This release appears on the always reliable Arrow video, and as expected features their normal double-sided cover design; featuring both newly created artwork & original film poster work. Along with a glossy 12 page booklet, featuring a new lengthy write-up about both films, stills, etc.

The two films featured here are: Count Yorga, Vampire  from 1970, and it’s sequel/ remake The Return of Count Yorga from 1971. Both films feature tall, and charismatic US actor Robert Quarry as the Count. For much of his career Quarry was very much of a bit part/ TV show actor, but for this role he really came into his own, managing to blend campy asides, dark menace, and a really feeling of tongue-in-cheek contempt.  Both films transport the count figure into 1970’s America- in the first film Yorga stalks a group of friends after meeting them at a Los Angeles séance. And in the second the count is moved to San Francisco, to start preying on the local community & nearby orphanage. As well as trying to secure himself a wife.

Both films are enjoyable slices of 70’s vampiric  B-movie fun, though of the two I’d say the first is better. Firstly the balance of camp, menace & atmosphere is perfect. Secondly the plot seems to flow better with more nice twists & turns in tone, and (for the time) there are a few quite shocking scenes.

Sadly the second film is let down by a similar plot, overly comedic moments, and a distinct lack of both blood & shocks. It certainly has it moments though- like a recreation of the Tate/ LaBianca murders, with Yorga’s female vampires thralls  carrying out the raid. A  few great & cutting quips from Quarry, and a slightly bigger budget. So it’s certainly worth a look, it just lacks the punch & surprise of the first films…but I guess you could say the same for many sequel.

Extras wise: We get a half-an-hour discussion on both films from respected horror critic Kim Newman- this is as expected informative & entertaining, with Newman showing his usual passion for film. Also there’s a brand new commentary  for each of the films, and these bring together columnist/ film historian David Del Valle &  author/filmmaker C. Courtney Joyner. And for me these are the highlight of the release- as both knew Quarry, and both are very knowable about horror cinema, the films production, and Quarry himself. The commentaries are wonderfully  chatty & interesting affairs, that really bring out more in the films themselves, which of course a great commentary should do.  Lastly you get the booklet, and this features a new write-up about the films & their production from Frank Collins, and once again this is worthy, as he adds his own take on the films.

Even though I’m fairly well versed in Vampire cinema, I'm ashamed to say I was unaware of either of these movies before this set- so thanks to Arrow for introducing me to Mr Quarry's distinctive take on the vampire. All in all another winner from the label, and a must have for vampire film fans/70’s horror movie fans alike!.