MovieChat Forums > Vampire Circus (1972) Discussion > Just watched region free DVD

Just watched region free DVD

posted 16 years ago by Tranio1
10 replies | jump to latest

I got it on Ebay from a Brazillian seller. I spent around twenty bucks, including shipping and I think I got a bargain. The disc looks great. It is absolutely not a bootleg. I'm so happy to finally see this rare film. It has to be the best Hammer vampire film without Christopher Lee and a tremendous vampire film, period! Many creepy moments and goriest film from Hammer.

[–] preppy-3 16 years ago

That's REALLY cool! I've only seen this movie heavily edited on TV years ago. Do u know offhand if he's selling any more copies? I've given up the hope of ever seeing this released officially uncut in the US.

[–] preppy-3 16 years ago

Actually I got it off Amazon. It's in perfect shape and looks great! It only runs 83 minutes but it seems complete and uncut.

[–] Squonkamatic 16 years ago

83 minutes = probably a PAL format transfer of the BBCF approved pre-cut version that would run 87 minutes NTSC. It's not "uncut" because the film was pre-cut before release and that footage has never been restored. But it is regarded as the complete version.

[–] preppy-3 16 years ago

Hi. Good point--it was edited (pretty brutally I heard) by the BBCF. But the USA cut was even MORE cut to get that all important PG rating. Don't even get me started on the TV version here (it runs about 75 minutes!!!).

[–] Squonkamatic 16 years ago

I'd love to see this version too:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=JVDD-1097

It may be the only NTSC version running the full 87 minutes. All of the other complete theatrical prints are PAL 25fps format transfers. Other than the US laserdisc this and another Japan DVD that has a total runtime of 86 minutes are the only known NTSC 24fps presentations for home video.

[–] preppy-3 16 years ago

You know--I think it's the print we have. Really, the running time is only 4 minutes off. As u said we'll never see the full uncut version (which is a shame).

[–] richwicz 16 years ago

I've heard Vampire Circus described as Hammer's goriest movie,I'm not so sure.Perhaps that honour goes to Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell,what do you think?

[–] preppy-3 16 years ago

Hmmmmmmm--actually "Scars of Dracula" was pretty gory too. No--I gotta give it to "Vampire Circus". I think it was bloodier than the other two. Also "Vampire..." had children being killed on screen. Almost no other horror film did that.

[–] Squonkamatic 16 years ago

I've heard Vampire Circus described as Hammer's goriest movie,I'm not so sure.Perhaps that honour goes to Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell,what do you think?

It'd be a close call, there is some footage missing from the scene where Dora finds the torn up maggot covered corpses in the woods so its sort of hard to tell. The scene in the Frankenstein movie where Peter Cushing kicks the brain aside is also pretty potent and the bit where the monster slashes the guy's throat is out of control. It could come down to how you relate to the approach to the material. The Frankenstein movie is definitely a "classier" production and doesn't wallow in sleaze the way that Vampire Circus does. As such the Frankenstein movie's gore scenes have a different effect on the viewer, and Vampire Circus' gore scenes come off as more overt. In terms of sheer blood and body parts the Frankenstein movie probably has more splatter, but the approach of Vampire Circus is more sensationalistic.

[–] 16 years ago

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