79 I vampiri

[Finch]

A mad scientist captures young women in Paris and drains them of their blood in service of an evil Duchess. Also known as Lust of the Vampire, Riccardo Freda’s I vampiri mixes the Bathory and Frankenstein stories to create its gothic tale, Italy’s first horror film. Made as a challenge by Freda at breakneck speed, cinematographer Mario Bava would complete direction and post-production of the film, adding his signature in the process. With its baroque imagery and stunning visuals, I vampiri forged the path for Italian horror and remains a landmark of Italian cinema history.

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

2K restoration of the film presented with Italian and English audio
Audio commentary by Tim Lucas (2023)
Thirst of Blood - a featurette on the making of the film with Fabio Melelli, Mario Bava and Dario Michaelis
Interview with Lamberto Bava
Interview with Leon Hunt, author of Mario Bava: The Artisan as Italian Horror Auteur (2024)
Trailers
Reversible sleeve featuring artwork based on original posters
Booklet featuring new writing by Roberto Curti, author of Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969
Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

[What A Disgrace]

I would have preferred The Ghost, but its nice to see this film treated as its own entity and not just as a special feature to Black Sunday.

[TechnicolorAcid]

Watch Vinegar Syndrome shadow ban this like they did with Radiance’s other Riccardo Freda title. But anyways I’m excited to check this out as it’s always nice to find another Bava related title.

[Tuppence]

Specs updated, and these are the two major additions:

- Alternate presentation of the UK Lust of the Vampire cut, newly transferred for this release from archival materials courtesy of the BFI National Archive (1959, 66 mins)

- Alternate SD presentation of the US The Devil’s Commandment cut (1960, 72 mins)

[Orlac]

Specs updated, and these are the two major additions:

- Alternate presentation of the UK Lust of the Vampire cut, newly transferred for this release from archival materials courtesy of the BFI National Archive (1959, 66 mins)

- Alternate SD presentation of the US The Devil’s Commandment cut (1960, 72 mins)

Sweet!

[CSM126]

I vambeaveri

[TechnicolorAcid]

I vambeaveri

Not to be confused with I Robeaver

[Orlac]

Specs updated, and these are the two major additions:

- Alternate presentation of the UK Lust of the Vampire cut, newly transferred for this release from archival materials courtesy of the BFI National Archive (1959, 66 mins)

- Alternate SD presentation of the US The Devil’s Commandment cut (1960, 72 mins)

Interestingly, the UK cut credits Al Lewis, but his additional US scene is missing from that version.