"Count Yorga Vampire"/&/The Dunwich Horror"
COUNT YORGA VAMPIRE
(1970)
Starring:Robert Quarry, Roger Perry, Michael Murphy, Michael Macready and Donna Anderson.
Written and Directed By:Bob Kelljan.
Dashing, Dark and Deadly.
MGM Home Entertainment - 16x9 Enhanced 1:85.1 - Dolby Digital Mono - Theatrical Trailer.
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Robet Quarry stars as the charismatic Bulgarian Count Yorga, Vampire. A 1970 vampire flick thats very dated to today's standards but did very well in it's time. A high grossing film which had a low budget and even spawned a sequel, "The Return of Count Yorga". A true drive-in classic that sinks it's teeth into you and leaves you hypnotheised for more. Though lacking in pace, the story keeps you enthralled.
When a young girl decides to have a seance she asks Count Yorga who was a friend of her dead mothers to hold the seance. The wind blows, the lights go out and one of the girls screams and faints. Carried to the couch by the Count, she is suddenly hypnothesied by him and put into a trance. The Count then states that he is not feeling well and regrets to inform that he must go. The girls wakes from the couch and asks the Count if he would like to visit in the morning. The Count refuses being a vampire, and he heads off into the night.
Later, we find two lovers Paul and Erica park their van outside Count Yorga's castle. Their van is suddenly stuck in the mud. They begin to hear the howls of wolves nearby and decide to head into the castle for the night. They are greeted by the Count and advised they are welcomed to stay the night. The next morning, Paul wakes to find he has a headache. Erica on the other hand has two mysterious puncture wounds on her neck.
Back home Paul walks in to find Erica feeding on her cat. With blood dripping from her mouth and the dead cat in hand, Erica now has a craving for blood. A transfusion is performed by the doctor, but will it save her life and soul?
Creepy and Charming, Count Yorga Vampire, sinks it's teeth into you every step along the way. A few jumps and thrills but mostly the fine acting by Robert Quarry makes Count Yorga the classic it has become today.
Now on DVD by MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT the disc is presented in a Enhanced Widescreen 16x9 1.85:1 format. The Disc also contains the Theatrical Trailer and the sound is in english or french mono dolby digital, and contains french and spanish language subtitles. MGM provides a very nice film transfer, not prestine but good. The colors seem a little faded but not bad. This is the best the film has ever looked on home video. The films original mono soundtrack is good but not great. It has some minor problems but clear neverless.
Also known as and is credited as in this film transfer, "The Loves of Count Igore", it was filmed with some sex scenes which were eventually cut to make for a PG rating to the now PG-13 ratting. Fans of the film will be very happy with the results in it's picture but may be a little disapointed that no extras other then the fun trailer.
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THE DUNWICH HORROR
(1970)
Starring: Sandra Dee, Dean Stockwell, Ed Begley and Sam Jaffe.
Directed By: Daniel Haller.
The Devil's spawn is about to open the gates of hell..
MGM Home Entertainment - 16x9 Enhanced 1:85.1 - Dolby Digital Mono - Theatrical Trailer.
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Based on a story by H.P.Lovecraft, "The Dunwich Horror" contains a gothic atmosphere filled with genuine suspense. Though lacking in horror, and being more like a thriller, their are some fine acting performances by the cast which left me entertained throughout the film.
A few years ago in Dunwich, a woman bore twins. One was said to be dead while the other was said to be almost human.
When a young warlock Wilbur Whateley (Stockwell), pays a visit to Miskatonic University Library, he is meet by Nancy Wagner (Dee). Nancy is a young co-ed who is studying The Necronomicon, a rare book of evil spells. When Whateley asks Nancy if he could borrow the book, she fills his request. Whateley is then meet by Dr.Armitage (Begely), a proffesor of the occult who possesses the powerful Necronomicon. A brief discussion between the two regarding the powers of the book transpires. Whateley then steals the book and persuades Nancy to drive him back to Dunwich. Once in Dunwich, he begins to drug her. Nancy entranced by his powers falls victim to his desires, unaware that she is becoming part of his evil plan.
Old Grandpa Whateley (Jaffe), is dead set against what Wilbur has in mind to do. He tries to warn Nancy that she is part of the plot for a ceremony of sacrifice.
Can Nancy break free of the spell she is under? or Will she be the sacrifice he needs to open the gates of hell?
An O.K film with not much action and dated to the 70's style from Whateley's hair to the bell bottom clothes. A very annoying music theme which takes place from the opening scene and continues to the end of the song, limited to one song redone in different variations will drive you insane. The monster at the end is nothing but a mass of latex snake heads and arms is cheesy and almost laughable. Though I enjoyed the film, it is some what slow moving and doesn't have any gore or jumps to make for a horror film. Also look for Talia Shire, known as Talia Coppola as Nurse Cora, who later found fame in "Rocky" and "The Godfather". I would also think that this film was some what controversial over the fact that Sandra Dee who was known to be sweet and wholesome had a nude scene in this film.
Now on DVD by MGM as part of their Midnight Movie Collection. The film is presented in a Widescreen Enhanced 16x9, 1.85:1 theatrical release format. In a very crisp Dolby Digital Mono soundtrack. The disc contains the Original Theatrical Trailer. A nice and clear picture, has a minimal amount of visible grain thats not distracting. The colors are nicely saturated and the black level seems just right. For a film of it's age this picture is very good.
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