The Return of Count Yorga Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

The Return of Count Yorga Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman December 2, 2022

Note: This version of this film is available on Blu-ray as part of The Count Yorga Collection.

In one of several interesting supplements Arrow has aggregated for their Count Yorga Collection release, commentator Tim Lucas makes the case that the first Count Yorga film if not the sequel might be considered a classic, at least within the annals of horror films, and if that may still be a debatable premise, Arrow is providing fans a chance to get "new, improved" versions of both films now that the older Twilight Time and Shout Factory Blu-ray releases have gone out of print and, in some cases, are fetching hard to believe amounts of moolah. As usual with Arrow releases, this is very handsomely packaged and comes with a glut of both on disc and non-disc supplements.

As mentioned above, both of the Count Yorga films had previous releases on Blu-ray from Twilight Time and/or Shout Factory. Those interested in my thoughts on the film are encouraged to read my The Return of Count Yorga Blu-ray review of that version. That review is also a good resource for screenshot comparison (as I tend to do, I've tried to recreate some of my original screenshots) as well as stacking up the supplements between the two releases.

The Return of Count Yorga Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Return of Count Yorga is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow lumps both films together in the insert booklet verbiage about the restorations, as follows:

Count Yorga, Vampire and The Return of Count Yorga are presented in their original aspect ratios of 1.85:1 with mono audio. The original 35mm camera negatives were scanned in 4K resolution at Company 3, Los Angeles. The films were graded and restored in 2K resolution at Dragon DI, Wales. The original audio mixes were remastered by MGM.

All materials for these new restorations were made available by MGM.

Like its forerunner, this release from Arrow also makes a very slight "correction" in terms of aspect ratio (1.85:1 for this release vs. 1.84:1 for the Shout Factory release). What's kind of interesting about this presentation when compared to the Shout presentation is that the color temperature varies somewhat from the Shout, but not always in the same direction. Look, for example at the first screenshot of each review, and it's clear that the Arrow version is more yellow and less pink and warm looking, but then compare screenshot 2 in each review and you may be able to glean an opposite if admittedly not equal (in terms of a dramatic difference) variation. You can perhaps see a more dramatic example of this version looking at least a bit warmer than the Shout if you compare screenshot 3 of this version with screenshot 5 from the Shout. One way or the other, this release boasts some subtle but noticeable upticks in fine detail as well as some general improvement in clarity. Grain resolves tightly for the most part, occasionally getting a bit gritty looking in the darkest moments (Tim Lucas actually jokes in his commentary on the first film that it may have been shot on "remainders" bought for a bargain price at a film lab, and that same situation may have prevailed here as well). Very minor age related wear and tear has made it through the restoration guantlet.

The Return of Count Yorga Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Return of Count Yorga features a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track that, as with the audio presentations of the first film in its two Blu-ray releases, I'd rate as being virtually interchangeable with the track on the Shout Factory release. The sound is inherently narrow, but there's still some good midrange and another fun score from Bill Marx (Harpo's son) also sounds full bodied. Dialogue and effects are rendered without any problems. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Return of Count Yorga Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary by Stephen R. Bissette


• Commentary by David Del Valle & C. Courtney Joyner


• The Count and the Counterculture (HD; 18:13) is a fun piece featuring Maitland McDonagh which looks at the "groovier" aspects of the Count Yorga films.


• Chamber Music of Horrors (HD; 35:17) offers music historian David Huckvale with another cogent analysis of film music.


• Interview with Kim Newman (HD; 33:02) is an "appreciation" by the typically interesting and informative Newman.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:40)


• Radio Spots play to key art imagery:

  Radio Spot #1 (HD*; 00:35)

  
  

  Radio Spot #2 (HD*; 1:04)

• Image Galleries

  Stills (HD)

  
  

  Lobby Cards and Posters (HD)

*720

The Return of Count Yorga Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Return of Count Yorga may suffer a bit from so-called "sophomore slump" (and there never was a "junior" or "senior" offering in this "franchise), but it's diverting enough and provides Quarry another chance to strut his vampiric stuff. This release boasts very nice video and audio and comes with some appealing supplements, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.