{"id":15516,"date":"2015-06-08T00:12:32","date_gmt":"2015-06-08T04:12:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=15516"},"modified":"2015-06-08T00:11:32","modified_gmt":"2015-06-08T04:11:32","slug":"vampyros-lesbos-1971-special-limited-2-disc-collectors-edition-blu-raydvd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/08\/vampyros-lesbos-1971-special-limited-2-disc-collectors-edition-blu-raydvd\/","title":{"rendered":"Vampyros Lesbos (1971): Special Limited 2 Disc Collector\u2019s Edition (Blu-Ray\/DVD)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u00a0Jess Franco\u2019s vampire film genuinely doesn\u2019t live up to the hype it\u2019s garnered with horror and film buffs over the decades since its release. It\u2019s a tedious and often dull affair that manages to numb the sexuality due to its incessant filler. The filler is ever present from the opening shots, and is used to pad the film\u2019s run time, from performances in front of crowds, right down to dream sequences, much of it is used as a tactic to pad a thinly veiled \u201cDracula\u201d remake.<\/p>\n

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Ewa Str\u00f6mberg plays Linda, a woman seduced by the Countess Carody, a gorgeous snake as played by Soledad Miranda. After receiving an inheritance by Dracula, Linda is called to the island where Carody lives, and despite warnings to stay away, arrives to find Carody a very enticing individual who begins transforming Linda soon enough. Much of \u201cVampyros Lesbos\u201d plays like a psychedelic version of \u201cDracula\u201d using the vampiric menace as a means of transforming their victims\u2019 sexuality rather than their human form. Lesbianism is depicted as something of a maddening mental illness inflicted by Carody, while the men in Linda\u2019s life fight to keep her from transforming in to one of Carody\u2019s lovers.<\/p>\n

Despite strong performances, \u201cVampyros Lesbos\u201d is a thin and anemic horror film with almost nothing to offer audiences beside its artistic gloss and on the nose symbolism. Whenever we see Carody we cut immediately to a scorpion, and Carody\u2019s house is filled with red furniture, as to indicate the blood shed that\u2019s sorely lacking from the actual film. In its rare moments, \u201cVampyros Lesbos\u201d garners some unique imagery, as well as solid direction from Franco, who depicts much of the maddening sexuality with heavy edits, quick cuts, and back and forth sexual confrontations that switch time periods and may or may not be in the minds of our characters. Miranda steals the film with her portrayal of Countess Carody making and otherwise tedious affair at least worth experimenting with. \u201cVampyros Lesbos\u201d garners a heavy reputation, but is a terribly lackluster effort from Franco.<\/p>\n

The Blu-Ray from Severin Films is packed with bells and whistles for the self respecting Francophile. \u201cInterlude in Lesbos: Interview with writer\/director Jess Franco\u201d is a twenty minute interview with Jess Franco who discusses his his relationship with German producer Artur Brauner and the films he did with Soledad Miranda. As well he discusses \u201cVampyros Lesbos\u201d in great length. \u201cStephen Thrower on Vampyros Lesbos\u201d is a twelve minute interview with author Stephen Thrower who is an expert on Franco discussing his past work, his collaborations with Artur Brauner, and his work on \u201cVampyros Lesbos,\u201d and \u201cShe Killed in Ecstasy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSublime Soledad\u201d is a twenty minute interview with Soldead Miranda expert Amy Brown, who discusses the actresses life and legacy. \u201cJess is Yoda Clip\u201d is a fun interview with Franco who explains he was the inspiration for the Star Wars character. \u201cGerman Opening Title Sequence\u201d is the alternate opening for \u201cVampyros Lesbos,\u201d as well as the original German Trailer. On the DVD, \u201cLas Vampiras\u201d is the Spanish Language version of the film that\u2019s both heavily edited and considered a boot leg. It\u2019s a second cut for fans interested in re-visiting the film in a different vision. Finally, there\u2019s a mini poster for the film for collectors.<\/p>\n