With a nod to Halloween tomorrow, I recently watched the comedy horror film, The Fearless Vampire Killers from 1969.
I remember watching it as a kid sometime in the Seventies on TV I think. I don't think I've seen it available on the telly since. Is that right?
I always liked the look of it though, the snowscapes, the castle and above all the garish costumes of the dancing vampire assembly.
The acting was superb as well; Alfie Bass as the hilarious innkeeper and Count von Kronach, the boss vampire; the bumbling Professor; Polanski his assistant and the hypnotic Sharon Tate.
One thing that was missing from the film I saw this summer online was an animation I remember being at the start. A sort of swirling cartoon of vampires and the hunters. What's happened to that?
I know the film has a chequered history in terms of names and countries - its also called Dance of the Vampires - but where is the intro cartoon now?
Can anyone find it online?
Oh, and do you like the film?
I love this film, the bbc showed this a few times at Christmas around the early hours some 20 years ago, I think it alternated with Blazing Saddles, my favorite line was delivered by Alfie Bass after he was transformed into a vampire, when the Vampire killer's present him with a crucifix "Oi you got the wrong vampire!"
ReplyDeleteA wonderful vampire film, second only to Dracula with Gary Oldman. The scenery is wonderful, the music beautiful and the general cinematography is brilliant. What I like is Polanskis inclusion of the camp vampire, who goes from a delicate, effete aesthete to a slavering, raging beast in a few frames. The comedy is a bit heavy handed at places, but very much if its time. Its offset by the great ending, which leaves the audience in no doubt what the outcome would be. I think the animated sequence is a series of drawings at the beginning of the 'Dance of the Vampires' release, as the titles scroll up and blood drips off the heading.
ReplyDeleteThanks Woodsy, forgotten this film, which I really want to see again.
ReplyDeleteJust found it on line, so that is this evening's viewing!
eat plenty of garlic Andy!
ReplyDeleteTheres a rather goofy animation on the Warner Archive that I dont recall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx123EC7-eQ
and the original titles:
https://www.watchthetitles.com/titlesequence/the-fearless-vampire-killers/
I love that split opening shot where the landscape is in sections and then the sled appears. How did they do that?
DeleteGreat flick, one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see this film is still popular with MC readers!
ReplyDelete