Shiver of the Vampires

If you are unfamiliar with the cinema of Jean Rollin, he made erotic, gothic, atmospheric films. If nudity is not your cup of tea, don't watch his films. You won't get it. Jean Rollin was making films in the 1970's, when film makers where pushing the limits of what they could put on screen. Whether it was nudity, sex or violence. And Jean Rollin used all of them to great effect with his french gothic style to make some of the most unforgettable imagery you will ever see. In Jean Rollin's fantastic film from 1970 The Shiver Of The Vampires, this is most true.(This is the 2nd film in a sort of Trilogy. 1: The Rape Of The Vampires (1968) 2: The Shiver Of The Vampires (1970) and 3: Requiem For A Vampire (1971))Jean Rollin had a rather sphycadelic and comedic side, and The Shiver Of The Vampires is possibly the most psychedelic and comedic (intentionally so) of all his films. You can find plenty of other reviewers commenting on the story and what not. But I wanted to comment on this Blu-ray release. (Though I did add a detailed plot at the end of this review.)I'm so insanely happy that Redemption has released these films that otherwise might have been thrown in the dark and never seen again, so that a new generation of film fans can see the works of genius Jean Rollin. Transferd from a beautiful 35mm print of the film, it looks better than one can imagine. It has some scratches thru out the film, which I love! It adds so much and makes you feel like you're setting in the theater in 1970! The audio sounds beautiful, especially the eerie sound effects in the night scenes! The menu is beautiful with the super cool psychedelic music from the film.It has the original french trailers for this film along with The Nude Vampire (1970) The Iron Rose (1973) Lips Of Blood (1975) and Fascination (1979) Plus the original US trailer for The Shiver Of The Vampires ALL IN HD!!! This is my first blu-ray in the "Cinema of Jean Rollin" collection. The case has the number "2" on the bottom of the side that shows when it's on a shelf. So part of the fun will be buying the rest of the collection and finding the rest of the numbers in the it! This is the first Jean Rollin film I ever saw, it was on Epix Drive-In a while ago. I have now seen most of his films and love them all, but this one holds on one of my favorites. A good start if you have never seen a Jean Rollin film before. Fascination and Lips Of Blood are also vary good starters.A trend I see among many reviews of Jean Rollin's films on here are people saying "not a family movie." I suggest you look a little into a movie before you throw it up on the TV for grandma and the kids to see. The trailer for most of Jean Rollin's films are on YouTube. Though I must say as a word of warning, these movies are basically rated x. No one under 17 admitted.That in mind, The cinema of Jean Rollin is exquisite, unique and beautiful to look at. And The Shiver Of The Vampires is, in my opinion, one of his best.I did not write this, but if you are interested here is the plot in detail (some spoilers): "Two newlyweds, Isle and Antoine, are on their honeymoon, on their way to visit Isle's two cousins. When they arrive in the town they discover that her cousins died the day before. Isle and Antoine go to the chateau where they lived anyway. Once there they are greeted by two female Renfields who show them to a room.Isle goes to the cemetery to visit the graves of her cousins, and a woman named Isabelle tells Isle that she was about to get married to both of her cousins, but in a way she was already their brides. Isle decides to sleep alone on that night because she is upset. While getting ready for bed a woman emerges from the grandfather clock. She introduces herself as Isolde and takes Isle back to the cemetery where she bites Isle in the neck. Antoine, feeling lonely, goes to see Isle, but she isn't in her room. He searches the castle and comes to the chapel where it seems a human sacrifice is taking place. Two of the participants turn out to be Isle's cousins and explain they must kill the woman or she will become like them — vampires. Antoine goes back to find Isle in her room and isn't sure whether it was all a dream.The next morning at breakfast the Renfields tell Isle and Antoine that her cousins aren't really dead. Antoine goes to the library to meet the cousins but is instead knocked out by books. When he comes to, Antoine goes back to the dining room where he finally meets the cousins. That night Isle decided to sleep alone again, leaving Antoine angry. Isolde returns to Isle and bites her in the neck again. Isabelle tells a friend that Isle's cousins were once vampire slayers and were bitten by vampires. Isabelle later discovers that the cousins are still alive and under Isolde's control and Isolde tells her she is no longer welcome at the castle. She grabs Isabelle and pierces her breasts with her pointed nipple covers. Angry at her for doing this the cousins rape Isolde.That night the Renfields wake Antoine and take him to the chapel where a ceremony is about to take place that involves Isle, Isolde, the Renfields and the cousins. Antoine breaks open the door to discover they have all disappeared. Not sure whether this was also a dream, he runs to Isle's room to tell her they must escape. She tells him no and that her cousins are the only family she has left, so Antoine decides to sleep on the couch in her room. The next morning Isle cries out that the sunlight hurts her eyes when Antoine opens the curtains. That night is Isle's initiation when she will be given the final kiss and made a vampire. Antoine tries to break it up by taking Isle away. The cousins follow them to a beach. Isolde tries to get into her coffin but finds it on fire. The Renfields put a cross on the tomb door, sealing Isolde inside, so Isolde bites her wrist and dies. Antoine begs Isle to go with him but she stays with her cousins as they await the sunrise."

One of Jean Rollin's best even though I lean more towards Requiem in the films of his I've seen so far. A majority of the reviews are from people who are either xenophobic when it comes to language in media or just don't get it because their taste is too blockbuster mainstream. If you're into art films and don't mind loose plots, you will probably enjoy this, especially if you're fond of (lesbian) vampires and psychedelic music.

Probably the worst movie I ever saw, pitiful acting the director I wouldn’t let him direct traffic. The acting again stupid beyond stupid. Lame plot lame on being scary lame on sexuality lame on being or seeing anything resembles vampires lame nude scenes lame on lesbian scenes, over all LAME

I've seen many of Rollin's films, and this ranks up there as one of the most entertaining, and well-made. Gorgeous sets, beautiful lighting, and of course uber-hot women getting naked for most of the film. The story and dialogue are almost superfluous in a Rollin film, as it's the mood, and imagery that carry the weight. Having said that, i found this to be one of the better plots, and i was surprised t how much i enjoyed the soundtrack- it really added to the film.

If you've never seen a Jean Rollin film this is as good a place as any to start. His films are no doubt an aquired taste. Story is not important. Mood, composition and style is what a jean Rollin film is all about. This is one of my favorite Rollin films and if you want to wet your beak I suggest this one or Lips of Blood. Be warned! There are many people who absolutely HATE these films. I find them hypnotic and moody.For those of you who have seen the film and are wondering if this Blu-ray edition is worth dropping $20.00: YES! For one thing you get the English dub, which I had never heard before. It's quite different from the French version, and almost turns it into a film you've never seen before. When it comes to foreign films I usually like to watch it with the original language soundtrack with English subtitles. But, I always get annoyed because no matter how fast you can read, you have to take your eyes off of the actors/action even if it's just for 2 seconds. Now you can watch in French or in English. Secondly the film has never looked this good. It isn't perfect. The original 35mm negatives had scratches on them and it appears that a great effort was done to remove them, but there are times when they couldn't get them all, especially (I'm guessing) at the beginning of each new real. Colors are much more vivid on this edition than on any other version I've seen. The film looks very good on a 16x9 T.V. I have the last dvd release and it wasn't even enhanced for 16x9, so finally we get to see the film fill the screen without being stretched or cropped.So, for the Rollin fan this is worth picking up. If you are curious about Jean Rollin, give it a try, but know that this is NOT anything like a modern American vampire film, or even like a 70's American vampire film, or even a 50's/60's Hammer vampire film. Rollin is truly one of a kind, and that's one thing, like him or not, we can all agree on!

If you love B movies, this ones for you! Unpretentious fun. And best of all, like all of these the cinematography is really quite good.

Einer der schönsten und elegantesten Vampirfilme aller Zeiten! Ein absolutes MUSS! Tolle Edition mit vielen Extras.

Un horror bizzarro e surreale, a volte con tratti umoristici ma più spesso con atmosfere veramente angosciose.Ci sono due vampiri un po' hippy (non dimentichiamo che il film è del '71) ma pericolosi per davvero.Non si può definire un capolavoro, anche perché il ritmo a volte è un po' lento, ma è un film da tenere in considerazione.

What i expected

Just finished watching this Blu-ray and it was a little weird in between but overall another well done Jean Rollin film.

Kinky fun