Count Yorga Vampire & Return of Count Yorga
by Bob Kelljan
Our Price: $36.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $12.49 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Donna Anders, Michael Macready, Michael Murphy, Robert Quarry, Roger PerryDirector: Bob Kelljan
Brand: QUARRY,ROBERT
Producer: Michael Macready
Cinematographer: Arch Archambault
Cinematographer: Bill Butler
Writer: Bob Kelljan
Editor: Fabien D. Tordjmann
Editor: Laurette Odney
Writer: Yvonne Wilder
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
DVD Release Date: 2005-02-15
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of Count Yorga Vampire & Return of Count Yorga
Movie Review: "How do you feel about driving a wooden stake through someone's heart?"
Summary: 5 Stars
Probably the most underrated vampire in cinema history, Count Yorga is a favorite horror character of mine. Robert Quarry is second only to Bela Lugosi in my book as far as vampire lords go, even beating out bonafide legend Christopher Lee whose Dracula performances are legendary. Yorga was originally spelled "Iorga" but was changed presumably because American studios give zero credence to the intelligence and literacy of horror and exploitation fans. Well screw you, too. Though both films were very obviously influenced by Hammer studios and their aforementioned Dracula films starring Lee, I find them preferable to almost all of Hammer's vampire flicks.
Robert Quarry's Count Yorga is neither otherworldy like Lugosi nor dour and curt like Lee. He is a socially confident gentleman with a quick and biting wit, calm demeanor, hypnotic skills both classical and supernatural, and a genuine love of the ladies. In fact, one may notice the way Yorga seems loathe to even touch the men he attacks, keeping them at arms length like so much garbage or if at all possible utilizing his followers to take care of them. I love it. Now, if I were an undead lord my favorite part would have to be the requisite harem, and Yorga's is most impressive. Always a sucker (pun intended) for the ladies, the good Count seems to enjoy watching his ladyslaves get it on almost as much as he does sicking them on his enemies. And let's face it: 70's horror and exploitation actresses are the hottest breed of human ever seen. The women in these two films are not Hammer quality, but one would still feel compelled to bite them on the neck and spend eternity forcing them to do your bidding. That said there is no nudity in either film and the lesbianism is only briefly implied (blink and you'll miss it) and not explicitly shown. There is quality violence and some solid scares, though. Oddly, the first film is rated "PG-13" and the second "R" in spite of the fact that the first is more explicit both horrifically and sexually. So dumb.
"Count Yorga, Vampire" aka "The Many Loves of Count Iorga, Vampire" is an absolute must-see vampire classic. We first meet the head vamp conducting a seance in modern day Los Angeles. Yorga is so confident that he spends time in both films advocating belief in the supernatural -especially vampires- to nonbelievers. This is one of my favorite aspects of the character and speaks volumes of his disdain for human knowledge. Soon, he continues his bloodletting (which began prior to the film's opening) by going after the beautiful daughter of his last victim. In my favorite scene the girl, having been bitten by the Count, is discovered by her loved ones devouring a small cat. It's a profoundly disturbing scene that does everything right and should be considered a classic unto itself. The ending is arguably the greatest parting shot in vampire cinema history. 4 1/2 stars.
"The Return of Count Yorga" is a solid sequel with more humor (some intentional, some not) than the original that retains nearly all of the elements of the first film while moving the action to San Francisco. Don't ask how or why the Count returned, just be happy that he did. I'm of the opinion that this one doesn't measure up to the original. The ending seemed silly and forced (fool me once...), the hot vampire brides were mostly made to look grotesque, the subplot involving a young boy taken by Yorga is a throwaway without a real arc, and there are some moments where you wonder if any part of this film was meant to be taken seriously. But it still has plenty of great moments both funny and creepy. My favorite involves the heroine -having been mindwiped by Yorga's hypnosis skills- wandering his mansion while hearing the creepy telepathic giggles of his undead brides and catching mental glimpses of the carnage she saw Yorga and his harem unleash on her family when they kidnapped her. It's simply a great sequence. Some humor ensues when Yorga strides into a costume party dressed as he always is. The Count passes a woman who remarks "Another vampire. But where are your fangs?". "Where are YOUR manners?" quips the stone-faced lord of the the undead before quickly moving on. Also worthy of praise is a slow-motion chase down a hallway when the girl's boyfriend comes investigating and narrowly escapes the ladyvamps only to find a positively demonic-looking Count Yorga out for his blood. 3 1/2 stars.
Together, these two vampire cinema classics make for five star must-own material. I'll never say no to a two-fer of this quality and if you're a horror fan neither should you. As usual for these sort of releases, you get one double-sided DVD with only theatrical trailers for bonus material. The first film has no English subtitles, the sequel does (both are English langage films, of course); just another little oddity. But I seriousy doubt anybody is expecting much from such an obscure pair of films. Just be happy for another great two-for-one deal and enjoy these
forgotten horror gems.
Summary of Count Yorga Vampire & Return of Count Yorga
No Description Available.Genre: Horror
Rating: UN
Release Date: 15-FEB-2005
Media Type: DVD
Similar DVD Movies
Jess Franco's Count Dracula (Special Edition)MPI; Release date: 2007-02-27; DVD
Best price: $5.65
Price in other shops:
The Return of Dracula/ The VampireSony; Release date: 2007-09-11; DVD
Best price: $4.29
Price in other shops:
Draculas: 4 Film Favorites (Horror of Dracula / Dracula Has Risen from the Grave / Taste the Blood of Dracula / Dracula A.D. 1972)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-11-06; DVD
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops:
Hammer Horror Series (Brides of Dracula / Curse of the Werewolf / Phantom of the Opera (1962) / Paranoiac / Kiss of the Vampire / Nightmare / Night Creatures / Evil of Frankenstein)UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN.; Release date: 2005-09-06; DVD
Best price: $19.57
Price in other shops:
The Revenge of FrankensteinSony Pictures Home ENT; Release date: 2002-08-13; DVD
Best price: $4.90
Price in other shops:
The Abominable Dr. Phibes/ Dr. Phibes Rises Again!Sony; Release date: 2005-02-15; DVD
Best price: $7.25
Price in other shops:
Curse of the Demon / Night of the DemonANDREWS,DANA; Release date: 2002-08-13; DVD
Best price: $8.81
Price in other shops:
The Dunwich HorrorRelease date: 2001-08-28; DVD
Best price: $3.64
Price in other shops:
GargoylesHTV; Release date: 2011-05-17; DVD
Best price: $13.37
Price in other shops:
Countess Dracula / The Vampire LoversSony; Release date: 2003-08-26; DVD
Best price: $19.99