Plot: What’s it about?
The imposing, isolated mansion of Elizabeth Kane (Caroline Neron) stands out in the outskirts of Montreal, in more ways than one. The mansion itself is a sight to behold, an impressive home that rests inside of a protective gate that keeps people out. But the stories about the mansion are even more imposing than the mansion itself, stories that the gates not only keep people out, but keep people in. A lot of beautiful women have entered the mansion, but not all of them have returned. No one is sure what happens to the women, but it is known that Kane has tendencies toward the fairer sex and a bitter disposition toward men. When his wife is the latest one to vanish inside the mansion, police detective Ray Pope (Conrad Pla), he decides to take matters into his own hands and take a closer look. He soon finds himself enraptured in a dangerous game of cat & mouse with Kane, one which could cost him more than his life.
I love the legend of Elizabeth Bathory. I mean, vampires are cool, but a woman who bathes in the blood of virgins is even cooler. Eternal offers a connection to that legend, but only through bloodlines, so this is not about the old Bathory legend. I was a little disappointed by that, since I assumed it was about the period Bathory tale, but I was still well entertained. Eternal is about vampires, which is cool, but it more than that. You see, these vampires are lesbians and to me, that is a dynamic combination. As frequent readers should know, I sometimes enjoy movies that aren’t good in terms of narrative, performances, or other traditional elements. I am a horror movie fan above all else, so blood, naked women, and priceless dialogue mean a lot. I was also impressed by the lavish costumes, locations, and set design, the visuals here are gorgeous. I don’t think Eternal is a great movie, but it has style to spare and of course, lesbian vampires earn instant points with me. So I am left to recommend Eternal as a rental, but that rental is quite justified.
Video: How does it look?
Eternal is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is a superb presentation in all respects, but it all starts with the source print, which looks clean and very sharp on the whole. This means the other elements aren’t held down and it shows, as colors look bold and true, while flesh tones are natural at all times. This is a rather dark movie, but the contrast holds up very well, with sharp black levels and no visible detail loss. In the end, this is an excellent visual effort and fans should be pleased, to say the least.
Audio: How does it sound?
Not much to discuss on this end, with a basic, but effective Dolby Digital 5.1 option on deck. The audio is well presented in all respects, but the audio is more low key here, so don’t expect dynamic power. The music sounds loud and clear though, while sound effects are on the mark, just not always as immersive as I would like. No issues with dialogue either, as all vocals are clean and well balanced, as they should be. Perhaps not an off the charts audio experience, but the included track handles the material, which is what counts. This disc also includes English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes no bonus materials.
