Description

A mad scientist captures young women in Paris and drains them of their blood in service of an evil Duchess. Also known as Lust of the Vampire, Riccardo Freda’s I vampiri mixes the Bathory and Frankenstein stories to create its gothic tale, Italy’s first horror film. Made as a challenge by Freda at breakneck speed, cinematographer Mario Bava would complete direction and post-production of the film, adding his signature in the process. With its baroque imagery and stunning visuals, I vampiri forged the path for Italian horror and remains a landmark of Italian cinema history.

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

2K restoration of the film presented with Italian audio

Alternate presentation of the UK Lust of the Vampire cut, newly transferred for this release from archival materials courtesy of the BFI National Archive (1959, 66 mins)

Alternate SD presentation of the US The Devil’s Commandment cut (1960, 72 mins)

Audio commentary by Tim Lucas (2023)

Bloodthirst - a featurette on the making of the film with Fabio Melelli, Mario Bava and Dario Michaelis (2013, 17 mins)

Interview with Lamberto Bava (2022, 15 mins)

Interview with Leon Hunt, author of Mario Bava: The Artisan as Italian Horror Auteur (2024, 21 mins)

The Devil’s Commandment trailer

Optional English subtitles for Italian audio and English SDH for English audio

Reversible sleeve featuring artwork based on original posters

Booklet featuring new writing by Roberto Curti, author of Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969