The Vampire Collection (1957-1958)

Masterfully crafted, brilliantly atmospheric and as powerfully chilling as the day they were released, these Gothic tales of undead, bloodthirsty Count Karol de Lavud (German Robles) upped the impact of Hollywood horror and set the template for countless fright-films for years to come - made both in Mexico and the world over.

Described as "Dracula on a hacienda," El Vampiro chronicles the journey of young Marta (Ariadna Welter) who learns that her family is under the demonic control of Count Luvad (German Robles). As he feeds on the blood of the locals and aims to raise his brother from the dead, Marta and the mysterious Dr. Enrique (Abel Salazar) threaten the Count. The wrath of El Vampiro then reigns down upon them, and an all-time horror classic plays out with unforgettable eeriness and excitement.

Special Features:
- Original Uncut Versions
- Both Films Completely Re-Mastered Picture & Sound from Newly Restored Vault Elements
- Bilingual Menus in English & Spanish
- Audio Commentary by Robert Cotter, Author of The Mexican Masked Wrestler & Monster Filmography
- Photo Essay: Fear a la Mexicana! Mexican Horror Cinema, 1953 to 1965
- DVD ROM: Complete 1976 French Photo Novel of The Vampire’s Coffin
- The Original U.S. Theatrical Release Radio Spots
- Abel Salazar's 1995 Obituary from The Boston Globe
- Cast Biographies
- Extensive Poster and Stills Gallery


A pretty young Mexican girl returns to her hometown to make funeral arrangements for her beloved aunt, who has just died. Soon she begins to hear disturbing stories about the town being infested by vampires, and she eventually begins to suspect that her remaining aunt and the mysterious next=door neighbor may be involved.




Director: Fernando Mendez
Cast: Abel Salazar, Ariadna Welter, Carmen Montejo, Jose Luis Jimenez, Mercedes Soler, Alicia Montoya, Jose Chavez, Julio Daneri, Amado Zumaya, German Robles, Dick Barker, Margarito Luna, Guillermo Alvarez Bianchi

IMDb

I had heard a lot about this Mexican horror classic and cult film by Fernando Mendez: that it was a remarkable B&W production, that it established the vampire genre in Mexico, that it was the first movie in which the vampire had fangs and –most of all- that it was intentionally funny in parts. I had seen its sequel, "El ataud del vampiro" (The Vampire's Coffin) when I was 8 years old, of which I have a vague memory. Now, after 47 years of its release, I've finally seen "El vampiro" and to my surprise it is better than what I expected. Producer Abel Salazar knew what he was getting into –as probably did Luis Bunuel when he made "Abismos de pasion", adapting Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights"- and decided not only to approach the tale of an Hungarian vampire in Mexico with humor, but to play the leading part of the doctor with comic touches, as a cynic and fearful hero. Beautiful Ariadne Welter (Tyrone Power's once sister-in-law, sometimes credited as Ariadna) is the young heroine who returns to her family hacienda in Sierra Negra (Black Sierra) and meets Salazar on her way, while they are followed by her aunt (Cuban soap opera superstar Carmen Montejo), a spinster under the spell of Count Duval (German Robles), the local vampire. The initial situation reminded me of the Hammer Films production "Kiss of the Vampire", which was made a few years later: a young woman being observed and chosen to be part of the undead, though in this case the open setting is darker and in obvious decay. What was surprising to me was the plot's twists, which seem quite original for its time and probably not yet equaled, mainly the introduction of a woman buried alive (Alicia Montoya) –whose appearance predates Myrna Fahey in Roger Corman's "The Fall of the House of Usher"- who protects the heroine and has a decidedly active part in the conclusion. Although screenwriter Ramon Obon takes many elements from Bram Stoker's classic novel, he introduces clever touches, immensely helped by Rosalio Solano's cinematography, Gustavo Cesar Carrion's eerie score and Mendez' firm direction. As a research, it's also interesting to see another movie by Mendez, "Ladron de cadaveres", which paved the way for a unique Mexican cross of genres: the wrestler and horror films.
~ Edgar Soberon Torchia

Graverobbers stumble upon the tomb of a vampire, who turns them into zombies to do his bidding, which is to stalk and capture beautiful women.




Director: Fernando Mendez
Cast: Abel Salazar, Ariadna Welter, German Robles, Yerye Beirute, Alicia Montoya, Guillermo Orea, Carlos Ancira, Antonio Raxel, Irma Castillon, Jesus Gomez, Jose Munoz, Carlos Robles Gil, Alicia Rodriguez

IMDb

Download