| Special Features: |
DISC ONE: 4K UHD
- Audio Commentary by Composer/Director John Carpenter - this commentary first appeared on Columbia TriStar's 2003 DVD and all the subsequent BDs. It features Carpenter on a solo track. I re-listened to the track for this release and it improves in the movie's second half mostly because there are seem to be more gaps in between the filmmaker's comments during the first half. It really gets good when Carpenter explains how Howard Hawks's work influenced some of the characters and themes in Vampires. A golden nugget occurs when he talks about how one of Dimitri Tiomkin's Mexican themes influenced one of his own compositions. Other highlights include on-location stories with he and his actors. The viewer also learns a little about his son (and future composer) Cody improvising on a synth. In English, not subtitled.
DISC TWO: Blu-ray
- Audio Commentary by Composer/Director John Carpenter - this commentary first appeared on Columbia TriStar's 2003 DVD and all the subsequent BDs. It features Carpenter on a solo track. I re-listened to the track for this release and it improves in the movie's second half mostly because there are seem to be more gaps in between the filmmaker's comments during the first half. It really gets good when Carpenter explains how Howard Hawks's work influenced some of the characters and themes in Vampires. A golden nugget occurs when he talks about how one of Dimitri Tiomkin's Mexican themes influenced one of his own compositions. Other highlights include on-location stories with he and his actors. The viewer also learns a little about his son (and future composer) Cody improvising on a synth. In English, not subtitled.
- Time to Kill Some Vampires – An Interview with Composer/Director John Carpenter, Producer Sandy King Carpenter, and Cinematographer Garry B. Kibbe (12:25, 1080p) - Carpenter and his wife discuss bringing John Steakley's novel to the screen, casting, and the score. Kibbe chimes in with his thoughts on related topics. In English, not subtitled.
- Jack the Slayer – An Interview with Actor James Woods (22:18, 1080p) - Woods is at his descriptive best here in the disc's longest interview. The two-time Oscar nominee reflects on the leeway Carpenter gave him to ad-lib his lines, his impressions on Carpenter as a true auteur, and the satisfaction he got playing the lead in an action picture. Woods makes a senior slip-up when referring to vigilante antiheroes in westerns. He says "Henry Ford" but meant to say Glenn Ford. In English, not subtitled.
- The First Vampire – An Interview with Actor Thomas Ian Griffith (9:38, 1080p) - Daniel's snake-oiled coach in The Karate Kid Part III talks about his martial art skills, his first meeting with Sandy King Carpenter at an audition, high-wire stunts, and the fun he enjoyed playing Valek. In English, not subtitled.
- Raising the Stakes – An Interview with Special Effects Artist Greg Nicotero (10:26, 1080p) - Carpenter and his wife offer introductory remarks about Nicotero, who later appears to discuss the film's bloody gags, colored contact lenses, and how he did the makeup for some of the most remarkably gruesome scenes. All speak in English, not subtitled.
- Padre – An Interview with Actor Tim Guinee (12:45, 1080p) - Guinee portrayed Father Adam. The actor talks about being in back-to-back vampire films (he had just appeared in Blade prior to acting in Vampires). The well-accomplished TV actors also speaks about his working relationships with Woods and Carpenter on set. He has a couple of great anecdotes and stories from the filming period to tell. In English, not subtitled.
- Vintage Making-of Featurette (23:41, upconverted to 1080i) - this full EPK featurette (6:10) by Columbia was initially included on the German VCL and Studio Canal BDs along with these interview snippets with the director and actors: John Carpenter (2:17), James Woods (2:26), Daniel Baldwin (2:03), and Sheryl Lee (2:03). The program is rounded off by B-roll footage (8:57) with Carpenter directing Woods. It's nice to hear from Baldwin and Lee (brief as they are) since more recent interviews weren't recorded with them. Spoken in English, not subtitled.
- Theatrical Trailer (2:06, 1080p) - a restored trailer of Vampires with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround (448 kbps).
- TV Spots (3:16, upconverted to 1080i) - the first four American spots are taken from videocassette and considering the source, they look mediocre to average with tracking. The last spot looks better and was broadcast for the Japanese market. Spoken words are in English with Japanese subtitles.
- Still Gallery (6:11, 1080i) - a slide show consisting of eighty images showcasing Vampire's ad and marketing campaign from American and international film companies. The first thirty-nine images are high-res photos of the production (all in color except for one black-and-white snapshot), eight glossy B&W stills from Columbia's press kit, five more publicity photos, and twenty-eight poster sheets and lobby cards from US and foreign distributors.
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