Product Description

The Greatest Mexican Vampire Film Classics, Together in a Special 2-Disc Set

The Vampireaka:El Vampiro
Described as "Dracula on a hacienda," The Vampire chronicles the journey of young Marta (Ariadna Welter) who learns that her family is under the demonic control of Count Luvad (Germán Robles). As he feeds on the blood of the locals and aims to raise his brother from the dead, Marta and the mysterious Dr. Enrique (Abel Salazar) threaten the Count. The wrath of The Vampire then reigns down upon them, and an all-time horror classic plays out with unforgettable eeriness and excitement.

The Vampire's Coffinaka:El Ataúd del Vampiro
You can’t keep a wicked bloodsucker down, as proven in The Vampire's Coffin, the follow-up to The Vampire. Marta (Ariadna Welter) and Dr. Enrique (Abel Salazar) battle Count Luvad (Germán Robles) anew, after he has turned the grave-robbers who accidentally resurrected him into zombie servants. Bent on vengeance and clamoring for the blood of beautiful women, Count Luvad proves to be one of horror’s most indelible villains, and The Vampire’s Coffin is a spooky, thrilling classic every bit on par with its renowned predecessor.

Special Features/
• Original Uncut Versions
• Both Films Completely Re-Mastered Picture & Sound from Newly Restored Vault Elements
• Bilingual Menus in English & Spanish
• Audio Commentary by Robert Cotter, Author of The Mexican Masked Wrestler & Monster Filmography
• Photo Essay: Fear a la Mexicana! Mexican Horror Cinema, 1953 to 1965
• DVD ROM: Complete 1976 French Photo Novel of The Vampire’s Coffin
• The Original U.S. Theatrical Release Radio Spots
• Exclusive CasaNegra Loteria Game Card
• Abel Salazar’s 1995 Obituary from The Boston Globe
• Cast Biographies
• Extensive Poster and Stills Gallery

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61347 in DVD
• Brand: Ryko Distribution
• Released on: 2006-10-31
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Color, DVD, Special Edition, NTSC
• Original language: English, Spanish
• Subtitled in: Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .30 pounds
• Running time: 168 minutes

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Like finding a lost treasure
Like other reviewers here, I was raised on the classic Universal monsters, as well as the more colorful offerings of Hammer Films from the 50's to the 70's. So it was with great delight I discovered this pair of Mexican horror films.

El Vampiro was clearly inspired by Universal's Dracula, although it is in almost every way a superior production. German Robles as Count Luvad is quite a commanding figure, and compares favorably with Christopher Lee in Hammer's HORROR OF DRACULA (released the year after El Vampiro). The film is set primarily in a crumbling hacienda, effectively punctuated with swirling mists and cobwebs. Throw in an eerie and occasionally surprising music score and some primitive but effective special effects, and you've got a real winner.

El Ataud Del Vampiro (The Vampire's Coffin), released the following year, picks up where its predecessor ended. Most of the cast and crew returned, as the resurrected Luvad stalks the first film's heroine (the lovely Ariadne Welter), intent on making her his bride. Producer Abel Salazar encores as the nominal leading man, Dr. Enrique. Although most viewers seem to feel the film is not nearly as good as El Vampiro, I have to disagree. The finale in a theatre, in which Luvad frustrates Enrique by constantly changing form, is particularly exciting.

In addition to pristine prints of the two films, there is an informative if amaterish audio commentary on El Vampiro by author Robert Cotter. Both films offer a choice of original Spanish language (with optional English subtitles) or English dubbing. The Spanish track is far superior, as the English dubbing is not only often inaccurate, but spoils the suspension of disbelief necessary to this type of film. There are also extensive promotional materials, and a colorful "Casa Negra Loteria Game Card."

I admit, this was my first Casa Negra DVD, and my first real exposure to Mexican horror cinema. I can hardly wait to discover other such treasures! Meanwhile, THE VAMPIRE COLLECTION is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys atmospheric horror.

Ohhhhhh, My Fangs are Watering!
Being a big fan of many of the ABSA Horror productions from Mexico words can't describe how happy I am to see The Vampire, known as El Vampiro in it's native Mexico, restored and finally released on DVD, and along with it's sequel! El Vampiro is arguably the greatest horror film from south of the border and certainly deserves to be credited along side many of the great classics of the era such as Black Sunday, Blood of Dracula, Flesh & The Fiends, etc.. and the fact this film was made years before those greats is a testament to how influential and under-rated the Mexi Horror Film Wave of the 50's and 60s really is. Director Fernando Mendez proves with The Vampire that he, along with DP Rosalío Solano were in many ways masters of the craft. A must see for anyone who loves great atmospheric horror and has yet to experience the unique, heavily stylish work of the classic Mexican Horror movie makers.

VAMPIRES MEXICAN STYLE.....
More good stuff from CasaNegra, this 2-disc set contains "El Vampiro" & it's sequel "El Ataud del Vampiro" featuring the Mexican vampire Count Lucad who wrecks havoc seeking blood and the heroine (Ariadne Welter) in both. In fact, both films feature the same leads: Welter, German Robles as the Count and the producer Abel Salazar as the hero. Both are done in dreamy, shadowy b&w and the prints are excellent. There's some minor scratching in "El Vampiro" but nothing to distract. Robles is excellent as the Count and both films are well directed by Fernando Mendez who obviously left his mark on international horror cinema with these films. As did Abel Salazar who's featured in almost all of CasaNegra's choice's of films. His gift for acting is particularly notable in "El Ataud del Vampiro" as a man perplexed at the possibility that vampires do exist and forced to confront his rationale and his fear. All films brought to DVD should be done this well and, as usual per CasaNegra, the discs are filled with good extras and commentaries. For vampire lovers the world over, for those who love b&w horror films, for those who love international horror and especially those who love Mexican Gothic---this set is highly, highly recommended. Enjoy.