Customer Reviews

Kindred the Embraced - The Complete Vampire Collection [VHS]

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I was totally blown away by this video! Other vampire shows such as Dark Shadows, Forever Knight and Buffy :) pale in comparison. The storyline was very creative and the actors very convincing (remember the actor who played Eddie Fiore? He also appeared as a bloodsucker in Fright Night 2, the one who kept on eating insects ala Renfield). I'm unfamiliar with the rpg but I thought that the theme was a very unique mix of vampire mythology intertwined in a mafia/Godfather-like setting. Cool clothes, too!

This is a must-have for all vampire mythos fans especially the goth-types. It is truly a shame that this series was abrubtly discontinued; it would have been interesting to see hw the other characters would be further developed (e.g. other clans, Romeo & Juliet-like relationships between Bruja and Gangrel, C Thomas Howell's relationship with his now-exposed Kindred partner, etc) I fervently hope that they eventually release this in DVD (with trailers/featurettes/etc) and/or they revive it eventually.

This set includes an episode entitled "Nightstalker" about a vampiric serial killer which never aired. Set begins with the first episode (where Alexandra elicits a promise from Julian to protect her human lover) and ends with the final episode where the new Bruja takes over the deceased Eddie's role.

When Kindred: the Embraced appeared a few years ago on Fox I thought it was a great show with a lot of potential(not familiar with rpg that it is based on). Sadly, when Mark Frankel was tragically killed in an accident there was no hope of the series ever reaching its true potential. However, this video pack of 8 episodes(well actually 9 hrs worth because the pilot is a double episode) lets the fans of the show remember it fondly. The quality of the videos is actually really good and there is very little space between where the commerials would have been placed(unlike some other TV show videos).

The breakdown of the shows goes something like this: Tape 1: Original saga(pilot)-probably the worst episode in the pack, but necessary for background info. The tape gets better with Prince of the City. Tape 2 has the unaired episode Nighstalker(not bad, but not the best), the very good Romeo & Juliet with a plot twist, Live hard, die young...(pretty good episode with a few emotional scenes between characters). Tape 3 is the best tape with the action-packed Rise & fall of Eddie Fiore, Bad moon rising is also a decent episode, and of course Cabin in the Woods(the finale) which is by far the best(it wraps up some plots, but others were left open).

Mark Frankel was wonderful as Julian Luna and had some of the best lines like "we're all around you" and "you exist because I allow it". The supporting cast for the most part is pretty good with the weaker characters being Frank and Alexandra in the pilot. For the most part these are a great collection of modern vampire shows. Do not go into it expecting Buffy or Dark Shadows. These are a very modern vampire story with shades of the Godfather in it. Kindred might not have had the absolute genius of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but it was still a very good and original show(and paved the way for shows like Buffy and Angel). If you were a fan of the show at all or just like vampire stories buy this set. You won't be disappointed.

I am a big fan of the vampire myth and I must say that I am a BIG fan of Kindred: The Embraced! This series sheds some awesome light on the world of the vampire (or KINDRED as they are called in the series) by deviding vampires into clans with distinct cultural and social differences. The casting in these films is superb! Mark Frankel and Patrick Bauchau turn in awesome performances as the Prince (Julian Luna) and his sire and confidant (Archon Raine). I recommend this series to anyone who loves the vampire myth and wants to see it in a different (and wonderful) light!!

Anyone who loves vampiric myths must not go without watching this series. Though the series was short lived, I must say that it was extremely well done, down to the casting, and character creations. What amazed me the most, was the special effects and makeup given to powerfully portray the world of Vampire:The Masquerade. Mark Frankel's performance of Prince Julian Luna is astounding and as fascinating as the character himself.If you want a completely new insight into the world of vampires, then this is the series to watch!

Oringinally I watched and taped the program as originally aired on T.V. because I was already interested in all things mystical. I found that I really enjoyed the show. Very disappointed when it was cancelled after only eight episodes. When it came out on video I bought it and finally now own the dvd collection.

I kept hoping that they would ressurrect the show, until I read that Mark Frankel had died. I loved his portrayal as Julian Luna and I had thought that he along with Channon Roe (Cash) were hot.

Glad that I still have the collection to sit and enjoy.

It's such a disappointment to see that this series lost it's star. The first episode is a tad over the top (Alexandra in particular), but the other episodes were great.

I haven't seen all the episodes until reccently because how much I hated the first episode, not to mention that I thought the Canadian series, Forever Knight was much better. However, the two series both give a lot to vampire fans. The technology in this series was amazing and I to my suprise I like it much more than the reccent vampire shows I've seen lately.

Erotic, suspensful, and intrieging. One of the best vampire selections I've made so far. Unfortunatly it left me wanting more. The cast, makeup, and detail about the vampire lifestyle is incredible! You will not regret purchasing this one for your collection I sure don't.

...the other was the celtic Fantasy ROAR! Anyway, I am a fan of the RPG that this is based on, and I was amazed of how much actually translated into the series! What a terrible shame this was cancelled it had AMAZING possiblities, it just scratched the surface of the "Masquerade" game. If you like Vampires or just compelling drama you will like this - great art direction, costumes and characters set in gorgeous San Francisco. My only complaint is the Vampires seem to be able to stand the sun a little TOO much - oh well, they DO explain this! Mark Frankel would be hard to replace as Julian though. Anyway this is a series I am glad to be able to revisit on video - I recommend it. I think if Mark Rein Hagen the producer had been allowed to continue this it would be a true classic. A set you will want to watch more than once - I do!

I am a huge fan this series, and watched everything ever produced with Mark Frankel, I had a terrible crush on him, thought he played his role so well. He was vampire/godfather/ hunk in one. Now I know why Mark hasn't starred in anything else, as I keep seeing his co-stars in other works and could not understand why I never saw Mark in anything. I am so distressed. I have not seen these videos, but am buying them now, but as I said I have watched all the shows in the series and they kept you intrigued, as in other reviews it was the stepping stone for shows like Buffy and Angel which I am now a huge fan of. The series was really good, I will treasure these videos and I will truly miss Mark. He just had a way about him that made you want to just crab him at one moment, scream the next. His co-stars are in other shows, like Pretender, Baucau is in that one. He is a good actor, that slow methodical way he talks, reminds me of when he was in the Kindred. You won't be sorry you purchased these videos they are worth it.I know I will watch them again and again and now that I know about his tragic death a little sadness will be intwined. Mark you are missed, big time.

I can remember watching this series when it aired to tv. I was really looking foward to the next season until I found out that the lead in the series was killed in a motorcycle accident. After hearing the news, all i could think about was trying to get copies of the show because I liked it so much. I hope it comes out on DVD as well, because i will certainly purchase that.