The Fearless Vampire Killers Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Fearless Vampire Killers" delivers an impressive visual experience, thanks to a new 1080p transfer sourced from a fresh 2K scan of the film’s interpositive. With an emphasis on cleanup, this transfer maintains the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, ensuring that film grain remains organic and unobtrusive. The color palette is exceptionally vivid, with fine details rendered faithfully, particularly in the lavish castle sets and costume designs. Skin tones are accurately represented, whether flushed or pale due to various character circumstances. A very small number of early-shot scenes, particularly some establishing shots and the bookending sleigh rides, still exhibit slight roughness possibly due to format conversions during production.

Overall, this release boasts an absence of significant print damage or visual noise, providing a nearly pristine viewing experience devoid of banding, noise reduction, or compression artifacts. The majority of the film appears clean and impressive, marking a substantial upgrade over previous DVD releases. This is particularly evident when comparing the fidelity and depth rendered in darker, dimly lit tavern scenes against the more opulent castle interiors. Warner Archive Collection (WAC) has succeeded in delivering a standout visual presentation here, making this Blu-ray edition of "The Fearless Vampire Killers" an essential acquisition for fans and collectors alike.

The audio presentation of "The Fearless Vampire Killers" on Blu-ray is notably faithful to the film’s original mono track, encapsulated within a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 format. The dialogue remains robust and clear, seamlessly balanced with Krzysztof Komeda’s haunting score and sound effects. The track shows minimal signs of age-related wear, such as hissing or pops, and maintains consistency without any sync issues. The overall sound quality is significantly superior to the 2004 Warner Bros. DVD release, ensuring that it meets the expectations of the film’s ardent fans.

However, it's worth noting that certain scenes suffer from slight muffling, likely rooted in source material limitations. Despite this, the soundtrack achieves commendable clarity and fidelity, enhancing the immersive experience of the eerie narrative without unnecessary intrusions. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature, albeit formatted in ubiquitous all caps, which could be a minor aesthetic detractor but functionally serves the purpose well within the 2.35:1 frame. This Blu-ray edition decidedly provides the best audio rendition of the film that fans will find on home video.

The extras of "The Fearless Vampire Killers" Blu-ray provide a succinct yet entertaining glimpse into the film’s unique elements and marketing history. Included is the humorous vintage featurette "Vampires 101," offering a comedic take on vampire lore and hunting, hosted by Professor Cecil Havelock-Montague. Additionally, the disc features an alternate, vibrant animated main title sequence created for the American release, which adds a nostalgic, Schoolhouse Rock-like flair. Lastly, the original theatrical trailer showcases the film's misguided American marketing strategy with over-the-top slapstick and dubbed cartoon sound effects, providing insight into its box office underperformance. These supplements not only enhance one's appreciation of Polanski’s work but also provide historical context to its mixed reception.

Extras included in this disc:

• Vampires 101: Brief comedic overview of vampire lore from 1967.
• Alternate Main Title: Animated sequence for the American theatrical run.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original marketing trailer with slapstick elements.

Roman Polanski’s The Fearless Vampire Killers, released in 1967, is a blend of comedy and horror, showcasing Polanski's unique ability to weave these two genres seamlessly. Originally butchered for the American market by MGM, which trimmed nearly 20 minutes and added a playful animated introduction, the film floundered at the domestic box office. Thankfully, Polanski's original cut appeared in America in 1979, restoring the intended balance between horror and comedy. The movie follows the eccentric Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran) and his bumbling assistant Alfred (Polanski) as they venture into a remote Transylvanian village. There, they aim to eradicate vampire influence and rescue Sarah (Sharon Tate), the innkeeper’s daughter, who has been kidnapped by the sinister Count von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne).

Despite its initial reception, The Fearless Vampire Killers has been reappraised over the years and is regarded as a notable blend of horror and satire. The film is visually stunning, utilizing elaborate studio sets, excellent location footage, and Panavision framing to establish a captivating atmosphere. Key scenes, such as the climactic ball sequence where Sarah is to be transformed into a vampire, are a testament to the movie’s production values, rivaling contemporaneous Hammer films. Polanski’s portrayal of Alfred and the charming yet bumbling dynamic he shares with MacGowran’s Professor Abronsius adds depth to the comedic elements, while still respecting traditional vampire lore.

Overall, The Fearless Vampire Killers thrives on its successful combination of humor and horror. The film’s cast delivers stellar performances: Tate captivates as Sarah, MacGowran brings a commanding presence to the role of Professor Abronsius, and Mayne’s Count von Krolock exudes a perfect blend of menace and charm. The playful yet dark narrative engages viewers without tumbling into outright silliness, offering a unique cinematic experience that continues to entertain and intrigue.

Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of "The Fearless Vampire Killers" significantly enhances this underrated gem within Roman Polanski’s filmography. Although the film initially struggled to captivate audiences, it has since gained recognition as a clever satire of the vampire genre. The Blu-ray highlights Polanski's signature balance of horror and comedy, evident in the meticulous restoration of his original cut. This release effectively rectifies the tonal inconsistencies introduced in MGM's American theatrical version by reinstating scenes crucial to maintaining the film's unique charm.

The A/V presentation is a standout feature, offering crisp video resolution that reveals details previously obscured in older editions. The audio quality also sees a notable upgrade, providing clarity to the film’s dialogue and score, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Warner Archive has retained the vintage DVD extras, which include insightful commentaries and behind-the-scenes features that deepen appreciation for this cult classic. These supplementary materials seamlessly complement the high-definition transfer and contribute to the comprehensive appeal of the Blu-ray package.

In conclusion, "The Fearless Vampire Killers" is a fun little horror/comedy exercise that stays above water once our titular duo finally arrives at the Transylvanian castle. The tone stays light without deviating into total goofiness, a balance completely ruined in MGM's American theatrical release. Luckily, the two most recent domestic home video editions of the film -- Warner Bros.' 2004 DVD, and this Warner Archive Blu-ray -- feature director Roman Polanski's original cut; although still not perfect entertainment, it fits the bill for a brisk October matinee. This Blu-ray also serves up a terrific A/V presentation and carries over the vintage DVD extras, making it a no-brainer for die-hard fans of the film.