I just received Encore's 2 disc edition of VIOL DU VAMPIRE. I haven't compared it thoroughly with the Redemption DVD yet but I've noticed that in the first few minutes that Redemption/Image's is 1.62:1 non-anamorphic while Encore's is 1.78:1 anamorphic without seeming to lose any vertical or horizontal information. I'm pretty sure 1.66:1 is the OAR so Encore has stretched the image (at least for this opening sequence, I'll have to look at the rest to see if this formatting remains). The stretching does not ruin the look (once again, I've only watched the opening).

Redemption/Image ( l ) Encore ( r )


I don't want to discourage anyone from buying the set as it has a feature length commentary from Rollin, interviews, censored scenes, a featurette on Rollin's latest film and another engrossing booklet reproduction of Rollin's reminiscences about the shoot.

Hmm. I was wondering how Encore's been going from 1.66 to 1.78. Are you going to be comparing any of their other releases to Redemption's to see if this is standard operating procedure?

I was thinking of comparing the LEVRES DE SANG discs but I've read that the 16:9 version is cropped but now I'll have to check.

Still, is anamorphic 1.66:1 such an alien concept? MGM doesn't seem to do it (which is a shame for PASSION OF ANNA, WOMEN IN LOVE, WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT?, and any Truffaut title they've got world rights too).

On the other hand, Criterion, Anchor Bay, and MK2 do and their transfers are usually definitive.

Nope, not alien at all. Matter of fact, MGM's the only major or quality-minded minor that doesn't.

. . . actually, the recent MGM/20TH CENTURY FOX release of Jules Dassin's 10:30 PM SUMMER (1966) is listed as having an anamorphic 1.66:1 transfer - this is one of the DVDs put out by 20TH CENTURY FOX under their new deal with MGM; perhaps it is a sign of better things to come . . . but I must add the actual transfer seems a bit tight and might be closer to an anamorphic 1.85:1

Did MGM ever respond to any criticisms about their lack of anamorphic enhancement of 1.66:1 films? HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES was another one that would've been nice in 16:9.

There is a sliver more information on the sides in the Encore version and for the most part the stretching of the 1.66:1 image to 1.78:1 is not that noticeable (especially in wider shots) though some faces look squat in close-up (particularly Jaqueline Sieger as the Queen of the Vampires who far, far, far outclasses that QUEEN OF THE DAMNED).

The feature length commentary is subtitled and their are interviews with Jaqueline Sieger, "dialogues" collaborator Alain Yves Boujour, and composer (of the second part) Francois Tusques. The censored scenes do not seem that much more or less explicit than anything in the film itself.

Curiously, part 2's credits list among the cast Olivier Martin (protagonist of LE VAMPIRE NUE) who I couldn't pick out but do not credit Jean-Loup Philippe (co-writer and star of LEVRES DE SANG) although he has a sizable role in part 2.

I'm finishing up a DVDBeaver comparison and I'll post the link when its up so you can judge for yourself if the aspect ratio issue is a deal breaker.

EDIT: If you have a widescreen TV that can rescale the image or if you use VLC Media Player or MediaPlayerClassic to watch movies either on your computer or with your computer connected to your television, then you can readjust the aspect ratio (VLC has crop and aspect ratio settings. I used the 16:10 aspect ratio setting to squeeze the image to 1.60:1).

Rented 10:30 PM SUMMER and it is indeed a beautiful anamorphic 1.66:1 transfer.

Here's my review with more screencaps.

Has anyone picked up the Redemption NUDE VAMPIRE? According to Xploited Cinema's specs, its non-anamorphic and has English audio only. Given their release of THE IRON ROSE, its probably a PAL-NTSC conversion.

The UK disc included both French with English subtitles and the English dub (not listed on the cover) so perhaps the French option is hidden. If not, its a disappointment.