Comments on: Blu Vamp

By: Top 10 Home Video Releases of 2012 « White City Cinema

Top 10 Home Video Releases of 2012 « White City Cinema — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:38:38 +0000

[...] Louis Feuillade’s groundbreaking and deathless mystery serial was originally released in 10 parts over a span of several months in 1915 and 1916. Blu-ray, however, is arguably the ideal way to experience this 7-hour silent film extravaganza (spread across two discs in Kino’s set): one can dip into it at any given point at any time to experience its proto-Surrealist delights. And for those who have heard of Feuillade, a kind of French D.W. Griffith, but are not yet familiar with his work, this is also the best place to start: Les Vampires, a supreme entertainment about an intrepid journalist matching wits against a gang of master criminals, exerted a big influence on Fritz Lang’s Mabuse films, the entire espionage genre, and even the nouvelle vague in its pioneering use of self-reflexivity (most obvious in the fourth-wall-busting comic performance of Marcel Levesque). Full review here. [...]

By: gold account

gold account — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:56:42 +0000

The first three episodes essentially function like an extended exposition, introducing viewers to Guérande’s tenacious personality and the overall plotline of the series. After the reporter’s dangerous encounter with the First Grand Vampire (Jean Aymé), not only a deadly foe but a master of disguises as well, the famed ballerina Marfa Koutiloff (Stacia Napierkowska) is murdered while in the middle of a stage performance, one the serial’s most famous sequences. Going into “The Red Codebook,” we discover Irma Vep (the lovely vamp Musidora in one of her most memorable and celebrated roles), whose name is a fun anagram for vampire, is also one of the head ringleaders, capable of some vicious acts. But keeping things from veering too dark, Feuillade adds the clownish antics of Marcel Lévesque as Mazamette, always looking at the camera with a crafty, sly smile to let us in on the humor.

By: michaelgloversmith

michaelgloversmith — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:24:27 +0000

You are correct about the Mabuse films showing the influence of Les Vampires. One of the biggest points of comparison is in the depiction of criminals who commit elaborate financial crimes less for profit than out of a sense of mischief and what seems like the desire to sow anarchy through a society. The surveillance theme in The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse also shows the influence of Feuillade’s Judex.

By: Grand Old Movies

Grand Old Movies — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:29:53 +0000

I haven’t seen Les Vampires, but, from your description, I can see how it would have had an influence on Fritz Lang, particularly in his Mabuse films. Indeed, his second (sound) Mabuse film is structured like a serial, with a danger-threatening climax every 20 minutes.

By: michaelgloversmith

michaelgloversmith — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:46:54 +0000

Thanks for the info. I should point out, however, that the version you’re renting from Blockbuster is the old Image DVD release from the 1990s, not the superior new Kino HD transfer, which is the focus of my review (and which is available in DVD and Blu-ray editions). Still, seeing Feuillade in any form is a good thing.

By: Rhys

Rhys — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 17:38:52 +0000

I watched a clip of Les Vampires and I am definitely intrigued by it. I’ve always loved silent films and this seems to be one of the good ones. I’m just sorry that I didn’t hear about this one until I read your review. To my surprise I was actually able to find the 1915 version for rent using my Blockbuster @ Home account and now that I’ve added it to my queue it should arrive via mail by the end of the week. This takes the work out of finding a copy which means I can spend more time enjoying the films. A Dish co-worker suggested Blockbuster to me after trying it for a few weeks and I’ve been using it ever since. As you mentioned in your post, I thought this might be a vampire movie but I am relieved to see that it isn’t. I think I really will enjoy this movie and I can’t wait for it to get here.

By: michaelgloversmith

michaelgloversmith — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:27:56 +0000

Thanks, David. It’s tricky to say that Les Vampires is 7 hours long. It’s more like one movie with 9 sequels, all of which are between 15 minutes and an hour long. I think a lot of people equate a long running time with boredom but, as I tried to make clear in my review, movies don’t get more entertaining than Les Vampires.

I agree that Kino is doing incredible work.

By: david

david — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 05:33:34 +0000

What a review! I hope you build a Blu review site,Man!!

I’ve never seen any silent films that long,but after reading this review,I surely will try it.”The most significant directors in the development of cinema prior to 1920 were D.W. Griffith in the United States and Louis Feuillade in France.” This guy must be great,and the influences this film has on later films are also amazing!

And I want to shout :Kino is the king of silent film release!

By: michaelgloversmith

michaelgloversmith — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 19:21:16 +0000

All right! I checked out your Breathless post on your blog and I can fully understand your resistance to it on the basis that it is an “adolescent” film. It’s really best appreciated if you are 18 or 19 years old and already somewhat familiar with classic Hollywood and foreign films (in much the same way that The Catcher in the Rye is most effective if you read it when you’re 15 and On the Road is most effective if you read it when you’re 18). It’s the kind of thing that can change your life if you encounter it at the right time. This is why I ALWAYS show it to my first year film students.

Vivre sa Vie is a much more austere and mature work. If you respond well to it, then definitely take a look at Contempt again. I think Contempt is THE masterpiece of Godard’s early career.

Thanks for the tip on the Langlois book. That looks great.

By: mitchell brown

mitchell brown — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 16:44:03 +0000

If you haven’t already read this you might want to take a look at : http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Films-Langlois-Cinematheque-Francaise/dp/0436428318/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346690346&sr=1-5&keywords=henri+langlois

Another Musidora tidbit you probably already know: it is her eyes that are the symbol of the Chicago Film Festival!

Also, in my quest to re-engage JLG after your excellent post I will be taping Vivre Sa Vie today on Turner (part of a day-long Telluride homage which includes such wide-range stuff as Tarkovsky’s My Name Is Ivan)

Wish me luck