Martin - The immortal edition

Cult director George A. Romero made Martin back in 1977 and although underrated at the time of its release, critics and fans today appreciate his film as a masterful reinvention of the vampire genre. Reason enough to release this low-budget horror gem as a special 2-disc collectors edition that certainly looks big budget!

Martin is the disturbing story of an insecure teenager who – despite lack of fangs and without aversion to daylight or crucifixes – believes he is an 84-year-old vampire compelled to drink the blood of humans. Although we’re never quite sure as to how much he really believes this and how much is just wishful thinking, we see his vampiric fantasies acted out in moody b/w sequences. The reality is somewhat different for Martin when he arrives in the drab town of Braddock, Pennsylvania, having drugged a young woman on the train and then slashed her wrists with a razorblade to drink her blood. Upon arrival in Braddock, he stays with his granduncle Tada Cuda, a superstitious old man who is convinced that nothing but evil comes from Martin and never misses a chance to tell him so. In fact, Tada warns him that he will be killed if he murders anyone in town.

Despite the warning, that’s precisely what happens as Martin continues to drug victims by injecting them with narcotics via syringe and then uses a razorblade to open their veins and suck from their precious red juice. His inhuman desires and needs are thrown into turmoil when he embarks on an affair with a frustrated older woman and he begins to question his vampiric cravings – leading to the film’s ironic ending that throws questions at us all.

Director Romero has a cameo role as an ineffectual priest in the movie, while other regulars like Tom Savini are also on board. However, it’s John Amplas’ terrific performance as the confused Martin that makes this modern day story of addiction, sexuality and obsession stand out from so many other vampire-themed films. Amplas’ portrayal manages to evoke repulsion and sympathy for his character in equal measures.

The double-CD set comes in a smart slipcase with transparent window for the various sleeve art options, as well as a double-sided poster and six original poster art postcards. Disc 1 contains the original theatrical cut plus a choice of 4:3 and 16:9 presentations, while Disc 2 contains Wampyr: The Italian Cut (with English subtitles) as well as ‘Making of Martin docu’, audio recollections, trailers, TV and radio spots and a German docu (dubt in English) about director Romero. An immortal edition indeed!