Filmed for around $3 million dollars, "The Breed" is another attempt to revisit the vampire genre with a few new twists. Set in an undetermined future, the totalitarian N.S.A. has made a pact with the leader of the world's 4000 vampires to step out from their hiding places and live among humans without reprisal. When a detective is murdered by a renegade vampire, his partner - Bokeen Woodbine - is ordered to solve the case with veteran Adrian Paul - a vampire with a tragic and vengeful past.

Filling out the remaining cast are Bai Ling as the exotic love interest and decorative blood-drinker (penetrating human flesh is a no-no), and Peter Halasz as the vampire leader. Veteran James Booth, best known for his role in Cy Endfield's "Zulu" (1964) also has a small role, along with a fleeting Reed Diamond.

South African commercial and video director Michael Oblowitz deliberately went after a unique, non-Gothic look for the film, and though edited in a rather awkward style, Oblowitz' decision to shoot the movie in Hungary pays off with some truly fascinating locations. As an unidentified U.S. state, it's a bit far-fetched, but the grand Soviet architecture and authentic subterranean tunnels, captured in moody, gliding Steadicam cinematography, gives the film a nice polish.

Star Adrian Paul and director Oblowitz manage to contribute an affectionate commentary track, the highlight being a guided tour of filming in a central European country. Consistent praise is given to the local technicians and talent, and Oblowitz spends a great deal of time articulating his costume and art direction choices, which evoke past human tragedies and lend the film subtle political subtext.

Columbia's anamorphic transfer is very clean, with the film's numerous noirish sequences benefiting from fine blacks and grays. The 5.1 soundtrack contains a few effective ambient tricks, and composer Roy Hay (formerly Culture Club's lead guitarist) delivers an effective, functional score that makes good use of the surround sound environment.

© 2001 Mark R. Hasan