Les Vampires

Aroview: The legendary French movie serial created by the enormously prolific silent dir. Feuillade, set around a murderous crime-ring who operate in Paris arranging kidnappings, jewel robberies, decapitations and other nefarious deeds.

Led by the enigmatic, slinky Irma Vep (Musidora) and pursued by an obsessive journalist (Mathe), the gradual distintegration of the gang is portrayed in a free-wheeling, still-stylish mixture of lurid fights, chases, disguises and slapstick. Although uneven, the 10 episodes of the serial comprise a refreshing glipse into early cinema and something of a contrast with parallel efforts in Hollywood.

This DVD set also includes two later short films by Feuillade: "For the Children" (1916) and "Bout de Zan and the Shirker" (1916).

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