The Return of the Vampire Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image of "The Return of the Vampire" (1.37:1 aspect ratio) preserves the film’s eerie mood effectively. Fine details are rendered with fidelity, allowing viewers to appreciate the furriness of Andreas and the aged appearance of Tesla. Larger sets and costumes are displayed with clarity, and graveyard scenes convey rich textures. Facial details remain intact, underscoring the film's make-up artistry. While the source material is generally in good condition, some judder, speckling, and occasional stray hairs are present. Notably, the grain maintains a largely fine and filmic quality, becoming more pronounced during the finale act.

Maintaining the film's original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, the presentation offers substantial improvements over previous DVD releases. The grain is sturdy and organic, with density variations evident, especially in night scenes. Overall clarity is commendable, providing deep black levels albeit with some early issues where black night scenes look shiny or flashy. Minor crushing is observed but remains mostly non-distracting. Movements appear cinematic and smooth, with no rapid motion distortions disrupting the viewing experience. Despite some occasional blemishes and streaks indicative of print condition, this presentation is genuinely representative of its age while offering a solid grayscale throughout.

The video encoding utilizes MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p resolution on a BD-50 layer, showing both brilliance in detail and character consistent with the film's vintage. Depth is adequate; space feels authentic as grain has been preserved. Skin tones retain a consistent tint and facial features are adequately depicted in close-ups. Aside from the aforementioned minor artifacts related to print deterioration, the overall video quality enhances the viewing experience and marks a noteworthy improvement from prior versions.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix faithfully captures the limited sonic range of "The Return of the Vampire," maintaining clear dialogue exchanges and managing the film’s monstrous sounds and accents effectively. While a persistent hiss is detectable throughout the audio, it remains unobtrusive, allowing the confident scoring to deliver proper support with reasonable instrumentation, hitting horror and melodramatic highs without any noticeable distortion.

This release also preserves the original mono soundtrack in a DTS-HD Master Audio track, showcasing Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s score with great fidelity and ambiance. Compared to previous DVD versions, the audio presents minimal age-related issues such as crackling, popping, or additional hissing, marking a significant improvement and offering the best sound quality this movie has ever received on home video. Vocals are reproducibly clear and strong, displaying a slight underlying hiss without detracting from their audibility.

Overall, despite some analog sourcing hiss embedded in the audio, the mono track remains solid and balanced with no significant flaws impacting its performance. This ensures a well-rounded auditory experience, maintaining clarity and supporting the film's historical charm while avoiding any major degradation in sound quality.

The Blu-ray edition of "The Return of the Vampire" impressively enhances the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the film through a rich array of extras. Notably, three distinct, recently recorded commentary tracks feature historians Lee Gambin, Gary Don Rhodes, and Troy Howarth, each offering invaluable insights. Gambin delves into the production nuances and the werewolf elements compared to contemporary films; Rhodes provides the most extensive look, covering pre-production to filming; and Howarth contextualizes Bela Lugosi's career. Further enriching the package is an 8mm silent version from a collector’s print, showcasing home exhibition history, though its subtitles might be hard to read. An extensive still gallery and theatrical trailer round out this detailed and engaging supplementary material.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary #1: Features film historian Lee Gambin.
• Commentary #2: Features film historian Gary Don Rhodes.
• Commentary #3: Features film historian Troy Howarth.
• Silent Version: An 8mm edit of the film.
• Image Gallery: Displays poster art, lobby cards, and more.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.

Columbia Pictures' 1943 film, The Return of the Vampire, skillfully recreates the Dracula experience despite legal hurdles preventing direct sequels to Universal's 1931 classic. This cinematic workaround introduces audiences to Bela Lugosi's Armand Tesla, a menacing vampire with enduring charisma reminiscent of his iconic role as Count Dracula. The plot spans across two World Wars, adding multifaceted tension and historical depth to the traditional vampire narrative. Noteworthy is Matt Willis's portrayal of Andreas, Tesla's werewolf servant, which enriches the film's supernatural complexity and offers a precursor to genre-crossovers reminiscent of Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man.

Surprisingly progressive for its time, the film features Freida Inescort as Lady Jane Ainsley, a strong, intelligent female lead who subverts the typical damsel-in-distress trope. This choice, along with brief but impactful acknowledgments of wartime horrors, lends a sense of realism to an otherwise fantastical storyline. After Tesla’s crypt is disturbed during WWII, unleashing his reign of terror anew, it falls upon Lady Jane to combat the undead threat once again. Supporting performances by Gilbert Emery and Nina Foch contribute significantly, particularly Foch’s early career turn as Nikki Saunders, who is vulnerable yet pivotal to the plot.

Director Lew Landers maintains a brisk pace throughout the slightly over one-hour runtime, balancing atmospheric tension with moments of procedural investigation. While the film indulges in some familiar vampire tropes, Lugosi's performance and the innovative inclusion of a werewolf set it apart from its contemporaries. Despite its modest production values, The Return of the Vampire stands out for its narrative choices and solid acting ensemble, making it a rewarding experience for fans of classic horror and Lugosi aficionados alike.

The Return of the Vampire, featuring Bela Lugosi, stands out as a compelling piece of B-level horror cinema that captures the essence of the classic monster era. Lugosi delivers a compelling performance with his signature intense stares and calm menace, which effectively heightens the film's chilling atmosphere. Supported by a capable cast, the movie balances moments of serious horror with occasional humor, ensuring an engaging viewing experience. While it may not reach the iconic heights of Dracula, it provides a valuable opportunity for Lugosi fans to witness his unforgettable portrayal once again.

Shout Factory's Blu-ray release of The Return of the Vampire is commendable for its high-quality audio and visual presentation. The technical aspects are impressive, ensuring that modern audiences can thoroughly appreciate this vintage film. Notable special features include three informative commentary tracks and a rare 8MM version of the movie, making this Blu-ray release a treasure trove for classic horror enthusiasts and collectors alike.

In conclusion, The Return of the Vampire is an effective and engaging horror film, distinguished by Bela Lugosi's unforgettable performance. Its solid Blu-ray release by Shout Factory, featuring high-quality presentations and insightful special features, makes it a recommended addition to any classic horror collection. Fans of the genre and Lugosi devotees will find much to appreciate in this well-rounded package.