Customer Reviews

El Vampiro (The Vampire) & El Ataud del Vampiro (The Vampire's Coffin) - (Two-Disc Special Edition)

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Like other reviewers here, I was raised on the classic Universal monsters, as well as the more colorful offerings of Hammer Films from the 50's to the 70's. So it was with great delight I discovered this pair of Mexican horror films.

El Vampiro was clearly inspired by Universal's Dracula, although it is in almost every way a superior production. German Robles as Count Luvad is quite a commanding figure, and compares favorably with Christopher Lee in Hammer's HORROR OF DRACULA (released the year after El Vampiro). The film is set primarily in a crumbling hacienda, effectively punctuated with swirling mists and cobwebs. Throw in an eerie and occasionally surprising music score and some primitive but effective special effects, and you've got a real winner.

El Ataud Del Vampiro (The Vampire's Coffin), released the following year, picks up where its predecessor ended. Most of the cast and crew returned, as the resurrected Luvad stalks the first film's heroine (the lovely Ariadne Welter), intent on making her his bride. Producer Abel Salazar encores as the nominal leading man, Dr. Enrique. Although most viewers seem to feel the film is not nearly as good as El Vampiro, I have to disagree. The finale in a theatre, in which Luvad frustrates Enrique by constantly changing form, is particularly exciting.

In addition to pristine prints of the two films, there is an informative if amaterish audio commentary on El Vampiro by author Robert Cotter. Both films offer a choice of original Spanish language (with optional English subtitles) or English dubbing. The Spanish track is far superior, as the English dubbing is not only often inaccurate, but spoils the suspension of disbelief necessary to this type of film. There are also extensive promotional materials, and a colorful "Casa Negra Loteria Game Card."

I admit, this was my first Casa Negra DVD, and my first real exposure to Mexican horror cinema. I can hardly wait to discover other such treasures! Meanwhile, THE VAMPIRE COLLECTION is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys atmospheric horror.

Being a big fan of many of the ABSA Horror productions from Mexico words can't describe how happy I am to see The Vampire, known as El Vampiro in it's native Mexico, restored and finally released on DVD, and along with it's sequel! El Vampiro is arguably the greatest horror film from south of the border and certainly deserves to be credited along side many of the great classics of the era such as Black Sunday, Blood of Dracula, Flesh & The Fiends, etc.. and the fact this film was made years before those greats is a testament to how influential and under-rated the Mexi Horror Film Wave of the 50's and 60s really is. Director Fernando Mendez proves with The Vampire that he, along with DP Rosalío Solano were in many ways masters of the craft. A must see for anyone who loves great atmospheric horror and has yet to experience the unique, heavily stylish work of the classic Mexican Horror movie makers.

This film deserves the nice treatment. This can be said about many other great many films from Mexico that have yet to see the light of day on DVD, but the Vampire is a real standout of the genre. Well filmed and acted with fantastic art direction and sets. The funeral procession scene alone qualifies as one of the most eerie yet beautiful moments in all of Horror.

Anyone who knows about these films in the USA credits K. Gordon Murray, which has always bugged me a bit. How about crediting the makers of the films!? While Murray should be credited for bringing the films to the USA in the 60s, it's hard for me to credit him with much more. His dubbed tracks, while accurate, brought a very high level of camp, perhaps even unintentional comedy, to otherwise great films. For this reason, I highly recommend watching the films in their original language with the subs on. I suspect that the fact these are subtitled for the first time ever, horror film buffs will finally have a chance to see how much more convincing the films are in Spanish. Viva El Vampiro!

More good stuff from CasaNegra, this 2-disc set contains "El Vampiro" & it's sequel "El Ataud del Vampiro" featuring the Mexican vampire Count Lucad who wrecks havoc seeking blood and the heroine (Ariadne Welter) in both. In fact, both films feature the same leads: Welter, German Robles as the Count and the producer Abel Salazar as the hero. Both are done in dreamy, shadowy b&w and the prints are excellent. There's some minor scratching in "El Vampiro" but nothing to distract. Robles is excellent as the Count and both films are well directed by Fernando Mendez who obviously left his mark on international horror cinema with these films. As did Abel Salazar who's featured in almost all of CasaNegra's choice's of films. His gift for acting is particularly notable in "El Ataud del Vampiro" as a man perplexed at the possibility that vampires do exist and forced to confront his rationale and his fear. All films brought to DVD should be done this well and, as usual per CasaNegra, the discs are filled with good extras and commentaries. For vampire lovers the world over, for those who love b&w horror films, for those who love international horror and especially those who love Mexican Gothic---this set is highly, highly recommended. Enjoy.

i am greatful for casanegra release of these wonderfully made films
from mexico. i have never seen them before. they are wonderful.
i hope they release some of the nostradamas vampire films as well
starring german robles.

It is definitely the equivalent of Gothic eye candy to finally have "El Vampiro" and even "El Ataud Del Vampiro" finally released together on DVD. I remember seeing stills and photographs of "El Vampiro" in various books and on websites, and these simply whet my appetite to see this Mexican cult classic.

Now, in finally viewing the film, it truly delivers on what those stills and photos promised; wonderfully eerie and atmospheric black and white cinematography, with some ominous fog beautifully embracing all that it hovers over. What's also significant is that this film, though Mexican, can be seen as a bridge between the classic Universal horrors and the soon to come, Technicolor, blood dripping Hammer Horror remakes of the Dracula and Frankenstein monsters. For instance, this Count has taken lessons from the Deane/Balderston school of vampires in being well groomed and suave, and can easily mingle with society; this is the type of vampire immortalized by Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula. However, when preying on victims, the Count tosses aside such surface civility and, with mouth wide open, proudly displays his large incisors when going in for the bite. This is a shadow of the more raw and animalistic portrayal of Dracula from Christopher Lee (who was influenced by Roble's portrayal).

The film concerns a young girl, named Marta, returning to her home in the Sierra Negra, or Black Sierra Mountains after one of her Aunts has been said to pass away. The funeral procession itself is a creepy visual highlight as all present pass through the old church with a mournful bell in the background, and then on through the ominous and fog drenched forest to where she is entombed in the family crypt. At the same time, Marta, accompanied by Dr. Enrique (Abel Salazar) enter the town through the same fog shrouded forest with the sense that they're being followed. She returns home and all does not seem as it was. From here, secrets within the family grow, haunting singing is heard throughout the hacienda, and (Marta begins seeing "visions" of her just buried Aunt.) Also, there's something strange about Marta's other Aunt who is consistently dressed all in black for starters, and has strangely not aged since Marta last saw her as a young girl. And, all in her household seem to be in the grip of an eerie nobleman who visits from time to time and may have his own designs on everyone. To add to the chilling and foreboding atmosphere, there is a night stalker preying on victims, coming out of the fog to attack them on the road, or in their bedrooms as they sleep. Could it all be related?

As the vampire, Count Lavud, German Robles is an excellent combination of suavity in evening clothes iconized by Bela Lugosi in Dracula and to be associated as the classic image of the vampire for a long time. However, he balances that well with the remorseless psychopathic killer baring a pair of some of the largest incisors in vampire film history. He was beaten out recently in the movie adaptation of Stephen King's "The Night Flyer" amongst others. German Robles is supported by a good ensemble cast with the film's producer, Abel Serrera, as the doctor/hero of the film, as well as the heroine, Marta, portrayed nicely by Ariadna Welter. Yes, some of the effects are silly, but retain a childlike sense of wonder in their simplicity of execution.

In the sequel, "El Ataud Del Vampiro," while bringing back some of the main characters from the prior movie, there is simply not the same amount of atmosphere that the first one held, as much of it takes place in a dull hospital setting. From there, the film moves into more modern surroundings, while including a wax museum which doesn't seem to fit the flow of the piece. It all seems forcefully pasted together and goes by the numbers save for a few moody sequences that take place during the beginning with grave robbers attempting to break in and steal the Vampire's corpse for the purposes of medical study.

Though the second film is somewhat tepid, German Robles competently carries it along, with Abel Salazar returning as the well-meaning doctor, and all involved give decent performances. Both films were produced by Abel Salazar, and both were directed by Fernando Mendez. It is truly a treat to have both films with commentary by Mexican film buff author, Robert Cotter, included amongst other items of interest in one DVD.

Excellent set of two DVD. This is our original Mexican vampire from 50 years ago !. The main actor, the Spanish Germán Robles is still alive.
Don't miss this classic horror Mexican film is a treasure that shows special effects of that time and not as modern as the new releases. I hope you will enjoy it.

Great sets, creepy atmosphere, superb cinematogpaphy, and a serious tone are some of the reasons for monster fans to check out ALL of the CasaNegra films.

On the down side, the english dubbing on this title is lacking in both charater match and translation. I am not sure why the dubbers injected their own 'creative translation' into the original dialouge. It is always either vague in reference or totally different than the spanish scripted dialouge totally lessening the effect of the script. Don't be surprised when even whole phrases are omitted from the english dubbing altogether. After viewing The Man and the Monster(recommended!)and it's meticulously dubbed english version that is currently available on DVD, it really makes you wonder what happened with El Vampiro...

Overall, this is highly recommended and definately worth a purchase for those who have exhausted the Universal and Hammer monster cannon and are looking for more 'monster fix'. It is also recommended for those who want to see just how superior the Mexican horror efforts were than the US horror efforts from this same time period. To see what I mean, compare this film to the weaker John Beals US film titled The Vampire also released in 1957 - currently available only on 'collectors' DVD-r.

The sets and cinematography in this film are outstanding for 50's horror and were most certainly influenced by the look and feel of the classic Universal horror films of the 30's. Definately worthwhile!!

Right off the bat, let me say this is a great DVD set and belongs in the collection of any serious gothic horror fan. Of course, most people will be buying for El Vampiro, a sub-Bava-esque title with heaps of atmosphere but with variable pacing and a weak to non-existent plot.

El Vampiro is a film whose reputation has grown in recent decades as fans, who've bought all the Universal and Hammer discs, go searching less familiar territories for their next fix of classic horror. Unfortunately, the re-discovery of this movie and its display of fangs has led to the creation of a myth, repeated on the disc's commentary, that this movie influenced Hammer's 1958 Horror Of Dracula. This is not true. El Vampiro was released in October 1957. Jimmy Sangster began writing Hammer's script in late June 1957 and Horror Of Dracula began shooting 11 November 1957 (after pre-production, make-up and character design was already complete). El Vampiro never had a UK release -- it wasn't certificated by the British censor until a 2002 video release. On top of which all the key people behind Hammer's films consciously avoided watching any Universal Frankenstein and Dracula pictures before making their own, to avoid being influenced. So the idea that they would have gone out of their way to find an, at the time, obscure South American picture to preview is just nonsense. Sure, El Vampiro was first out the gate but precedence does not equal influence.

In fact, my sole complaint with this disc is the commentary which was poorly recorded, lacking almost any actual production information, and delivered in a very flat, monotonous style which actually sent me to sleep. And what gives with the vowels? Is it ABSA or OBSA? El Santo or El Sonto?

If you're a broad-minded devotee of classic horror, give this set a go. But don't waste your time with the commentary.

I first viewed both films as a pre=teen on a Local Phildelphia horror movie program called "Dr. Shock." It was a classic 60's wrap around show. As a young man I found the erotic subtext very evocative and was anxious to see them again. While I have since seen more erotic versions of the vampire myth brought to film I still enjoyed both films.
With a Spanish language and English language audio track I got twice the value. the transfer to DVD is good and if I watch it in the dark I still get the feeling of all those years ago. The extras were fine but not outstanding but with all those years since they were filmed I know it would be difficult to mount a more varied selection.
If you are a fan of the genra and the decade they came from you should do yourself the favor of purchasing this two disk set.