Roman Polanski's third English-language film is an affectionate, humorous homage to vampire myths and Hammer horror films (namely BRIDES OF DRACULA and KISS OF THE VAMPIRE) that was badly tampered with for U.S. release. Originally known in its native U.K. as DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES, the U.S. version was shortened, some of the voices were re-dubbed, an animated prologue was tacked on to the opening, and the title was changed to what we best know it as today. Polanski's longer and better cut had been released on VHS (pan and scan) and laserdisc from MGM, as well as on DVD from Warner, and here it is officially on Blu-ray — again in it's the uncut, definitive version — and it remains a masterpiece of the genre after 50 years.

Polanski himself stars as Alfred, the young, naïve assistant to the more seasoned but inept Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran, THE EXORCIST) who together comb the snowy landscapes and inns of Transylvania, hoping to find a genuine vampire. They end up staying at a tavern owned by Shagal (Alfie Bass, A CHALLENGE FOR ROBIN HOOD), who lives with his massive wife (Jessie Robins, MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR), beautiful red-headed daughter Sarah (Sharon Tate, soon-to-be wife of Polanski, who was tragically murdered in 1969), and the busty maid (Fiona Lewis, DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN). A number of clues make our would-be vampire-hunters believe they are close to the real thing, including the cloves of garlic hanging all over the place, as well as a visit from a grotesque hunchback named Koukol (British ex-boxer Terry Downes, A STUDY IN TERROR), whom Alfred later witnesses feasting on a wolf's blood. Later that night, in one extraordinary sequence, the vampire king Count Von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne, THE VAMPIRE HAPPENING) descends on Sarah — in one of her frequent bubble baths — from the skylight above, biting her on the neck as she splashes recklessly for her freedom. Sarah is captured, with only a smear of blood remaining in the suds. Smitten with Sarah, Alfred accompanies the Professor to the castle to rescue her and bring down the vampiric Count. They are at first welcomed as guests at the decaying, gothic castle, but by day they are crawling into crypts — wooden stakes in hand — in a number of misfired attempts at vampire hunting. Sarah is later discovered safe and sound, and the whole show culminates in a fancy dress ball where the undead rise from their buried wooden coffins to attend.

Despite various production dilemmas (some which are documented in Polanski's autobiography) and the clash with executive producer Martin Ransohoff (ultimately responsible for the bastardized U.S. version), THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS remains a triumphant effort in its director's cut, which is now what is commonly shown to the public, and thankfully what we get on the Blu-ray format. With the snowbound locations in Ortisei, Italy, the fairy tale-like sets constructed at Elstree, Pinewood Studios and the MGM British Studios in England, and the luscious Panavision cinematography by Douglas Slocombe (RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK), the film has an extravagant look to it. The screenplay by Polanski and frequent collaborator Gérard Brach cleverly blends humorous dialogue, quirky characters, sight gags and slapstick, while embracing the horror elements with equal intelligence. Polanski's direction is masterful, and he is perfectly cast as Alfred, having great chemistry with MacGowran as the goofy professor. The cast is quite marvelous, with Bass getting the most laughs as the screen's first Jewish vampire, and there's also an openly homosexual blonde vampire (played by Iain Quarrier, SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL), who looks to be poking fun at David Peel's performance in BRIDES OF DRACULA. Undeniably most notable here is German-born Ferdy Mayne as the suave yet intimidating vampire Count who gives Christopher Lee's Dracula a run for his money. Those who follow British horror and all of its wonderful character actors will have fun spotting the likes of Sidney Bromley (FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL), Ronald Lacey (DISCIPLE OF DEATH) and Roy Evans (THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD).

Although dubious Blu-rays of this film have previously been released in places such as Spain and France, Warner Archive Collection finally bows their official Blu-ray (in the full 107-minute version), transferred from a new 2019 HD master. The film is presented in 1080p in its original 2.35:1 Panavision aspect ratio, and looks scrumptious, a far cry from the previous Warner DVD which suffered from white speckling on the source element. The image is bursting with fine detail and brilliant textures, especially in facial features and all the gloriously gloomy and decadent set-decorating it has to offer. Colors definitely have appropriate pop, especially in the ballroom scene, and contrast has a strong showing here as well, with black levels also being deep. There is pleasing and filmic grain structure that’s never too heavy, and all-around this is a top-notch transfer with no visible source print damage. The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. This is a strong audio presentation with good clarity and the excellent score composed by Krzysztof Komeda sounds perfectly fine. Optional SDH subtitles are included.