The Bloodthirsty Trilogy Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

The Bloodthirsty Trilogy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman May 13, 2018

Hammer Horror: The Warner Bros. Years almost unavoidably if kind of tangentially documented the venerable British studio’s impact in the United States due to its partnership with what was then called Warner Brothers — Seven Arts, but Arrow’s new Bloodthirsty Trilogy proves that Hammer’s influence reached far beyond just the shores of the United States, in case there had been any doubt. As the cheerful Kim Newman mentions in an appealing overview included on this two disc set as a supplement, there have been a lot of iconic Japanese horror films through the years going back to the earliest days of cinema, including any number of so-called J-Horror outings that were ultimately adapted into English language entries (Ring), but what may interest horror fans most about The Bloodthirsty Trilogy is this trio of films’ obvious homages to Hammer stylistic proclivities as well as certain plot mechanics. That said, all three of the films in The Bloodthirsty Trilogy definitely have a Japanese sensibility often focusing on the influence of supernatural phenomena, a subtext of sorts that in its own way points both backward to some trends Newman outlines as well as to what would become the future of Japanese horror as evidenced by the glut of 21st century films that gained international audiences. All three of the films in this set are midlevel programmers (even Newman confesses that after having seen each of the trilogy several times he has a hard time remembering them and had to refer to his notes to prepare for his interview for the Blu-ray), and so those searching for obscure, undiscovered masterpieces may be at least a little let down, but all three films have spooky elements and some directorial flair courtesy of Michio Yamamoto.

Reviews of the three films in this set can be accessed by clicking on the following links:

The Vampire Doll Blu-ray review

Lake of Dracula Blu-ray review

Evil of Dracula Blu-ray review

The Bloodthirsty Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality of each release is assessed in the above linked reviews.

The Bloodthirsty Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality of each release is assessed in the above linked reviews.

The Bloodthirsty Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This is the latest multi-film release from Arrow where at least some of the films share a disc, and so supplements on that particular disc are not necessarily tied to a particular film.

Disc One contains The Vampire Doll and the following supplements:

• Kim Newman on The Bloodthirsty Trilogy (1080p; 16:06) offers some nice background on Japanese horror in general and this trilogy in particular, delivered with Newman's typical enthusiasm and humor.


• Original Trailers

  The Vampire Doll (1080p; 2:04)

  
  

  Lake of Dracula (1080p; 2:12)

  
  

  Evil of Dracula (1080p; 2:22)

• Stills Galleries for all three films.

Disc Two contains Lake of Dracula and Evil of Dracula and the following supplements:

• Original Trailers

  The Vampire Doll (1080p; 2:04)

  
  

  Lake of Dracula (1080p; 2:12)

  
  

  Evil of Dracula (1080p; 2:22)

As usual, Arrow has provided a handsomely packaged release which includes a slipcover and a nicely appointed insert booklet.

The Bloodthirsty Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As Kim Newman comments, none of the three films in The Bloodthirsty Trilogy is probably ever going to make anyone's "undiscovered masterpiece" list, but all three films have flashes of undeniable style and generally appealing storylines. Video can be a little variant in all three films, but the mono soundtracks sound fine. Arrow hasn't provided a ton of supplements with this particular release, but what's here is well done, as usual. For J-horror and/or vampire flick completists if for no one else, The Bloodthirsty Trilogy comes Recommended.