Search - Vampires on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Profanity, Sexual Situations, Gore Movie Release: 1998 DVD Release: 02/09/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 48 mins Studio: Columbia TriStar Total Copies: 5 Genres: Horror, Action Thriller, Hybrid Western See Also: John Carpenter's Vampires, John Carpenter's Vampires [UMD for PSP]

John Carpenter directed this horror-western, adapted from the novel -Vampire$ by John Steakley, illuminating the pivotal figure of fearless vampire killer Jack Crow (James Woods), who lost his parents to the creatures. In a remote New Mexico location, Crow and his team, protected with chain-mail fang shields on their throats, blast away at a vampire nest, haul them out with the Jeep's winch, and then celebrate by pulling on other wenches at the Sun God Motel. Their revels are soon brought to an end by king vampire Valek (Thomas Ian Griffith), who became invulnerable after a bungled "inverse exorcism" during the 14th Century. Amid the motel mayhem, Jack escapes, along with his buddy Montoya (Daniel Baldwin) and hooker Katrina (Sheryl Lee). Since Katrina was already bitten by Valek, they use her as a decoy to locate Valek. Cardinal Alba (Maximilian Schell) sends padre Guiteau (Tim Guinee) to join Crow, who is unaware that Montoya has been bitten by Katrina. The hunt begins. Director Carpenter composed the film's music. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

James Woods - Jack Crow
Daniel Baldwin - Tony Montoya
Sheryl Lee - Katrina
Thomas Ian Griffith - Valek
Tim Guinee - Father Adam Guiteau
Maximilian Schell - Cardinal Alba

Vampires will probably not go down in cinematic history as one of John Carpenter's best films, but even an average Carpenter film is sure to build up a devoted cult following, and this hybrid Western will no doubt be popular home viewing for years to come. It is fortunate, then, that Columbia TriStar's DVD edition of the film is extremely good. Carpenter's red skylines and gruesome slaughter scenes are well presented in anamorphic widescreen, and the surprisingly detailed soundtrack is delivered flawlessly in Dolby Digital 5.1. The extra features include an interesting photo gallery and the amusing original theatrical trailer. The best addition, however, is the director's feature commentary. Carpenter's commentaries are always good, and though this one is not quite as engrossing as his commentary on The Thing, it is still full of humor and insight. Carpenter reveals many directorial tricks and gimmicks, credits the improvisation of James Woods in the film, and is willing to acknowledge the influence of the classic Peter Cushing/Christopher Lee vampire movies. Vampires may not be one of the great vampire movies, but this is a very creditable DVD. ~ Patrick Lee, All Movie Guide