Feuillade's Les Vampires
Louis Feuillade • France • 1915
The undisputed master of the espionage serial, Louis Feuillade crafted films with labyrinthine plots and unforgettable characters, influencing multiple generations of filmmakers. Comprised of ten episodes, and clocking in at nearly seven hours in duration, Les Vampires is an unqualified masterpiece. The series follows journalist Philippe Guérande in his efforts to expose a vast criminal organization known as the Vampires. Joined by a comical sidekick, Mazamette, and often competing against a rival gang lord, Guérande dethrones a succession of the Vampires' Grand Masters. But most evasive of all is the Vampires' muse, a seductive assassin who performs her job with deadly grace: Irma Vep. Authorized by the Gaumont Studios, this edition was mastered in HD from the 35mm restoration produced in 1996 by the Cinémathèque Française under the supervision of Feuillade's grandson, Jacques Champreux.
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Les Vampires, Episode 1: The Severed Head
Louis Feuillade • France • 1915
Philippe Guérande, a reporter investigating a criminal ring known as the Vampires, receives notice that Inspector Durtal's body was found in the swamps near Saint-Clement-Sur-Cher. He spends the night in a nearby castle owned by an old friend of his father.
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Les Vampires, Episode 2: The Ring That Kills
Louis Feuillade • France • 1915
The Grand Vampire learns that ballerina Marfa Koutiloff, Philippe's fiancée, will perform a ballet called The Vampires. To prevent her from exposing the Vampires, he gives Marfa a poisoned ring before her performance.
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Les Vampires, Episode 3: The Red Codebook
Louis Feuillade • France • 1915
Philippe tries to decode a red booklet he found on the Grand Inquisitor's body. Following clues, he arrives at "The Howling Cat," where Irma Vep is performing. The Grand Vampire wants Irma to get the booklet back from Philippe.
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Les Vampires, Episode 4: The Spectre
Louis Feuillade • France • 1916
The Grand Vampire, under disguise as a real estate broker, meets businessman Moréno, who is looking for an apartment with a safe. Irma learns that a Mr. Metadier has to transfer a large sum of money to another branch. Soon after, Mr. Metadier is murdered. When Irm...
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Les Vampires, Episode 5: Dead Man's Escape
Louis Feuillade • France • 1916
The magistrate from Saint-Clement-Sur-Cher is assigned to the Vampire case and Moréno. Moréno kills himself using a concealed capsule in his cell. During the night he wakes up alive, and escapes. While writing of the events, Philippe is pulled out of his window b...
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Les Vampires, Episode 6: Hypnotic Eyes
Louis Feuillade • France • 1916
Moréno is looking for clues to lead him to the Vampires, and reads in a paper that a notary has been murdered. Philippe and Mazamette see a newsreel on the murder, in which they recognize Irma and the Grand Vampire. They head to Fontainebleau to investigate
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Les Vampires, Episode 7: Satanas
Louis Feuillade • France • 1916
Moréno tries to rid a mysterious stranger from his home, but he is paralyzed. The man reveals himself to be the true Grand Vampire, Satanas. While at a cabaret Moréno and Irma receive a note from Satanas saying they will see proof of his power at two o'clock.
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Les Vampires, Episode 8: The Thunder Master
Louis Feuillade • France • 1916
Irma is to be sent to a penal colony in Algeria. Satanas follows Irma's route in disguise as a priest. At the port, he gives religious comfort to the prisoners, and send's Irma a secret message. Philippe finds that the explosive that hit the "Happy Shack" came fro...
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Les Vampires, Episode 9: The Poisoner
Louis Feuillade • France • 1916
Venomous learns that Philippe is engaged to Jane Bremontier, and Irma's maid hears their upcoming engagement party will be catered by the famous Béchamel House. Venomous cancels Philippe and Jane's catering order, and the Vampires appear at the party instead.
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Les Vampires, Episode 10: The Terrible Wedding
Louis Feuillade • France • 1916
Philippe and Jane, newly married, hire Augustine Charlet to be their chambermaid. Madame d’Alba, a Vampire, hypnotizes Augustine to unlock the door of Philippe's apartment at 2 am. Mazamette, who has taken to Augustine, awakens and sees her descend the stairs.
