4K Ultra HD Review – Vampyros Lesbos (1971)

      **Vampyros Lesbos, 1971.**

      Directed by Jesús Franco.

      Featuring Soledad Miranda, Dennis Price, Paul Muller, Ewa Strömberg, Jesús Franco, Heidrun Kussin, Andrea Montchal.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      A female vampire entices a lawyer to her secluded island through an erotic nightclub act.

      Jesús ‘Jess’ Franco was one of the most prolific directors of the latter half of the 20th century, amassing over 200 credited directing assignments (and likely more unofficial ones). Given such an extensive filmography, it is no surprise that the quality varied at times (White Cannibal Queen, anyone?), yet there are several notable pieces amidst the lesser works, with Vampyros Lesbos being one of the standout titles.

      With a name like that, expectations are set, but in essence, Vampyros Lesbos is a modern reinterpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, with Franco and his co-writers modifying certain elements to refresh the narrative. The film opens with an erotic dance routine in a dim nightclub, where Linda Westinghouse (Ewa Strömberg) and her boyfriend Omar (Andrea Montchal) observe Countess Nadine Corody (Soledad Miranda) entwined with another woman. After this encounter, Linda becomes obsessed with the Countess, hearing her name called psychically, a foreshadowing that manifests when her law firm assigns her to manage the transfer of Count Dracula’s estate to Countess Corody on an island near Turkey.

      Upon arriving, Linda succumbs to Corody’s enchantment, becoming captivated by her beauty and falling victim to an assault. When she awakens in a mental institution run by Dr. Seward (Dennis Price), suffering from amnesia, her treatment helps her recall the events and she resolves to return to the island. It emerges that Linda is not the only patient enchanted by the Countess, prompting Dr. Seward to conduct his investigation, culminating in a showdown on Corody’s island.

      As you can see, there’s a distinct echo of Stoker’s original story—right down to the character of Dr. Seward, who bears more resemblance to Van Helsing in this context—with Linda taking on Jonathan Harker's role and Countess Corody substituting for Dracula (though Dracula is referenced within the film). The bright and sunny Turkish landscape contrasts with the misty mountains of Transylvania. This could suggest that Jess Franco was progressive, swapping male roles for female ones and placing them in positions of power, illustrating male ineffectiveness against stronger female characters.

      Or, more likely, Franco sought to include as much naked female skin as possible, as he swiftly gets his leading actresses to disrobe and play in the sea just moments after their introduction, serving only to titillate. There’s nothing wrong with that, and Franco consistently seizes opportunities to have his protagonists partially undressed, but in comparison to some of his other works, Vampyros Lesbos feels less sleazy, primarily due to the surreal and dreamlike visuals he employs, opting for a less linear narrative that allows the imagery to convey the story.

      Yes, the framework of the plot—what little there is—draws from Dracula, and once established, it becomes clear who will confront whom in the climax, deflating any sense of suspense. Nevertheless, Franco employs the motifs of a drowning scorpion and a trapped moth in cutaway shots to symbolize his two lead characters, suggesting impending danger. Supporting these visuals is a pulsating psychedelic funk rock jazz score that injects liveliness into the film, elevating the imagery beyond mere aesthetics.

      Soledad Miranda portrays the alluring Countess Corody as if she is intent on seducing the entire audience, her charisma palpable even in scenes she does not occupy, which explains her appeal to Franco. Tragically, she died in a car accident in 1970 before the film's release, but during her brief career, the Spanish actress exhibited great potential as a charismatic genre star.

      In addition, Ewa Strömberg offers a sympathetic turn as Linda, who remains under Corody’s influence for much of the film, drifting in a haze until her panic sets in. Jess Franco himself appears in a creepy cameo—as was his custom—and Dennis Price is a familiar sight for fans of 1970s British horror, although the German dubbing dampens his performance.

      The 4K UHD upgrade looks exceptional, especially given the frequent use of red in various scenes, from the flowing scarves in the nightclub to the blood on glass that Franco cuts to during vampiric moments, as well as the overt bloodshed when Countess Corody gets her way. For an inexpensive Jess Franco film from the early ’70s, the overall transfer delivers vibrancy and warmth, making it feel contemporary, and Severin has not held back on the extras either, providing