Dreyer's "Vampyr" Coming to Criterion DVD in July

Fri, 2008-04-18 10:19 by Nate Yapp
Vampyr Criterion Collection

Criterion Collection has announced the upcoming release of a two-disc special edition of Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1932 undead opus Vampyr. The film itself will be presented in its original 1.19:1 aspect ratio (pillarboxed) from a new, restored high-definition transfer of the 1998 restoration done by Martin Koerber and the Cineteca di Bologna. An English-text version of the film will be an option, but purists will still be able to watch it with the original German. Additionally, the English subtitles have been retranslated and improved from past releases of the film. Other features will include:

  • Audio commentary by film scholar Tony Rayns (Sight & Sound magazine).
  • A 1966 documentary about Dreyer by Jörgen Roos.
  • A visual essay by Danish silent film scholar Casper Tyjberg that explores Dreyer's influences in the making of Vampyr.
  • A 1958 radio broadcast of Dreyer reading an essay about filmmaking.
  • A booklet featuring new essays by Mark Le Fanu, Kim Newman and Martin Koerber, as well as an archival interview of Vampyr producer and star Nicolas de Gunzburg.
  • A book containing the original Vampyr screenplay by Dreyer and Christen Jul, as well as the full text of "Carmilla," the Sheridan Le Fanu story that inspired the film.

Vampyr, bearing the Criterion spine number 437, will be available July 22, 2008 for a suggested retail price of $39.95.

Thanks to the fine folks at the Classic Horror Film Board for the heads-up.

source: 
The Criterion Collection
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Comments

Neil Snowdon (not verified)
Posted: Tue, 2008-05-13 10:23 - Vampyr also from Masters Of Cinema
Hi there, Masters Of Cinema in the UK are also putting out a new Vampyr disc, in August, but with a few exclusives that are very tmepting, primarily a commentary track from Guillermo Del Toro.


MoC specs:

New, high-definition transfer of the Martin Koerber / Cineteca di
Bologna film restoration in its original aspect ratio (1.19:1)
- New and improved English subtitle translation
- Full-length audio commentary featuring film scholar Tony Rayns
- Full-length audio commentary featuring Oscar-winning director
Guillermo del Toro talking about one of his favourite films.
- Two deleted scenes, removed by the German censor in 1932.
- Carl Th. Dreyer (1966) a documentary by Jörgen Roos
- Visual essay by scholar Casper Tybjerg on Dreyer's Vampyr influences
- The Baron, a short MoC documentary about Baron Nicolas de Gunzberg
- Inspiration for the film - Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla - as an on-disc pdf.
- 80-page book featuring rare production stills, a facsimile
reproduction of the 1932 Danish film programme, writing by Tom Milne
(The Cinema of Carl Dreyer), Jean and Dale Drum (My Only Great
Passion: The Life and Films of Carl Th. Dreyer), and Martin Koerber
(film restorer).

And, for the sake of comparison, here's a rundown of MoC vs. Criterion:

Shared features (both MOC + Criterion):
- Full-length audio commentary featuring film scholar Tony Rayns
- Carl Th. Dreyer (1966) a documentary by Jörgen Roos
-Visual essay by scholar Casper Tybjerg on Dreyer's Vampyr influences

Criterion-exclusive:
• A 1958 radio broadcast of Dreyer reading an essay about filmmaking
• A booklet featuring new essays by Mark Le Fanu and Kim Newman,
Martin Koerber on the restoration, and an archival interview with
producer and star Nicolas de Gunzburg, as well as a book featuring
Dreyer and Christen Jul's original screenplay and Sheridan Le Fanu
1871 story "Carmilla," a source for the film.

MOC-exclusive:
- Full-length audio commentary featuring Oscar-winning director
Guillermo del Toro talking about one of his favourite films.
- Two deleted scenes, removed by the German censor in 1932.
- The Baron, a short MoC documentary about Baron Nicolas de Gunzberg
- Inspiration for the film - Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla - as an on-disc pdf.
- 80-page book featuring rare production stills, a facsimile
reproduction of the 1932 Danish film programme, writing by Tom Milne
(The Cinema of Carl Dreyer), Jean and Dale Drum (My Only Great
Passion: The Life and Films of Carl Th. Dreyer), and Martin Koerber
(film restorer).

This news has me very excited. Thought I'd share...

All the best,
Neil Snowdon
Nate Yapp
Nate Yapp's picture
Posted: Tue, 2008-05-13 10:33 - Thanks for the heads-up,

Thanks for the heads-up, Neil. Our UK readers are, I'm certain, grateful for the news!

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