8mm Forum: Super rarity CASTLE OF DOOM (VAMPYR) 1932 SOLD

This is topic Super rarity CASTLE OF DOOM (VAMPYR) 1932 SOLD in forum 8mm films for sale/trade/wanted at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Timothy Ramzyk (Member # 718) on November 26, 2016, 09:22 AM:

Wowie, I have no affiliation with the seller (long- time video dealer SINISTER CINEMA)on Ebay, but they're selling their English-language 8mm print of Carl Dreyer's VAMPYR. For those unfamiliar this is a weird narrated re-edit done in the early 30s, because the US distributor had no idea what to do with Dreyer's masterpiece, for audiences eager to see more films like DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN.

It's quite a curiosity, and I have never, never, never, seen a print of it in any format come to market. All video versions are sourced from VHS tapes of this Sinister Cinema 8mm print. If I could actually project 8mm sound, I'd be all over it.

castle of doom ebay

[ November 27, 2016, 12:13 AM: Message edited by: Timothy Ramzyk ]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on November 26, 2016, 11:23 AM:

It is fairly rare, but does turn up occasionally. I haven't seen a sound version though, so that would appear to make it rare. I once had a standard 8mm version of it, which i sold years ago, very poor quality.

Posted by Timothy Ramzyk (Member # 718) on November 26, 2016, 11:40 AM:

I've had a Super 8 Sound print of Vampyr (from Thunderbird), and I think Niles had it too, but I've never seen the CASTLE OF DOOM. Since I'm kind of a Vampyr freak it's got my keen interest.

I can't imagine how a silent print of this edit would play since it's whole restructuring was allow for narration, which frequently took license on Dreyer's concept.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on November 28, 2016, 12:56 PM:

There's narration on it? Ruins the movie, surely??

Posted by Timothy Ramzyk (Member # 718) on November 28, 2016, 02:59 PM:

Sure, it's far from the ideal way to see VAMPYR (thus far that honor goes to either the Eureka or Criterion DVD restorations), but for fans of the film it is a great curiosity and definite rarity to any format. Essentially it seems to be a 1934 "roadshow" reediting, that was no doubt approved by no one.

One thing that also might appeal to collectors is that this edit, though shorn of several minutes nonetheless does appear to contain the more graphic vampire staking shortened from restored European prints. This footage is not lost, and is an extra on the DVDs, but here it's part of the print itself (presuming this 8mm print mirrors the video transfer of this version).

For those curious, CASTLE OF DOOM can be viewed on Youtube.

Posted by Panayotis A. Carayannis (Member # 1220) on December 03, 2016, 01:49 AM:

Is the title of your prints,all you guys who have or,have seen it,VAMPYR or CASTLE OF DOOM ? I have recently acquired CASTLE.., a silent std 8 print but without any company logo or any writings on the leaders.Are all copies,from T'bird or Niles or whoever else carrying this title? As far as I remember,all 8 mm ads referred to it as VAMPYR.

Posted by Timothy Ramzyk (Member # 718) on December 06, 2016, 06:20 PM:

My Super 8 sound print of VAMPYR was from Thunderbird with the title "VAMPYR," and was a reel longer.

I see CASTLE OF DOOM went for $142.

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