Les Vampires (Blu-ray)
2 Disc Set, over 6 1/2 hours
RESTORED BY THE CINÉMATHÉQUE FRANÇAISE
The undisputed master of the espionage serial, Louis Feuillade (Fantômas) crafted films with labyrinthine plots and unforgettable characters that influenced multiple generations of filmmakers. Comprised of ten episodes, and clocking in at nearly seven hours in duration, LES VAMPIRES is an unqualified masterpiece. It follows journalist Philippe Guérande (Édouard Mathé) in his efforts to expose a vast criminal organization known as the Vampires. Joined by a comical sidekick, Mazamette (Marcel Lévesque), and often competing against a rival gang lord (Fernand Herrmann), Guérande dethrones a succession of the Vampires' Grand Masters. But most evasive of all is the Vampires' muse, a seductive assassin who performs her job with deadly grace: Irma Vep (Musidora).
Authorized by the Gaumont Studios, this edition was mastered in HD from the 35mm restoration produced in 1996 by the Cinémathèque Française, under the supervision of Feuillade's grandson, Jacques Champreux.
Episode 1: The Severed Head
Episode 2: The Deadly Ring
Episode 3: The Red Cryptogram
Episode 4: The Spectre
Episode 5: The Corpse’s Escape
Episode 6: The Eyes That Mesmerize
Episode 7: Satanas
Episode 8: The Lord of Thunder
Episode 9: The Poison Man
Episode 10: The Bloody Wedding
- Louis Feuillade - Director
- Louis Feuillade - Writer
- Edouard Mathé - Actor
- Marcel Lévesque - Actor
- Fernand Herrmann - Actor
- Jean Aymé - Actor
- Musidora - Actor
Reviews
As influential a silent film as there is, it's not only a grandfather to thrillers and gangster films everywhere, it stands on its own as something more than an important antique. It's one of the greatest film serials of all time, and just as fresh today as it was in late 1915 and early 1916.. - CriterionCast.com
Louis Feuillade suspenseful movie serial Les Vampires is a real treat. It's pulp fiction brought to life on a cinema screen--over six hours of colorful criminals, wooden do-gooders, and outrageous acts of malice and evil. Though some of the aesthetics are certainly out of date, the fun to be had here is in getting caught up in the sensation. The massive plot will keep you guessing from one episode to the next, and you'll want to find out what happens to the alluring Irma Vep and all the rest. Kino's restoration looks great on Blu-Ray, making for an important addition to any cinephile's movie collection. Highly Recommended. - DVD Talk
Les Vampires was cool before there was a 'cool'. It is so easy to immerse yourself in. Strong recommendation! - DVD Beaver
Highly recommended to those who own a Blu-ray Disc player and HD monitor, this is the best-looking of all home video editions of Les Vampires so far, surpassing the original DVD edition from Waterbearer Films - Silent Era
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