Vampire circus dvd cut/uncut status

[Mark Ashworth]

I notice that some internet sites - notably Rewind - are now claiming that the original Carlton UK dvd of VAMPIRE CIRCUS was in fact cut. The BBFC only lists cuts for the original theatrical release, stating that all subsequent video/dvd releases were passed with no cuts made. Bearing in mind that Rewind is a site that sometimes raises more questions about dvds than it actually answers, can anyone here shed more light on the claim that the Carlton disc does not restore footage originally cut at the behest of the UK censor in the early '70s? I assume that the more recent UK dvd from Strawberry Media used the same master.
BTW, has anyone here got anything to say about the US Synapse blu ray/dvd combo pack? Some reviewers claim it's much too dark and that the Carlton disc is actually a better way to see the film.

[dobrien]

So far as I know, all DVD and Blu ray releases of VAMPIRE CIRCUS are the UK cinema version. I've looked at the UK (Carlton), Italian and Japanese DVDs, and the German Blu ray, and while they are derived from different sources, the content is the same. I don't know if the film played in any markets without the UK censor cuts. If so, this footage seems to be long gone, making any restoration impossible. The cuts have been listed elsewhere and include a villager being stabbed in the eye by the Count during the precredits sequence. The character is still visible in some shots, standing in the background with an extra long stake, but just disappears from the action.

I haven't seen the Synapse Blu ray, as I can't play region A discs, but have read comments about some scenes being too dark. There is also a line of dialogue missing ('I don't know how to thank you'), though the accompanying footage is still there. The German Blu ray employs the same master and the line is still missing, but the contrast issues linked with the Synapse release have been addressed. It looks fine to me, though don't expect a huge upgrade from DVD quality.

[Mark Ashworth]

Thanks for you help!