Planet of the Vampires (Radiance Films)

[Labor_Unit001]

Planet of the Vampires Blu-ray

https://www.radiancefilms.co.uk/prod...he-vampires-le

In the outer reaches of deep space, the spaceship Galliott answers a distress signal from Aura, an unexplored planet. As the ship attempts to land, members of the crew inexplicably begin to attack one another. This is the start of a terrifying expedition into the unknown, one plagued by paranoia, possession and violent mayhem wrought upon the unsuspecting explorers by the planet’s mysterious inhabitants. A sci-fi horror hybrid from genre master Mario Bava (Blood and Black Lace), Planet of the Vampires is widely regarded as one of the most influential genre films ever made, with a clear influence on films such as Alien and Pitch Black. With a uniquely chilly atmosphere and fantastic production design that belies its low budget origins, Planet of the Vampires is a true genre classic.

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

• 4K scan of the film from the original negative under the supervision of Lamberto Bava and carried out at Fotocinema in Rome in collaboration with CSC Cineteca Nazionale
• High-Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Italian (90 mins) and English (88 mins) versions of the film
• Uncompressed mono audio
• Alternate Kendall Schmidt score
• Archival audio commentary by Tim Lucas, author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark (2014)
• Transmissions from a Haunted World - A new documentary which explores Planet of the Vampires, Mario Bava and the connection between gothic and science fiction. Co-directed by Dima Ballin and Kat Ellinger; featuring interviews with Guy Adams, Xavier Aldana Reyes, Alexandra Benedict, Johnny Mains and John Llewellyn Probert (2024, 41mins)
• Archival interview with Lamberto Bava (2022, 13 mins)
• Super 8 Version - a reconstruction of the cut-down version distributed as Planet der Vampire (17 mins)
• Joe Dante and Josh Olsen trailer commentaries - the filmmakers provide a short overview of the film (2013)
• Trailers
• Press and image gallery from the Tim Lucas / Alan Y. Upchurch collection
• Optional English subtitles for Italian audio and English SDH for English audio
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
• Limited edition 80-page book featuring new writing by Kyle Anderson, Martyn Conterio, Barry Forshaw, George Daniel Lea and Jerome Reuter plus archival materials
• Limited edition 20-page booklet featuring a new translation of Renato Pestriniero’s original short story
• A collection of six exclusive postcards featuring promotional material
• Limited edition of 5000 copies, presented in rigid box and full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

[Hammerlover]

Nice, but a shame we didn't get a 4K.

[Mose Harper]

Not a popular sentiment, but I'm quite satisfied with a competent 1080p from a superior master.

I just wonder if the jacket art here augers a piss-yellow and cyan heavy grade for this new scan?

[BDBert]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

Nice, but a shame we didn't get a 4K.

Source is 2K:

https://twitter.com/FilmsRadiance/st...11164975272278

Restored in 2K from a 4K scan supervised by Lamberto Bava and supported by Nicolas Winding Refn both Italian and English versions are included in this new edition

https://twitter.com/pansexualflower/...20854463500747

if it was restored in 2K, does that mean the German 4K release isn’t actually 4K quality?

https://twitter.com/FilmsRadiance/st...26970966643022

They did some impressive additional work on it but the source is 2K

[drush9999]

The runtime of the English version is the same as the hybrid version which integrates non dialogue Italian footage back to the real English version.

[Stephen C. Horne]

Originally Posted by Mose Harper

I just wonder if the jacket art here augers a piss-yellow and cyan heavy grade for this new scan?

Nope

[RossyG]

How come one of the postcards has the same artwork used on 1987’s Creepozoids?

[OnlyJapantown]

This entire movie is on YouTube for those who might be interested (the English dub). I wasn't at all a fan, unfortunately. Felt very long for a 90-minute movie, with not enough plot for me to get invested.

[oddbox83]

Thanks for the posts discussing it being a 2K master from a 4K scan. I can buy this without feeling I’m missing out.

[GasmaskAvenger]

Need this something fierce and will happily junk my Kino blu.

[DrEricVornoff]

Originally Posted by Mose Harper

Not a popular sentiment, but I'm quite satisfied with a competent 1080p from a superior master.

I just wonder if the jacket art here augers a piss-yellow and cyan heavy grade for this new scan?

I’m with you Mose…

I have both Kino releases “Frankenstein’d” into one double case (the earlier scan with a much brighter palette & the more recent, darker, yet more robust scan) and unless we actually get a proper 4K UHD release (notwithstanding the German one)… I think I am happy with that.

$40 shipped is a lot for what is in essence premium packaging and a longer Italian language cut which supposedly adds little to the plot & feel of the film.

This is one of my top 5 favorite Bava films… and it’s also the film that introduced me to Bava years back… but there’s too many other great releases coming up for me to triple dip on this.

[Mose Harper]

Double dips are becoming increasingly frustrating for me.
And triple dips are almost always out of the question.

This will be one of the few exceptions for me, because it sounds like the release I was hoping the re-issued Kino would have been. That latter was a net bump up, and I don't regret the double dip there.
This one, however, looks like it will be closer to a definitive release for me.
Other people need 4K and HDR for that consideration. I don't.

But I hear what you're saying. Last year the double and triple dips were really plucking my nerves.

[Lord Kun]

A bit unhappy as I've buyed the Kino version a month ago... but it really seems as the new definitive edition of an essential movie for me.
A question that for me is of utmost importance: are there subtitles included?
I see no mention of it, neither here nor on Radiance site.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by BDBert

Source is 2K:

https://twitter.com/FilmsRadiance/st...11164975272278

https://twitter.com/pansexualflower/...20854463500747

https://twitter.com/FilmsRadiance/st...26970966643022

It’s great to see my tweets quoted and coming in useful in determining which release to go for (the Radiance!)

My only complaint is the lack of Planet Bava with English subtitles but I’m sure the new documentary will more than make up for it.

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Thanks for the posts discussing it being a 2K master from a 4K scan. I can buy this without feeling I’m missing out.

I’m still planning to get the Radiance of Hichcock instead of spending 3 times as much on the VS release.

[Moonlight Shadow]

The german 4K disc looks magnificent...just saying...
It is region B locked though.

[GenPion]

I loved the Kino release so I’m curious how this edition will compare. I thought the film was incredible so this will be worth it just for the supplemental material and book - it became an instant favorite of mine - but I’m interested in comparing the transfer.

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

My only complaint is the lack of Planet Bava with English subtitles but I’m sure the new documentary will more than make up for it.

What’s Planet Bava?

[UnionJackMix]

I am very much looking forward to this, I never heard of it and I think hasn't aired on Italian tv in forever, if at all actually.
The listing on Radiance's own website is not loading, just me?

[Ben_R]

Originally Posted by GenPion

I loved the Kino release so I’m curious how this edition will compare. I thought the film was incredible so this will be worth it just for the supplemental material and book - it became an instant favorite of mine - but I’m interested in comparing the transfer.

This will curb stomp the Kino release. Guaranteed. Better compression and a 4K scan of the ON. It’s a no brainer

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by Moonlight Shadow

The german 4K disc looks magnificent...just saying...
It is region B locked though.

Maybe this will look magnificent in 1080p SDR.