6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The film is the story of two teenage girls, Louise and Henriette, who have grown up orphaned and are believed to be blind. While it is true that they cannot see during the day, Louise and Henriette are given the power of vision at night, when they hunt their prey.
Starring: Alexandra Pic, Isabelle Teboul, Natalie Perrey, Gudule, Bernard CharnacéHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 77% |
Erotic | 33% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
French: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
4K Ultra HD
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 0.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Jean Rollin's "Two Orphan Vampires" a.k.a. "Les deux orphelines vampires" (1997) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by critics and authors David Flint and Adrian J. Smith; archival programs with actresses Alexandra Pic and Isabelle Teboul; vintage promotional and production materials; and more. In French or English, with optional English and English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Blue world
The 4K Blu-ray release of Two Orphan Vampires does not have a Blu-ray copy of the film. There is a separate Blu-ray release of the film, which is listed here. I have copies of both and can confirm that they are Region-Free.
I have included screencaptures from the two releases. Please note that the screencaptures from the 4K Blu-ray are downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc, including the actual color values of this content.
Screencaptures #1-22 are from the Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #26-30 are from the 4K Blu-ray.
The 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases introduce a brand new 4K makeover of Two Orphan Vampires that might be the best presentation of a Jean Rollin film to date. I have acquired all North American Blu-ray releases of Rollin films and can categorically state that there isn't another presentation quite like it.
I viewed the entire 4K makeover in native 4K and in 1080p. In native 4K, I chose the HDR grade and then did several comparisons with the previous release of the film from the Redemption label. Before I comment on the quality of the presentation, I must point out that I disagree with Casey Broadwater's take on the previous presentation of the film. I think that it is very convincing and with very consistent organic qualities. It just isn't quite as healthy as the new 4K makeover.
In native 4K, all visuals boast excellent delineation, clarity, and depth. A lot of the darker areas where filters/color light are used look particularly good now because the higher resolution and expanded dynamic range of the visuals handle many delicate nuances exceptionally well. Also, even though shadow nuances were very nice on the previous release, here they look more convincing. Grain exposure varies, but all fluctuations are introduced by the original cinematography. Image stability is excellent. In native 4K and 1080p, the visuals boast wonderful fluidity, so frame movement looks very natural and cinematic. On the previous release, some small bumps can be spotted.
I was surprised to discover that color balance is not one hundred percent identical on the 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. For some reason, on the 4K Blu-ray, blue primaries and nuances occasionally begin to move toward turquoise. (Obviously, the HDR/Dolby Vision grade expands the color gamut, but there is more happening). The difference is not significant, but folks that have access to the 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases will notice the shift. Even though our downscaled screencaptures from the 4K Blu-ray release do not accurately reproduce the color values of the 4K content, you can get a basic idea of what type of discrepancies emerge if you compare this screencapture from the 4K Blu-ray and this screencapture from the Blu-ray. While I like how some darker areas look on the 4K Blu-ray a lot, I think that the overall color balance and temperature of the 1080p presentation are slightly better. The entire film looks spotless.
There are two standard audio tracks on this 4K Blu-ray release: French LPCM 1.0 and English LPCM 1.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the French track, and optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the English track.
The original audio track for Two Ophan Vampires is the French track. The English track is a pretty exotic dub track that does not synch well with the atmosphere of the film. The lossless French track is terrific. I think that the music sounds quite incredible and in many areas becomes far more effective than the visuals. The audio is nicely rounded, stable, and very healthy. The English translation is excellent.
If you try to understand the cinematic world of Jean Rollin only by viewing archival content with the director and various programs where his work is deconstructed by prominent critics, it is practically guaranteed that you will be introduced to a mainstream image of it that is quite misleading. For example, there is an interesting archival program with Rollin on this release in which he describes himself as a devout cinematic surrealist, but the truth is that he was an unconventional cinematic improvisator like Jess Franco. (It is precisely why he did adult films, too). Also, Rollin did some quite fascinating things while questioning the classic cycle of existence and exploring female elegance, beauty, and psychology, so the majority of his films are very intimate projects. Two Orphan Vampires is not regarded as one of Rollin's best films, but I think that it produces the same tremendous atmosphere that makes all of his films unique and enjoyable. This 4K Blu-ray release is sourced from a very fine new 4K master, but does not have a Blu-ray copy of the film. If you need a Blu-ray copy, you will have to pick up this release. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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