El Vampiro (The Vampire) & El Ataud del Vampiro (The...

Buy This Item El Vampiro (The Vampire) & El Ataud del Vampiro (The... by Casanegra Ent  Available from Amazon  $26.99  on 11-14-2008     <b>The Greatest Mexican Vampire Film Classics, Together in a Special 2-Disc Set</b> <b>The Vampire</b>aka:El Vampiro Described as "Dracula on a hacienda," The Vampire chronicles the journey of young Marta (<b>Ariadna Welter</b>) who learns that her family is under the demonic control of Count Luvad (<b>Germán Robles</b>). As he feeds on the blood of the locals and aims to raise his brother from the dead, Marta and the mysterious Dr. Enrique (<b>Abel Salazar</b>) threaten the Count. The wrath of The Vampire then reigns down upon them, and an all-time horror classic plays out with unforgettable eeriness and excitement. <b>The Vampire's Coffin</b>aka:El Ataúd del Vampiro You can’t keep a wicked bloodsucker down, as proven in The Vampire's Coffin, the follow-up to The Vampire. Marta (<b>Ariadna Welter</b>) and Dr. Enrique (<b>Abel Salazar</b>) battle Count Luvad (<b>Germán Robles</b>) anew, after he has turned the grave-robbers who accidentally resurrected him into zombie servants. Bent on vengeance and clamoring for the blood of beautiful women, Count Luvad proves to be one of horror’s most indelible villains, and The Vampire’s Coffin is a spooky, thrilling classic every bit on par with its renowned predecessor. <b>Special Features/<b> • Original Uncut Versions • Both Films Completely Re-Mastered Picture & Sound from Newly Restored Vault Elements • Bilingual Menus in English & Spanish • Audio Commentary by <b>Robert Cotter</b>, Author of The Mexican Masked Wrestler & Monster Filmography • Photo Essay: Fear a la Mexicana! Mexican Horror Cinema, 1953 to 1965 • DVD ROM: Complete 1976 French Photo Novel of The Vampire’s Coffin • The Original U.S. Theatrical Release Radio Spots • Exclusive CasaNegra Loteria Game Card • Abel Salazar’s 1995 Obituary from The Boston Globe • Cast Biographies • Extensive Poster and Stills Gallery Reader Reviews It is definitely the equivalent of Gothic eye candy to finally have "El Vampiro" and even "El Ataud Del Vampiro" finally released together on DVD. I remember seeing stills and photographs of "El Vampiro" in various books and on websites, and these simply whet my appetite to see this Mexican cult classic. Now, in finally viewing the film, it truly delivers on what those stills and photos promised; wonderfully eerie and atmospheric black and white cinematography, with some ominous fog beautifully embracing all that it hovers over. What's also significant is that this film, though Mexican, can be seen as a bridge between the classic Universal horrors and the soon to come, Technicolor, blood dripping Hammer Horror remakes of the Dracula and Frankenstein monsters. For instance, this Count has taken lessons from the Deane/Balderston school of vampires in being well groomed and suave, and can easily mingle with society; this is the type of vampire immortalized by Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula. However, when preying on victims, the Count tosses aside such surface civility and, with mouth wide open, proudly displays his large incisors when going in for the bite. This is a shadow of the more raw and animalistic portrayal of Dracula from Christopher Lee (who was influenced by Roble's portrayal). The film concerns a young girl, named Marta, returning to her home in the Sierra Negra, or Black Sierra Mountains after one of her Aunts has been said to pass away. The funeral procession itself is a creepy visual highlight as all present pass through the old church with a mournful bell in the background, and then on through the ominous and fog drenched forest to where she is entombed in the family crypt. At the same time, Marta, accompanied by Dr. Enrique (Abel Salazar) enter the town through the same fog shrouded forest with the sense that they're being followed. She returns home and all does not seem as it was. From here, secrets within the family grow, haunting singing is heard throughout the hacienda, and (Marta begins seeing "visions" of her just buried Aunt.) Also, there's something strange about Marta's other Aunt who is consistently dressed all in black for starters, and has strangely not aged since Marta last saw her as a young girl. And, all in her household seem to be in the grip of an eerie nobleman who visits from time to time and may have his own designs on everyone. To add to the chilling and foreboding atmosphere, there is a night stalker preying on victims, coming out of the fog to attack them on the road, or in their bedrooms as they sleep. Could it all be related? As the vampire, Count Lavud, German Robles is an excellent combination of suavity in evening clothes iconized by Bela Lugosi in Dracula and to be associated as the classic image of the vampire for a long time. However, he balances that well with the remorseless psychopathic killer baring a pair of some of the largest incisors in vampire film history. He was beaten out recently in the movie adaptation of Stephen King's "The Night Flyer" amongst others. German Robles is supported by a good ensemble cast with the film's producer, Abel Serrera, as the doctor/hero of the film, as well as the heroine, Marta, portrayed nicely by Ariadna Welter. Yes, some of the effects are silly, but retain a childlike sense of wonder in their simplicity of execution. In the sequel, "El Ataud Del Vampiro," while bringing back some of the main characters from the prior movie, there is simply not the same amount of atmosphere that the first one held, as much of it takes place in a dull hospital setting. From there, the film moves into more modern surroundings, while including a wax museum which doesn't seem to fit the flow of the piece. It all seems forcefully pasted together and goes by the numbers save for a few moody sequences that take place during the beginning with grave robbers attempting to break in and steal the Vampire's corpse for the purposes of medical study. Though the second film is somewhat tepid, German Robles competently carries it along, with Abel Salazar returning as the well-meaning doctor, and all involved give decent performances. Both films were produced by Abel Salazar, and both were directed by Fernando Mendez. It is truly a treat to have both films with commentary by Mexican film buff author, Robert Cotter, included amongst other items of interest in one DVD.

El Vampiro (The Vampire) & El Ataud del Vampiro (The... Available from Amazon Price: $26.99 Updated on 11-14-2008.

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