Bloodsuckers (otherwise known as Incense for the Damned and a host of other inappropriate titles) is another minor Peter Cushing vehicle from 1971, here obviously banking on the star power his name suggests as well as the very sporadic vampiric element throughout the movie. Directed by Robert Hartford-Davis, the film apparently had a rather problematic production that is evidenced rather clearly by the aimless, plodding structure and overtly explicit narration the movie employs. And with Cushing relegated to a small role bookending the major narrative, there’s not a whole lot to recommend about the drudgery that follows.
The film’s plot is an almost incohesive mess involving international intrigue, a vampiric cult, sexual deviancy, and themes on the shackles of academia. None of it comes together well, with the film quickly offering up the main conceit via narration in the opening moments – Oxford student Richard (Patrick Mower) has traveled to Greece and has been abducted into a cult via the sexy Chriseis (Imogen Hassell) – and then promptly entering into a lengthy psychedelic, drug-induced orgy sequence complete with kaleidoscopic effects. I’m not one to discount nudity and orgiastic entertainment but man, this one goes on too long.
It’s only after we’re subjected to all of this meandering that we finally travel to Greece along with Richard’s friends and girlfriend to find him. Hartford-Davis’ direction is so plodding that the whole middle act becomes a bore, sporadically leavened by chase sequences and fisticuffs set to bombastic jazz. The actual vampire element is almost never a focus, to the point where the viewer questions how much bloodsucking they will actually get to witness by the end of the film. As it turns out – not a lot, though vampirism is explored alongside sexual “deviancy” like homosexuality.
At the end, Bloodsuckers really has no idea what it wants to say, and so it explores its character’s struggles through academia while coming to an inevitable and merciful conclusion. Even at a short 86 minutes, the film is both too long and somehow lacking in any development to make the characters worth caring for; and Cushing as provost of an Oxford college is onscreen just enough to remind viewers that he’s been in far better vampire movies than this one.
Blu-ray
Bloodsuckers has been released in the Cushing Curiosities boxset from Severin Films.
Severin Films’ release of Bloodsuckers restores the uncut orgy sequence with a new 2K scan from the original film negative along with missing elements from a 35mm vault print. The results are surprisingly excellent, and to be honest it’s never very apparent when the 35mm vault print elements have been inserted. Details are often sharp and clear, especially during the film’s many close-up scenes where facial features present excellent contours. Occasionally the film employs some softness and it wasn’t clear to me whether that was inherent in the film or part of the presentation; however, it’s fairly minimal. Dark sequences are occasionally marred by decreased visibility, but again, these are sporadically used. Otherwise, this sports an excellent transfer with a medium grain scale, and is likely the best video quality we’re likely to get for the humdrum Bloodsuckers.
Audio is presented with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.o mono track. For the most part, this sounds clear and robust with the aforementioned bombastic score; occasionally, echoing can be heard in certain sequences shot in larger rooms, which is likely inherent in the sound design. English subtitles are also included.
Bloodsuckers features one of the more extensive extras options in the Cushing Curiosities boxset including a variety of new interviews. A new audio commentary from Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons is perhaps the best way to watch Bloodsuckers as it provides the external context and production information necessary to actually glean some enjoyment from the disjointed film. Interestingly enough, their commentary generally points out a lot of the glaring issues at play in the film including continuity errors and other production woes.
Hartford-Davis’ daughter Jean Hartford-Davis is interviewed in a new feature providing effectively a rundown about her father’s work in film. Author John Hamilton explores the various production issues that plagued the film in his interview, remarking on the film’s interesting themes that just go nowhere thanks to the poor editing. Françoise Pascal, part of the psychedelic drug orgy, provides an interview about filming that sequence which apparently included a lot of real drugs on-set that she did not partake in. Sound recordist Tony Dawe shares his experiences on-set in his new role and tells about a time he was reprimanded for yelling “Cut!” during a take.
Finally, a 20-minute short film from Hartford-Davis called “Stranger in the City” shows a 1960s London that no longer exists. An alternate title sequence featuring Freedom Seeker and a trailer round out the extras.
Extra Features
- NEW 2K scan from the original negative with additional elements from a recently discovered 35mm vault print
- NEW Audio Commentary With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
- STRANGER IN THE CITY (1961) – Short Film By Robert Hartford-Davis (1080p; 22:24)
- NEW Daddy’s Girl – Interview With Director Robert Hartford-Davis’ Daughter, Jean Hartford-Davis (1080p; 17:21)
- NEW Bite Me! – Tigon: Blood On A Budget Author John Hamilton on Robert Hartford-Davis (1080p; 20:20)
- NEW The Trip – Interview With Uncredited Drug Orgy Actress Françoise Pascal (1080p; 16:53)
- NEW Hydra Phonics – Interview with Sound Recordist Tony Dawe (1080p; 9:59)
- FREEDOM SEEKER Title Sequence (1080i; 1:35)
- Trailer (1080p; 2:13)
Verdict
Bloodsuckers may be one of the most minor Cushing performances on the Cushing Curiosities boxset, and the film itself isn’t really worth the time despite its marginal vampire elements and a 10-minute orgy. Still, the extras here make this Blu-ray worth checking out, and the video transfer is excellent.
