Arrow Video, out now

A couple invites a Count from Hungary, who recently immigrated to America, to conduct a seance for the woman’s recently deceased mother, oblivious to the fact that he is actually a vampire. 

Writer and director Bob Kelljan’s duo of early 70s, Robert Quarry-vampire flicks Count Yorga, Vampire (1970) and The Return of Count Yorga (1971) get new 2K restorations by Arrow Films, taken from 4K scans of the original 35mm camera negatives.

I first watched these vampire movies on late-night television in the 1980s, and must confess to never being a great fan at the time, due in no small part to their contemporary US setting (I’d been weaned on period vampire pics set in English-speaking Eastern Europe). But with maturity, I can appreciate that the movies were trying to do something a bit different and shark-toothed Quarry made for a great count.

Arrow’s set come in limited edition packaging with reversible sleeves, fold-out double-sided posters for both films, 12 double-sided, lobby card reproduction art cards, reproduction pressbook for Count Yorga, Vampire and an illustrated book of new writing.

The set also contains some excellent new features for each movie. Count Yorga, Vampire has a new audio commentary by critic Tim Lucas, an archive commentary by critics David Del Valle & C. Courtney Joyner and a new appreciation by Heather Drain and Chris O’Neill. As well as trailer and radio spots, there’s a new interview with filmmaker Frank Darabont about his love for the movie. The Return of Count Yorga, Vampire has a new audio commentary by film critic Stephen R. Bissette, archival audio commentary by David Del Valle & C. Courtney, new interviews with film critic Maitland McDonagh and composer David Huckvale, and an archive interview with film critic Kim Newman.

Verdict: Those who picked up Arrow’s 2016 Blu-rays may be cautious about double-dipping, but there’s enough new content, crisper transfers and collector’s goodies to justify the new purchase. 7/10

Nick Joy

Click here to order from Amazon.co.uk