27 February 2008

A legendary early masterpiece of French cinema, Les Vampires follows the exploits of a nefarious band of master criminals led by the seductive femme fatale Irma Vep, seductively played by the single monikered actress Musidora. Holding Paris in the grip of terror, the underworld gang are pursued across the city by heroic journalist Philippe Guerande and his sidekick Mazamette.

Recently recalled by Olivier Assayas in his 1996 film Irma Vep, which was built around the process of remaking the original with Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung in the title role, the original ten-part silent serial from pioneer Louis Feuillade, creator the acclaimed Fantômas serials, reflected the mood of fear and anxiety in World War I era France and is a hugely influential and engrossing crime drama from cinema's golden age.

Previously released in the US on DVD by Image Entertainment in a handsomely restored version, the 399 minute series is now to be released on UK DVD by Artificial Eye as a 3-disc Collector's Edition. Special features will include:

• Louis Feuillade at Work (a 1965 portrait of the director of over 800 films in a wide range of genres - 32 mins);
• Short films by Louis Feuillade: Une Dame Vraiment Bien; La Legende de la Fileuse; C'est pour les Orphelines and L'Orgie Romaine.

Les Vampires will be released on UK DVD by Artificial Eye on 24th March 2008 at the RRP of £29.99.