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Hooray, Casanegra, for the re-release of El Vampiro, and its sequel, El Araud del Vampiro, two beautiful, early vampire films. Dramatically lit close-ups of El Vampiro's eyes and neck biting, as well as special effects illustrating his morphing into a bat or vanishing through walls and fog compete with American versions of Dracula starring Bela Lugosi. Originally from ABSA Horror Productions, these two movies directed by Fernando Méndez and imported into the U.S. by K. Gordon Murray, most clearly influenced the Hammer films starring Christopher Lee, who borrows in look and manner from El Vampiro's Count Duval (German Rob
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Hooray, Casanegra, for the re-release of El Vampiro, and its sequel, El Araud del Vampiro, two beautiful, early vampire films. Dramatically lit close-ups of El Vampiro's eyes and neck biting, as well as special effects illustrating his morphing into a bat or vanishing through walls and fog compete with American versions of Dracula starring Bela Lugosi. Originally from ABSA Horror Productions, these two movies directed by Fernando Méndez and imported into the U.S. by K. Gordon Murray, most clearly influenced the Hammer films starring Christopher Lee, who borrows in look and manner from El Vampiro's Count Duval (German Robles). In El Vampiro, the Count has come from Hungary to Los Sicomoros, a luxuriant Mexican hacienda, to revive his dead vampire brother who is buried there and to reinstate what was once the House of Luvad (Duval backwards). As the current residing family is torn apart by vampirism, visiting niece, Marta (Ariadna Welter), is forced to fight the Count's decision that she is his chosen one. Another houseguest, Dr. Enrique (Abel Salazar), plays the scientist/sleuth protecting Marta's safety. In the sequel, Dr. Enrique and his partner unearth the Count's corpse to scientifically study it, with disastrous results. Vampire clichés are cinematically rendered with great results, such as the repeated use of mirrors to show vampires' reflections as either disappeared or as skeletons. In one scene, Marta's vampire aunt and Count Duval communicate telepathically. The shadows cast by these vampires recall early monster classics like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari or Nosferatu, in their black-and-white, chiaroscuro effect. The complete lack of blood in these films makes them conservative compared to later films in the genre. Audio commentary by Robert Cotter and a photo essay on Mexican Horror Cinema (1953-1965) add purchasing impetus for collectors. With less psychedelic tendency than the Brazilian Coffin Joe trilogy, but the same amount of latent sexual innuendo, El Vampiro and El Araud del Vampiro have stood the test of time for the sheer sexiness of their subject matter. --Trinie Dalton
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Manufacturer: Casanegra Ent
Release date: 31 October 2006
Number of discs: 2
EAN: 0883164900597 UPC: 883164900597
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