6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In the near future the two spaceships Argos and Galliot are sent to investigate the mysterious planet Aura. As the Galliot lands on the planet her crew suddenly go berserk and attack each other. The strange event passes, but the crew soon discovers the crashed Argos - and learns that her crew died fighting each other! Investigating further, the explorers come to realize the existence of a race of bodiless aliens that seek to escape from their dying world...
Starring: Barry Sullivan, Norma Bengell, Ángel Aranda, Evi Marandi, Franco AndreiHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 81% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
None
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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.
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.
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" 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.
1966
Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror | Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens | 2006 Restoration, Hans Erdmann/Heller compilation score
1922
The Mask of Satan / La maschera del demonio | The Mario Bava Collection
1960
1985
AIP Cut | 60th Anniversary
1963
Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht
1979
Special Edition | The Creeping Unknown
1955
1958
Space Mission to the Lost Planet / Vampire Men of the Lost Planet
1970
1964
2K Restoration
1958
La perversa caricia de Satán
1976
Standard Edition
1953
呪いの館 血を吸う眼 / Noroi no yakata: Chi o suu me
1971
幽霊屋敷の恐怖 血を吸う人形 / Chi o suu ningyô
1970
1953
L'amante del vampiro
1960
Warner Archive Collection
1951
Les démoniaques | Limited Edition | Indicator Series
1974
El retorno del hombre lobo
1981