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[prospero]

as far as I can see this hasn't been mentioned here so far:
good news from the italian gothic front - anolis will be releasing a special 2-disc edition of this seminal italian gothic directed by riccardo freda and completed by mario bava after freda had walked off the set. as everybody knows, this film is generally seen as the one which started it all in italy.
there'll be two different versions of the film on the discs, the orginal (supposedly the same that was released by image - or was it VCI?) and the "German theatrical version". so far I haven't been able to find out whether the latter is identical to the extended american cut which was released under the title "the devils commandment". I hope it is, because I find it quite interesting to compare the two versions. with a dvd release of the US cut I could finally throw away that sinister cinema vhs. however, ofdb.de lists the german version with a running time of 78 mins which is identical to the italian version, so I hope they were mistaken when they said it would be the "original and the german cut".

for the extras they've been able to track down swiss actor paul muller for an interview! I don't know whether they'll provide english subs for the interview (i guess muller must be german speaking, so with anolis being a german label it is possible that they won't).
apparently they're planning a spring 2009 release. nothing on their website yet, though.

[Jonny]

Great news, thanks for the heads up prospero.

I've not got this on DVD so I'll definitely be picking up the Anolis release.

[Paul]

There'll be two different versions of the film on the discs, the orginal (supposedly the same that was released by image - or was it VCI?)

It was Image and was released as part of their Mario Bava Collection back in 2001/2002.

[Jens Thomsen]

The Image disc is okay, but there is definitely room for improvement. I regard I VAMPIRI very highly, so I am definitely going to get the Anolis release if the reviews are any good.

[Johan Melle]

I don't rate this one very highly as it's fairly tedious and boring - not among Freda's best. I do admire Bava's cinematography and effects, though, and this undeniably a very important film in the history of Italian genre cinema. If the different American cut is included then I will certainly buy this disc. My main gripe about Image's Bava releases were how they only released the Italian versions of films such as THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH - depriving us of the chance to evaluate the different English variant.

[prospero]

I don't rate this one very highly as it's fairly tedious and boring - not among Freda's best.

I actually do think it's among Freda's best! I mean, contrary to his reputation (which is mainly due to the brilliant Dr. Hitchcock), he hasn't really made too many great movies in the grenre. "The Ghost" is good, "Liz & Helen" and "iguana" are alright, but "Tragic Ceremony" and "Murder Obsession" are downright awful imo. haven't seen his Maciste movies as yet, though.

[ecc]

I don't rate this one very highly as it's fairly tedious and boring - not among Freda's best.

I actually do think it's among Freda's best!

But Bava finished the film.

Anolis had found the German version some time ago so its nice to know they are readying it for release.  The German trailer, at least, has footage of Muller's execution so hopefully the German version does have alternate footage.  Besides the US cut, I think I remember reading that the sole print of English export version was screened at a Bava retrospective some time ago.  I've never seen THE DEVIL'S COMMANDMENT version.

[Johan Melle]

I consider this more of a Freda film than a Bava film. From what I understand, Bava didn't direct any of the notable scenes with horror elements. His stamp on the film is mainly in the cinematography and the effects IMO.

I'm no Freda scholar but there is definitely more to him than the Hichcock films! DOUBLE FACE is an excellent film that uses Klaus Kinski to great effect in a rare sympathetic role, and personally I think there's a lot more to MURDER OBSESSION than what immediately meets the eye (I'm growing more and more fond of this one).

[prospero]

here's some exciting news: Anolis will release their special edition of this film in march.
It will be a 2-dvd-set including THREE different versions of the film - the italian original, the slightly shorter German cut, and the US cut with the additional scenes entitled "Devils' Commandment". there will be an "extensive" booklet (probably in German only), a German audio commentary, plus an hour-long documentary on Paul Muller including a brand new interview.
It will be in anamorphic 1:2,35, English, Italian and German audio.
It'll bear the German title "Der Vampir von Notre Dame". retail price will be something around 26,- Euros.
doesn't that sound good???

[Johan Melle]

plus an hour-long documentary on Paul Muller including a brand new interview.

Sounds GREAT!  A documentary on Muller is in itself good enough reason to warrant a purchase IMO!

[prospero]

here's what it'll look like:
http://www.wicked-vision.com/news/anolis/I-Vampiri-3D-web02.jpg

[Jonny]

This looks like a must buy DVD! Cheers for the heads up Prospero  :'(

[Jay]

I know the guy who works there and hung out with him at Fantasporto. Will ask for more info ASAP.

Jay

[fdsmedia]

Unfortunately only the US cut will have English language options...

[Jay]

Disc(s) are on their way; will let you all know how it is. Looks very promising.