Finally! Someone can place a sticker on a DVD release of Vampyres that states the release to be "uncut and uncensored" and not be fibbing! Anchor Bay's previous edition made such claims while they were completely unaware that their release was missing about 30 some odd seconds of sex n' gore - and god knows how much we love our sex n' gore! Well, Blue Underground to the rescue, with their recent release of Vampyres in a new transfer and fully uncut - also loaded with extras. It looks like I'll finally be able to sleep at night after all.

Miriam (Anulka) and Fran (Marianne Morris) spend most of their days roaming the English countryside. They're not picking flowers or bird watching neither - nope. They're hitching rides with unsuspecting men, leading them back to the huge castle they've taken up residence in, only to participate in an orgiastic melange of flesh and blood. Miriam and Fran are Vampyres. One fine day Miriam hitches a ride with Ted (Murray Brown), a horny middle aged goat who keeps coming back to the castle for more, even AFTER our two vixens feed on him - repeatedly! Fran's unsuspecting catches seem to come and go, but Ted just won't take a hint, he stays forever!

In the mean time a young couple have camped out just on the outskirts of the castle, and they too suspect that something funky is going on. At one point Ted enlists their help with a "gash" he's developed, only to return to the castle moments later. Miriam and Fran continue to quench their desires on each other, Ted and any other unsuspecting male dolt that decides to stop by for some wine and then some whine. In the end, it all comes together - exactly who (or what) Miriam and Fran really are. But then again - if you were paying attention, this is something that you would have known from the very start.

Unlike Daughters of Darkness (review here), Vampyres has little to no redeeming social value and is most definitely anything but high art. THIS is an example of pure exploitation goodness from sexy start to grisly finish. There are times when the film moves at nearly a snails pace, I mean how much footage of Ted exploring the castle after an evening of carnal desires do we really need? It's OK though because it's made up for in spades every time Fran and Miriam share the screen. The reason for watching Vampyres is simple - gothic imagery, beautiful lesbian vampires and soft-core eroticism laced with blood. That pretty much sums it up and believe me, it's NOTHING to be ashamed of.

Acting is pretty much sub par (the over dub doesn't help) as it's obvious that our two female leads were NOT chosen for their thespian abilities. They were chosen for ummm, "other" obvious needs the filmmakers had, they're pure eye candy. Once again, no complaints here - and I really can't fault good ol' Ted for constantly returning to the castle either as I'd probably do the same. Morris and Anulka are gorgeous, simply put and have tremendous screen presence. The action does get pretty grisly, but never really crosses over from the blood smear mode. Effects are not very detailed, we never really go beyond the realm of just plain nekedness while writhing around in blood, but hey - it sure is fun to watch! Man I'm going to hell...see you all there!

From as far as I can tell Blue Underground has restored all of the snips and tucks from the previous Anchor Bay edition. Quality is probably just a hair above the previous edition as well. Colors are strong and print damage is minimal. There is some slight evidence of grain, primarily noticeable in the darker scenes. This is an extremely solid presentation by Blue Underground (now with 16X9 enhancement as well) all around. The English Mono track is clear with no evidence of distortion.

Extras start off with two trailers, an extensive still gallery (promo, behind the scenes and advertising), an Anulka gallery (sorry, no nudes), a "lost" scene presented in B&W stills and a directors Bio. Next up is an audio commentary (lifted from the previous Anchor Bay disc) with director Larraz and producer Smedley-Aston. It's choppy but certainly worth at least one listen. Next up is a 14-minute interview with both Anulka and Marianne Morris entitled Return of the Vampyres. Both women speak fondly of their experience on the set of Vampyres and each other, as well as speaking candidly about their lives then and now (Morris was up for the lead in Story of O!). It's a great piece and both women still look quite stunning today. The final extra is a DVD ROM supplement called Vampyres - A Tribute to the Ultimate in Erotic Horror Cinema. Included are tons of photos, clippings, writings - you name it, all on Vampyres and its cast and crew. It's an extensive and most welcomed extra.

Vampyres is certainly not going to win any awards on the filmmaking front, but it is a fun little erotic gore fest. Don't look for any deep meaning or social commentary, just kick back and enjoy, cause I know you will. Blue Underground serves up some great extras and a nice transfer as well - highly recommended (also makes for a nifty double feature with BU's release of Daughters of Darkness).