hunchback of the morgue

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The news seemed promising. The German company Shock Entertainment was going to release on Blu-Ray the Naschy film, COUNT DRACULA'S GREAT LOVE. Since Victory was mentioned, it was hoped that the element was from the Victory holdings, as Victory has certain Naschy films and Spanish ones, as well. Concerns were there, though. Victory was asking for a lot of money, something Shock could not give. For a small company, it was better for the pocketbook to avoid Victory, if possible. But, for us Anglos, the deal with Germany, if there was one, could have been way different. 

Well, now that I have seen it, I can report that the Blu-Ray mostly uses the Vinegar Syndrome Blu-Ray for its visuals, something I was afraid of but suspected. Shock never answered my questions and did not answer even the ones from Germans, a sign that Shock did not want too much light shed on this release. Apparently, the new Blu is produced in only 1000 copies, which does not justify the price that Victory is asking. Taking something (bootlegging?) from Vinegar Syndrome is good enough for Shock and their pocketbook. 

Aside from the film itself, there are two trailers. One in English is to be found in the Vinegar Syndrome Blu-Ray, and one in German that seems newly done with German audio but using the VS Blu. It is presented as an original trailer with that audio, but I doubt that. I could be wrong, however. Importantly, there is a five minute-plus intro from Sergio Molina, a perk that is welcome.

The production of the 36 page booklet is done very well. It uses screen captures, but also a bunch of material from Thorsten Benzel's MUCHAS GRACIAS SENOR LOBO.  No thanks is given that I can see, either to Vinegar Syndrome or Thorsten. (One of the photos is a screen capture, minus identifying top/bottom, of the VS cover!) As for the text, I don't read German, but even so, I can tell by the film titles and names that the Naschy film is not written about much. Basically, you will have a review of other Dracula films.

There is the German audio track (mediocre), but there is also the Spanish audio track. And the presentation does have the Spanish titles and end title. The whole is nicely produced and does not seem "bootleg-ish."

The question of "should I buy this?" is pertinent. It may be solved by one's own need and...pocketbook.