Here we are again with another installment of EVERYONE'S A CRITIC, the feature that puts YOU in the reviewers seat right on the front page of Fangoria.com.
This time we feature Richard A. Ekstedt and his take on a classic Italian vampire film presented by Dark Sky Films, SLAUGHTER OF THE VAMPIRES. If you dig Hammer, A.I. and Amicus, then read on and discover a truly underrated gem...
I've always had a special fondness for this film. The last time I saw it on commercial television was near the end of the 1960's around Thanksgiving while visiting my late Aunt Cheta's house in upstate New York, playing on the old WOR Channel 9. It was very late at night and my Aunt got up and found me watching this old black and white film, and sat down to view it with me. When she saw the rather top-heavy actress Graziella Granata, my Aunt laughed and uttered "Boy! Am I jealous!!". Aunt Cheta didn't stay to see the end of a film I had pretty much watched over a hundred times, but I did. Now, thanks to Dark Sky Films, I can watch it many more times over and over again...
This time we feature Richard A. Ekstedt and his take on a classic Italian vampire film presented by Dark Sky Films, SLAUGHTER OF THE VAMPIRES. If you dig Hammer, A.I. and Amicus, then read on and discover a truly underrated gem...
I've always had a special fondness for this film. The last time I saw it on commercial television was near the end of the 1960's around Thanksgiving while visiting my late Aunt Cheta's house in upstate New York, playing on the old WOR Channel 9. It was very late at night and my Aunt got up and found me watching this old black and white film, and sat down to view it with me. When she saw the rather top-heavy actress Graziella Granata, my Aunt laughed and uttered "Boy! Am I jealous!!". Aunt Cheta didn't stay to see the end of a film I had pretty much watched over a hundred times, but I did. Now, thanks to Dark Sky Films, I can watch it many more times over and over again...The film is pretty simple and straight forward- a vampire and his female partner in crime are being chased by a mob after murdering a young girl. The mob catches and kills the female but the male vampire (Dieter Eppler), an unnamed count or aristocrat, escapes. Fleeing to a castle just before dawn (which he possibly owned at one time as he seems to know his way around), he hides in his coffin in the cellar.
Later, a party is going on in the castle as the owners, Wolfgang (Walter Brandi) and his wife Louise (Graziella Granata), entertain the guests, talking about how the estate was neglected and now has been restored. The vampire crashes the party as Louise starts playing the piano for her guests, and in a scene similar to the Hammer Film KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, Louise start's to feel the undead influence as she plays ("it was this house, the atmosphere of the park."). The vampire, mingling with the guests, gets Louise to dance with him, using his power of domination. Louise then excuses herself and retires, and as she's getting ready for bed discovers she is not alone, at which time the vampire seduces and feeds on her. Later, after repeated attacks, the family doctor is unable to account for Louise's increasing blood loss and sends Wolfgang to a specialist, Professor Nietzsche (Luigi Batzella, going under the name 'Paolo Solvay'). The Professor understands the condition all too well and goes back to the castle with Wolfgang to discover it is too late. Louise rises undead and attacks her husband, trying to enlist him into the ranks of the undead. It is now a battle of light and darkness, as Nietzsche must save not only Wolfgang but also a young child.
Later, a party is going on in the castle as the owners, Wolfgang (Walter Brandi) and his wife Louise (Graziella Granata), entertain the guests, talking about how the estate was neglected and now has been restored. The vampire crashes the party as Louise starts playing the piano for her guests, and in a scene similar to the Hammer Film KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, Louise start's to feel the undead influence as she plays ("it was this house, the atmosphere of the park."). The vampire, mingling with the guests, gets Louise to dance with him, using his power of domination. Louise then excuses herself and retires, and as she's getting ready for bed discovers she is not alone, at which time the vampire seduces and feeds on her. Later, after repeated attacks, the family doctor is unable to account for Louise's increasing blood loss and sends Wolfgang to a specialist, Professor Nietzsche (Luigi Batzella, going under the name 'Paolo Solvay'). The Professor understands the condition all too well and goes back to the castle with Wolfgang to discover it is too late. Louise rises undead and attacks her husband, trying to enlist him into the ranks of the undead. It is now a battle of light and darkness, as Nietzsche must save not only Wolfgang but also a young child.
The Italian 'Golden Age" of horror started in 1956 with I VAMPIRI (THE DEVIL'S COMMANDMENT) from Riccardo Frieda and continued through LA MASCHERA del DEMONIO (MASK OF SATAN/BLACK SUNDAY), ending in 1966 with UN ANGELO per SANTANA (AN ANGEL FOR SATAN). During these years Italy exported numerous horror films to cash in on the box office returns of American International, Hammer Films and Amicus. Several of these featured Walter Brandi, including L'AMANTE del VAMPIRO (THE VAMPIRE AND THE BALLERINA), L'ULTIMA PREDA del VAMPIRO (THE PLAYGIRLS AND THE VAMPIRE) and IL MOSTRO DELL'OPERA (THE VAMPIRE OF THE OPERA).
The Dark Sky Films DVD release of SLAUGHTER OF THE VAMPIRES is the very best presentation on the market and it is obvious the people who produced this disc went out of their way to create a real labor of love. While I personally feel the picture is a little overmatted (the film was shot 1:66:1) and the sound a bit tinny at times, watching this film is a joy, bringing back memories of either Saturday night at the drive-in or sitting before the tube for late night television. The image is pretty clear for a film that most people have only seen via dupey television presentations.The alternate title trailer, CURSE OF THE BLOOD GHOULS, is included, but the real treasure is a great interview with actor Dieter Eppler, who talk's about this movie and how he was cheated by the production out of a great deal of money. The interview is in German with English subtitles.
This DVD is well worth getting and can be found on Amazon or various store outlets. Personally...this is a nice little movie you can sink your teeth into...(but please hold the garlic!!!!)
The Dark Sky Films DVD release of SLAUGHTER OF THE VAMPIRES is the very best presentation on the market and it is obvious the people who produced this disc went out of their way to create a real labor of love. While I personally feel the picture is a little overmatted (the film was shot 1:66:1) and the sound a bit tinny at times, watching this film is a joy, bringing back memories of either Saturday night at the drive-in or sitting before the tube for late night television. The image is pretty clear for a film that most people have only seen via dupey television presentations.The alternate title trailer, CURSE OF THE BLOOD GHOULS, is included, but the real treasure is a great interview with actor Dieter Eppler, who talk's about this movie and how he was cheated by the production out of a great deal of money. The interview is in German with English subtitles.
This DVD is well worth getting and can be found on Amazon or various store outlets. Personally...this is a nice little movie you can sink your teeth into...(but please hold the garlic!!!!)
CAST
Walter Brandi (listed as Brandy), Dieter Eppler, Graziella Granata, Paolo Solvay (Luigi Batzella), Gena Gimmy, Alfredo Rizzo, Edda Ferronao, Maretta Procaccini,
Walter Brandi (listed as Brandy), Dieter Eppler, Graziella Granata, Paolo Solvay (Luigi Batzella), Gena Gimmy, Alfredo Rizzo, Edda Ferronao, Maretta Procaccini,
PRODUCTION
Story/Screenplay/Director...Roberto Mauri
Production Manager...Luigi Pinini D'oliva
Film Editor...Jenner Menghi
Art Direction...Giuseppe Ranieri
Assistant Director...Franco Longo
Make Up ...Carlo Grillo
Sound Recording...Nino Renda. Fausto Ancillai
English Language Version... Nevada S.P.A.
Music...Aldo Piga
Director of Photography...Ugo Brunelli
Producer...Dino Sant'Ambrogio (A.D.C.)
alanrowekelly makes this comment
Mon 16 Feb 2009 13:35:06 CST