DVD Corner's blog

Mark Of The Vampire Blu-ray Review

“Mark Of The Vampire” is fiendishly clever. 

Directed by Tod Browning (best known for helming “Dracula” and “Freaks”), 1935’s “Mark Of The Vampire” revolves around the murder of Sir Karell. Locals (including a Doctor) believe vampires are responsible, but a Police Inspector and a vampire export Professor are called in to investigate. Are there really vampires or is someone or something else responsible for the murder? And how does Karell’s daughter Irena play into all of this? All is revealed in the end.

It is exceedingly difficult to review “Mark Of The Vampire” without delving into spoilers because the movie is not what it seems. Over the course of the 60 minute runtime (those were the days), writers Guy Endore and Bernard Schubert pull a proto M. Night Shyalaman on the viewers (but in a good way). It’s sort of like watching two movies in one. There’s a creepy and atmospheric horror movie filled with exquisite sets and production design and some genuinely chilling moments with Count Mora and his daughter Luna and there’s the movie at the end which is more of a twisty mystery. Is it elaborate and far fetched? Perhaps, but this overlooked was ahead of its time and turned horror conventions on its head.

Cast wise, it’s always great to see Bela Lugosi as a vampire again but this time he’s an equally unnerving vampire Luna played by Carroll Borland. The two Lionels Lionel Barrymore (as Professor Zelen) and Lionel Atwill (Inspector Neumann) both class up the picture too.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? This is a glorious transfer of this B&W classic. Warner Archive knocks it out of the park again.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The audio is a little snowy and there are crackles but it’s a solid track considering 

Extras include an MGM short titled “A Thrill For Thelma,” an MGM Cartoon (“The Calico Dragon,” a theatrical trailer and a commentary by Kim Newman and Stephen Jones

“Mark Of The Vampire” is available on The Warner Archive Amazon store and other online media retailers.

October 22, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Bela Lugosi, Mark Of The Vampire Blu-ray Review, Tod Browning, Vampires