid Pitt, George Cole and Peter Cushing.

Now this ’rather erotic Hammer chiller’ (Leonard Maltin) appears on Bluray for the first time… If you dare, come into a twilight world of unspeakable horror and taste the deadly passion of the blood-nymphs!

 

 

The Film:

This sexy horror story from Britain's Hammer Films finds Ingrid Pitt playing three roles, the most notable being a lesbian vampire who will resort to biting a man only when it is absolutely necessary. A doctor and a manservant are victims, but only after she has exhausted all attempts to sink her fangs into the bosoms of young women. The General (Peter Cushing) finds his daughter Laura (Pippa Steel) is victimized by the bite of the vampiress. With the help of Baron Hartog (Douglas Wilmer), they try to end the horror brought by the blood-sucking beauty. Blood, gore and a few decapitations are depicted before the wooden stakes and crosses are brought out.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

The film which made Ingrid Pitt a major horror movie cult figure (she plays a voracious lesbian vampire). Based on Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, it is well mounted and enjoyable, with solid performances: the pre-credits sequence, in particular, has a dreamy beauty. But some of the action is a bit flat; and overall it marks the point at which vampirism in British movies became so overtly erotic that the films virtually ceased to be about anything except sex. Later examples of the strain were to become terribly monotonous.

Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE

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

The Vampire Lovers comes on Blu-ray in Region 'A' from Shout! Factory.  There are many positives to the transfer but it colors are not intense (spattered blood looks a bit dull.) Contrast is a shade faded but detail is the close-ups is impressive.  This is dual-layered with a high bitrate. There is no damage or heavy speckles. This Blu-ray is in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and gave me a decent presentation - perhaps slightly below expectation in terms of visuals but the 1080P is easily well-above SD definition.

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

The audio is transferred in a competent DTS-HD Master stereo track at 2083 kbps. It has some depth in the intensity of the screams and the moody score by Harry Robinson (Twins of Evil). Dialogue may have a few sync anomalies - but they are barely notable. There are optional English subtitles. My Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.

 

 

Extras :

With get a commentary - from the past, hosted by Jonathan Sothcott, with director Roy Ward Baker, star Ingrid Pitt and writer Tudor Gates. Feminine Fantastique: Resurrecting The Vampire Lovers is a 10-minute featurette detailing some of the production history, we get a dozen minutes of Ingrid Pitt reading Sheridan Le Fanu's 'Carmilla' and a 20-minute interview with Madeline Smith (Emma Smith in the film). There is also a theatrical trailer and Radio Spot included.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Cushing, breasts, vampires... How can you not love Hammer Studios? This is sexy horror with busty female vampires showing cleavage at every bite. It's a solid entry in this genre and the Blu-ray gives good value. We may compare to the Region 'B' Blu-ray one day - but as for now - this is a recommendation! 

Gary Tooze

April 23rd, 2013

  

Coming to Blu-ray from Shout! Factory in December 2021:

 

 

About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 5000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.

Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction.

Gary's Home Theatre:

60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD

Oppo Digital BDP-83 Universal Region FREE Blu-ray/SACD Player
Momitsu - BDP-899 Region FREE Blu-ray player
Marantz SA8001 Super Audio CD Player
Marantz SR7002 THX Select2 Surround Receiver
Tannoy DC6-T (fronts) + Energy (centre, rear, subwoofer) speakers (5.1)

APC AV 1.5 kVA H Type Power Conditioner 120V

Gary W. Tooze

 

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