Plot: What’s it about?
When two gorgeous bisexual female vampires stalk the English countryside in search of men to lure back to their lair, seduce them, then drink their blood, you know this is gonna be one awesome movie. These two luscious ladies seem to have a good operation going, with no shortage of victims and the red stuff. I use the terms “victims” in jest, since I think most men would line up to take part in these blood laced orgies with two breathtaking ladies like these. The formula has worked well for the blood nymphs up to this point, but the next trip for fresh blood turns out to be more than they expected. A young, innocent couple wanders into the savage lair of these buxom vampires, which triggers the most passionate and lustful experience any of the participants has ever been involved in. But as with every encounter the two vamps have, their goal is not only sexual satisfaction, but also the sweet nectar which gives them life, blood. While no one will forget the lurid and amazing happenings, will the participants be able to reproduce the efforts in the future?
This is the second release for this movie, as Anchor Bay issued a solid disc a ways back. But they released a version that had some cuts made, which is a problem Blue Underground has now solved. I have to admit, this is a film driven by sex and violence, and I love every second of it. If a movie is going to use sex and violence, then by all means, do it right, and this film does it perfectly. There is flesh around every corner and plenty of blood soaked scenes as well, with many scenes using both aspects for an incredible blend. I have to agree with the packaging, the two female leads are the sexiest vampires to appear on the silver screen, and this is without a doubt, the most sexually charged and effective vampire movie of all time, at least in my opinion. If you’re offended by nudity, sexual natured scenes, or blood, keep away, but if you like the above elements, this movie is sure to please your tastes. I am thrilled to see this movie revisited and finally released in true uncut splendor, so be sure to check out Vampyres.
The director of this classic, Joseph Larraz, is a master of the erotic horror genre, and has several other genre staples under his belt, such as Madame Olga’s Pupils, Black Candles, and The Violation of the Bitch, among many others. While Larraz’ choice in film may not suit everyone, those who follow the genre know he is a master of the style, and his movies are a treat for the eyes. The task of playing the most attractive and alluring female vampires ever to grace the cinema’s screen isn’t easy, but the actresses who claim that title do the job quite well. Marianne Morris (It’s Not The Size That Counts) and Playboy centerfold Anulka Dziubinska (The Likely Lads) not only bring their bodies, which would have been enough, they also show some style and grace here, which places them as the sexiest vampires to ever walk the Hollywood screens. It’s a shame they didn’t make more movies of this genre, but we always have this one, so take solace in that. The supporting cast in this movie includes Murray Brown (Fiona), Sally Faulkner (Deadly Females, Bird of Prey), Michael Byrne (Tomorrow Never Dies, Battlefield Earth), and Brian Deacon (Triple Echo).
Video: How does it look?
Vampyres is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. As I sat down with the original release of this movie, I was so pleased to have it on DVD that I overlooked some of the flaws in the visual presentation. After all, previous editions had been miserable in most cases and this one was crisp and clean, so I was taken by the moment. I have now seen this new version and it looks excellent, an improvement even over the prior release. I scored the previous transfer with a higher number, but rest assured, this is a superior treatment. The print is almost pristine, with few flecks and no signs of grain at all, which is a feat in itself. The colors follow a more natural scope, so while the colors may appear muted, this is intentional and not a flaw in the visual transfer. The flesh tones are natural and distortion free, which is good since the movie shows plenty of it. Some scenes display contrast which is a little too dark, but the degree is minor, and detail is not lost. If only all cult classics were handled like this…
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio is presented via the original mono track, which provides a surprisingly good audio experience. As expected, time has taken some toll on the materials, but nothing too serious. I heard some minor hiss in a few places, but on the whole, the materials are in superb condition. While the audio is not as powerful as a full surround track, it does offer well defined elements and an above average mono track. And in the end, this kind of material doesn’t call for much in terms of dynamic presence, so no worries. The dialogue is crisp and clear, with no volume issues and the mono trademark hiss is also not present. I found this to be an above average presentation, so fans should be more than satisfied.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes all of the supplements from the previous release, as well as some very cool new extras. The old stuff first though, so we have a solid commentary track from director Jose Ramon Larraz and producer Brian Smedley-Aston, a talent file on Larraz, and two of the film’s theatrical trailers. Blue Underground has created some welcome new stuff too, starting with Return of the Vampyres, a collection of new interviews with stars Marianne Morris and Anulka. I think it so cool to listen to these two discuss the production and while a commentary would have been great, these interviews are still excellent. You can also browse a gallery of Anulka photos, peruse a selection of poster artwork & additional stills, and watch a deleted scene, all well chosen inclusions, to be sure. If you have DVD-ROM access, you can look through all kinds of added materials, as part of the Vampyres: A Tribute to the Ultimate in Erotic Horror Cinema feature. This piece combines text and photos, to offer a comprehensive look at Vampyres.
