Vampyr (1932)

[Scottie]

With Vampyr, Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer channeled his genius for creating mesmerizing atmosphere and austere, unsettling imagery into the horror genre. The result—a chilling film about a student of the occult who encounters supernatural haunts and local evildoers in a village outside Paris—is nearly unclassifiable. A host of stunning camera and editing tricks and densely layered sounds creates a mood of dreamlike terror. With its roiling fogs, ominous scythes, and foreboding echoes, Vampyr is one of cinema’s greatest nightmares.

SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET:

High-definition digital transfer of the original German version of the film, from the 1998 restoration by Martin Koerber and the Cineteca di Bologna, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
Alternate version with English text
Audio commentary featuring film scholar Tony Rayns
Carl Th. Dreyer, a 1966 documentary by Jørgen Roos chronicling Dreyer’s career
Video essay by scholar Casper Tybjerg on Dreyer’s influences in creating Vampyr
Radio broadcast from 1958 of Dreyer reading an essay about filmmaking
PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by critics Mark Le Fanu and Kim Newman, a piece by Koerber on the restoration, and a 1964 interview with producer and actor Nicolas de Gunzburg
AND: A book featuring Dreyer and Christen Jul’s original screenplay and Sheridan Le Fanu’s 1872 story “Carmilla,” a source for the film

Cover by Michael Boland

https://www.criterion.com/films/661-vampyr

[PowellPressburger]

I have been hoping for a blu upgrade of this title every single October! Great to see it is happening. I will hold onto my DVD set... mostly because it is in MINT condition and it has that book. (Not sure if this release will)

[SkyAntoine]

I'm assuming a keep case, so I'll display this alongside my DVD w/ book copy.

[Cremildo]

Been waiting for this since forever.

[javi92]

Nice Halloween timing.

[Vilya]

I am happy about this news! I have wanted to own this on blu-ray for awhile, but I also will retain the dvd edition.

[dig311dug]

hell yesh

[Cutter_]

Yea, i'm happy about this one too

[Pondosinatra]

Don't think I'll be double dipping for this.

Perfectly content with my DVD copy.

[willtopower]

This seems soooo long overdue. Finally. What a brilliant film.

[charlieray1]

It is a great film, and as a huge classic horror AND blu-ray fan, I can't believe I'm saying this but ... I wonder how much blu-ray will help the picture. Unlike the Universal classics, it's a very hazy, dreamy, indistinct lookimng film. Very few details, and very gray looking visuals, with little contrast (it was all filmed at dawn and twilight to give it that look.)

I hope I'm wrong, and I'll be first in line to see, but I can't really picture this film ever having what would normally be considered "great picture quality." It has a look all it's own. We'll see!

[ImAWalkingCorpse]

Can't wait for this one.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by charlieray1

It is a great film, and as a huge classic horror AND blu-ray fan, I can't believe I'm saying this but ... I wonder how much blu-ray will help the picture. Unlike the Universal classics, it's a very hazy, dreamy, indistinct lookimng film. Very few details, and very gray looking visuals, with little contrast (it was all filmed at dawn and twilight to give it that look.)

I hope I'm wrong, and I'll be first in line to see, but I can't really picture this film ever having what would normally be considered "great picture quality." It has a look all it's own. We'll see!

But now the dreamy haze will be in high definition!

[PowellPressburger]

Grain will be more refined and B/W films generally look way better in HD no matter what the age. Can't wait for this one.

[bsend]

After this Criterion, next stop is Haxan.

[BluPat]

I've been wanting this DVD but so glad it's coming to Blu-ray! Will definitely pick up!

[Baron Blood]

Vampyr, Haxan and Juliette Of The Spirits are my most wanted upgrades from Criterion.

However, they've been digitally over-sharpening too much lately.
I'm easily distracted by dancing grain.

[Scottie]

Release Date: October 3, 2017

OP updated with specs.

I don't think the Double-Disc set information is correct, however, as their website only lists the one disc. Must have not deleted it yet.

[Dragun]

Whenever Criterion's specs say "high-definition digital transfer" as opposed to 2K or 4K, does it mean it's sourced from an older 1080p transfer?

[yellowcakeuf6]

I was going through Dreyer's films yesterday and thinking of ordering the Criterion DVD. Excellent news.