Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Planet of the Vampires Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 9, 2014

Without a genre mentor to guide me during my formative moviegoing years, I stumbled on the work of director Mario Bava almost by accident. It was a viewing of “Danger: Diabolik” on “Mystery Science Theater 3000” that opened my eyes to the helmer’s work, watching the rare movie on that masterful program that dodged the riffing, revealing itself to be an inventive, charmingly loopy effort with a distinct period vibration. 1965’s “Planet of the Vampires” isn’t Bava’s best picture, but it provides another portal into an unknown world, boasting visuals that are remarkable in their originality and homegrown construction, mirroring “Danger: Diabolik” in the way it takes absolutely nothing and creates an entire world in-camera, highlighting brilliant design achievements and sheer ingenuity. While Bava possesses a filmography filled with highlights in horror, his most fertile work seems to emerge beyond the demands of terror, unleashing his imagination in full.

In the vast reaches of space, two ships are traveling through the stars on a mission into the great unknown. Receiving a distress signal from a mysterious planet, the ships elect to land and investigate. However, during this process, the atmosphere of the alien world begins to possess the crew, with Captain Markary (Barry Sullivan) working to snap them out of their murderous fog. While assessing ship damage and surveying the planet, Markary discovers the crew of the second ship is completely dead, forced to bury their bodies on this strange planet. However, it soon becomes clear that bodies do not stay buried here for long, with Markary, Sanya (Norma Bengell), and Wess (Angel Aranda) forced to figure out a way to lift off the planet when evil arrives to claim them.

The common observation concerning “Planet of the Vampires” is its similarities to Ridley Scott’s “Alien.” Watching Bava’s picture with that comparison in mind is startling, and while the features diverge in storytelling, it’s clear many of the ideas presented in the 1965 effort influenced the 1979 blockbuster (perhaps most direct is a visit to a derelict ship populated with the skeleton of a giant creature). Of course, who wouldn’t lift from Bava, who puts on a stunning show of cinematic craftsmanship with this endeavor, taking audiences to a strange world of heavy fog and blazing red lights, tracking the visiting crew as they attempt to deduce future threat with constant walks around the surface, feeling around its rocky surface and unidentified hazards. There are also ship interiors to study, decorated like a Christmas village, complete with blinking lights, flickable switches, and twirling knobs. Bava puts everything into the look of the movie, and this labor pays off immensely, giving “Planet of the Vampires” a rich visual presence that deepens the genre exploration, supplying a pulpy appearance that captures the imagination.

Special effects are truly memorable, watching the production sell landscapes, derelict ships, and alien life with a range of models, lights, and sets, using classic film techniques to communicate the enormity of the planet without paying a fortune. It’s budget moviemaking, but “Planet of the Vampires” never looks cheap, always mindful of sharp design elements that busy the eye while Bava sustains an investigative mood. Crew outfits are a particular highlight, with the actors clad in high-collared leather flight suits, allowing Bava to give his sterile picture a little sex appeal (co-star Evi Marandi is understandably ogled) and add to the overall comic book nature of the feature. “Planet of the Vampires” is fun to study, spotting tricks that sell the reality of the fantasy to perfection.

The visual elements of the feature do dominate “Planet of the Vampires,” and for good reason. Story-wise, the effort lacks tension and tends to repeat itself, figuring out ways to tour sets multiple times, getting the most out of the money. Performances are secure, but there’s little for the cast to do, with most of the acting devoted to the examination of information and interaction with props. “Planet of the Vampires” is a mood piece, not an exhaustively dramatic event, but pokiness does arrive with unsettling regularity. For a movie that features far-off worlds, an alien threat, and numerous spaceships, it’s punishingly slow at times, in need of a more consistent threat to drive suspense. The titular menace (more zombified than vampiric) isn’t even a primary presence in the story, only really entering the fray in the final act, and even then there’s not much of a rumble between the living and dead. Most of the picture consists of pained looks and scenes of assessment, a disappointing development when the plot features amazing potential for adventure and frights.

Planet of the Vampires Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Color is king during the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation, with wonderful hues emerging from Bava's complex lighting schemes, with reds especially powerful, on full view during planetary exploration sequences and the rare blast of blood. Skintones are equally capable, isolating period make-up techniques. Grain is managed superbly, tasteful and true. Fine detail is satisfactory, working through a softly shot feature to explore leathery textures on the crew's flight suits, and the particulars of the alien world are easily pauseable, making it simple to study Bava's brilliance. Blacks are stable, with delineation during low-lit encounters. Some mild flicker is detected on the left side of the frame. Speckles and the occasional scratch also pop into view periodically.

Planet of the Vampires Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix remains in fresh condition for the majority of the listening experience, exploring Bava's world with an engaging concentration on alien atmospherics and crew interplay. Dialogue is dubbed, creating pronounced performances that are easy to follow (original synch is quite terrible at times), with emotional ranges secured. Scoring is healthy and supportive. There are a few dips in quality, around 64:00 and 76:00, where the track thickens and lowers, but such moments are rare, returning to normal in a hurry.

Planet of the Vampires Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features Mario Bava biographer Tim Lucas.

• Still Gallery contains 44 images, covering VHS box art, press kit stills, and BTS snaps.

• "Night of the Id" is the original short story that inspired "Planet of the Vampires," written by Renato Pestriniero.

• Alternate Music Score Highlights (20:31, SD) details a different approach to the sound of "Planet of the Vampires."

• Original Italian Opening Credits (2:48, SD) display a more stark commencement for the picture, with black and white main titles.

• "Trailers from Hell" featuring Joe Dante (3:47, HD) discusses the director's love of Bava and the picture, commenting over the original theatrical trailer.

• "Trailers from Hell" featuring Josh Olson (2:28, HD) follows Dante's lead, though Olson is a bit more open about the picture's shortcomings.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:17, SD) is included.

Planet of the Vampires Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Planet of the Vampires" may not have a full tank of gas when it comes to dramatics, but few pictures carry this level of resourcefulness. It's a celebration of Bava's vision for horror and sci-fi, his craftsmanship and interest in stretching a dollar. There are few like him, and while this particular endeavor doesn't crank up anxiety levels, it remains a fascinating study of filmmaking technique that's well worth a look.