Eclectic DVD presents

The Vampires Night Orgy (La Orgia Nocturna de los Vampiros) (1972)

"What's wrong now? Aren't we ever getting out of this place?"- Luis (Jack Taylor)

Stars: Jack Taylor, Dyanik Zurakowska, Charo Soriano, Helga Liné, José Guardiola
Other Stars: Manuel de Blas, David Aller, Indio Gonzalez, Luis Ciges, Fernando Bilbao, L. Villena, Sarita Gil
Director: Leon Klimovsky

Manufacturer: PDM
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (violence, vampirism, mild language, brief nudity)
Run Time: 01h:20m:11s
Release Date: 2003-09-23
Genre: horror

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
B+	B-	C-	C-	D-

 

DVD Review

Despite the somewhat lurid and sensationalistic title that this Spanish horror film goes forth under, it's really surprisingly restrained in numerous ways. There are no orgies, and the vampires don't shed a lot of blood onscreen. The trappings of claustrophic terror are here in ways that aren't terribly innovative. At the same time, it manages to be off-kilter enough that it's memorable and worth a look for the horror fan.

A group of domestic servants (not tourists, as the keepcase claims) have been hired by an agency to go to an estate in Bojoni. When the driver (L. Villena) suffers a fatal heart attack, the group takes a detour to the village of Tolnia in hopes of getting aid. At first, the town is deserted, other than another traveler, Luis (Jack Taylor), who manages to find himself in Tolnia. Although this seems odd, it is made odder still when the villagers suddenly reappear, led by Boris (José Guardiola), the mayor, and the mysterious countess (Helga Liné). The travelers are pampered, but soon find themselves being picked off one by one. And it seems that now neither the bus nor Luis' car will start....

Taylor, a frequent star in Jess Franco films, makes for a decent hero here, not being terribly virtuous except by necessity. Liné is memorable as the Countess, who hardly speaks at all, but becomes suitably feral when the bloodlust is upon her. Also notable in the cast are Dyanik Zurakoska as the governess, and the maid's little daughter Violet (Sarita Gil). Violet in particular suffers a few nasty scenes, such as hiding in the cemetery as the vampires pursue her, and being buried alive in a vain attempt to vanish from them.

Unsurprisingly for a film shot under the repressive Francisco Franco regime, there is hardly any blood visible onscreen, and much of the mayhem is merely suggested. As is usual for such films, that ends up being much more effective than blood spurting everywhere, and the isolation of the village is palpable throughout. The DVD is shorn of almost all of the nudity that was present in at least some prints (possibly only export ones), with the sole exception of Ms. Zurakowska getting a brief topless sequence. Liné's frequent nude scenes are presented here solely in clothed alternate takes or snipped altogether. However, the kinky themes (including voyeurism, cannibalism, and child sexuality) nonetheless come through loud and clear for what is often a disturbing viewing experience. This appears to be the same print, if not the same transfer, as was used for Pagan's R2 DVD a few years ago.

Rating for Style: B+
Rating for Substance: B-

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	2.35:1 - Widescreen
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Review: The nonanamorphic widescreen picture is presented in the original 2.35:1 Techniscope ratio. The transfer, however, tends to be rather blurry, soft and dupey. There is significant video artifacting, with occasional line dropouts betraying a tape source somewhere in the rendering chain. The picture tends to be murky, while the color mostly faded into oblivion. The source print does appear to be in pretty good condition, and there is very little print damage visible onscreen.

Image Transfer Grade: C-
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
Mono	English	no

Audio Transfer Review: The audio is garden variety early 1970s Eurocult, which is to say distorted, with tinny and inappropriate library music. Crackle and noise aren't overwhelming, but they're certainly present in abundance. Dialogue tends to be a bit plugged up, and at quieter moments a persistent electronic buzz is audible. At best the 2.0 mono is serviceable, and at the worst (during louder music) irritating.

Audio Transfer Grade: C- 

Disc Extras

Full Motion menu with music
Scene Access with 11 cues
Packaging: generic plastic keepcase
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extras Review: Other than acceptable though slightly light chaptering, there are no extras at all.

Extras Grade: D-
 

Final Comments

A psychologically disturbing, but fairly gore-free, Eurocult picture, with a mediocre transfer and zero extras.

Mark Zimmer 2003-09-22