Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

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Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

November 16th 2009 02:00

An American-Japanese-Hong Kong co-production, Vampire Hunter D (2000) is often called Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, so as not to confuse it with the original Japanese feature Kyûketsuki Hantâ D (1985) AKA Vampire Hunter D. But aside from being anime movies, the central character, D (short for Donleal), and the title, the movies are worlds apart in style and effectiveness.

Both movies are set in the far distant future (the 121st Century to be precise). In the original D is hired by a woman, Doris, who has been bitten by Count Magnus Lee after she trespasses in his domain whilst hunting marauding demons. Fearing for her life she enlists the services of the man known as “D” in order to hunt down the evil vampire. The movie was directed by Toyoo Ashida based on the novel Kyuuketsuki Hantaa D by Hideyuki Kikuchi. The Japanese-language version is much better than the American dub (made at the time), but unfortunately the movie has dated badly; the animation is simplistic, the storytelling is pedestrian, the tone uneven, and it’s frequently just downright silly.

D, the vampire hunter

Fifteen years later another of the author’s vampire novels, D – Yousatsukou, is used and a new story emerges. The director is now Yoshiaki Kawajiri (who helmed the wicked Wicked City) with American Jack Fletcher helming the English-language version (and what a woefully lame job he did with his Yank actors!). The most significant difference, which is the movie’s best element, is the stunning traditional cell animation and matte paintings. This is one of the most beautiful and evocative fantasy anime movies I’ve seen, with a more compelling adult-edged story.

Meier Link

In a far–off apocalyptic future on Earth where vampires once ruled the night but have seen their numbers reduced by fearless bounty hunters comes D, the half-breed son of a human mother and vampire father, the most legendary hunter of them all. When Charlotte, a sweet girl from a rich family, is abducted from her home by the sleek blond vampire Meier Link, her father contracts both D and the Markus brothers (a rival group of renegade hunters) in a race to retrieve her. As they battle with assorted demons and monsters across a ravaged, derelict, and mysterious landscape, they begin to suspect that the girl may have gone with Link willingly. Then vampire queen Carmila enters the picture, and the blood thickens.

Leila and Charlotte

The Bloodlust DVD version distributed in Australia by Madman is the American dub. It’s a shame the Japanese version (made third after the English and Cantonese language versions) isn’t available as an alternate soundtrack as the American voices are utterly disengaging. The worst cast is Andrew Philpot as the voice of D, John Rafter Lee is not much better as Link, and the voice of D’s left hand (Michael McShane) is annoying as hell. Only Pamela Segall and Matt McKenzie are bearable as Leila and Borgoff, respectively. The way the American actors have been recorded the dialogue has no presence, or to be more precise, it all sounds like it’s been recorded in the same small echo-less chamber. I was convinced by the end of the movie that it would play better as a silent movie, well, certainly preferably to the American dub. It didn’t help that the dialogue was dire (I’m curious as to whether it was written that way, or is simply a poor translation from the Japanese?)

The movie is a strange mix of sci-fi, horror, Western, and fantasy that looks like it’s been pulled from the pages of Heavy Metal magazine (in fact, it would probably work quite well in a French-language dub). The humour, most of which is in the dialogue from D’s Left Hand, is flat and unfunny. But the visual style is so very strong, with powerful images and montages that linger. The retro classic, futuristic and industrial armoury and the neo-Gothic design of Carmila’s castle, is fantastic, as are many of the phantasmogorical creatures that scurry and slither, fly and pounce throughout the hunters’ pursuit, whilst the violence and battle scenes are executed with panache.

Despite the movie’s flaws it is one of the best anime movies of its time. It’s certainly a darkly poetic tale; of heroism, vampirism, immortal love, loneliness and desire. The final confrontations are vivid and haunting. The final scene – an epilogue - is steeped in poignancy, a floating melancholy that has drifted with the movie the entire time; finally laid to rest.

Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust Charlotte, Link, and Carmila

Charlotte, Meier Link and Carmila

Vampire Hunter D is probably the most intriguing and original animated feature tale of vampirism ever. Blood: The Last Vampire (2000) lurks in the shadows, but that’s a short film, not a feature.

A big-budget live action popcorn version of Vampire Hunter D would be way cool, with the following A-listers: George Clooney as Borgoff, Emily Blunt as Charlotte, Viggo Mortensen as Meier Link, Lindsay Lohan as Leila, Tilda Swinton as Carmila, and Orlando Bloom as D. The movie could be directed by Zack Snyder in a similar violent and sensual vein as 300.

Here's the trailer:

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust DVD is courtesy of Madman Entertainment, many thanks!

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

3 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Matt Shea

November 18th 2009 05:59

20/20 Filmsight

Another fantastic review, Bryn - I've had trouble keeping up with your output recently! This sounds like interesting stuff, despite the dodgy dub. I love Wicked City (BTW, have you ever seen the live action version?).

Talking about the dubs though - this is what s**ts me about watching anime in these parts: most of the time you never really know if you're getting the film as its makers intended it. And so many of the American voice actors are used over and over again: 'Oh, it's that guy...' It makes me hesitant to invest in anime releases when you can't quite be sure of the final product.

Comment by Bryn

November 18th 2009 06:52

Horrorphile

Hey Matt, definitely one to check out ... I'd love to see the live action version of Wicked City, I've heard about it. Is it as wicked as the anime?
As for the American dubs, those voice actors must be paid pittance, that's all I can think. They have about as much conviction as a piece of stale toast. Obviously this movie was designed as an English-language movie, with the characters looking as they do, and that it had American financing, so why couldn't they have done a better job with the dub??

Comment by Anonymous

January 10th 2010 00:14

salut vampire hunter d
qu tu ma fartes suir mon bras a moi
ma court suir bras gauch
esr avec dans dents suir
mon bras dev melle

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