Don Sharp’ 1963 vampire movie for Hammer was one of the first horror films this critic saw, and probably gave an unrepresentative sample of the quality of what was to come next. While most horror films go for the jugular in no short order, Sharp wasn’t a genre fan, and he constructs his film very differently from the Hammer norm, which is a good thing. The result is far more sophisticated than most horror or vampire movies, and the restraint is to be commended.
The story is fairly familiar; a young couple Gerald and Marienne (Edward De Souza and Jennifer Daniel) find their car has broken down in turn of the century Bavaria, and happen on a vampire cult led by the sinister Dr Ravna (Noel Willman). Van Helsing-lite Professor Zimmer (Clifford Evans) is on the case, staking out a coffin-bound vampire in the bloody opening sequence, and not afraid to use black magic against the vampire hoards in a dramatic finale.
Between these two set pieces, there’s a very slow period-film burn as letters and telegrams are delivered by carriage, cars take weeks to repair, and proceedings generally unfold at the speed of a rain-interrupted test match. AKA Kiss of Evil, The Kiss of the Vampire is in colour, which is notable in that it looks fantastic with all manners of greens and golds, and the genteel pace gives it a unique flavour; it’s rare to praise a horror for earnestness and conviction, but that’s what Sharp’s film has.
An ideal ‘first horror movie’ for curious children and teens, The Kiss of the Vampire may be tame by today’s standards, but it’s also a fun example of a template that got bogged down in sex, violence and derivative ideas. It’s also clearly the template for Roman Polanski’s The Fearless Vampire Killers; the richly-textured masked ball scene in particular, and while the bat-army finale would all be done with CGI now, it still packs a bloody punch.
Posted as part of the momumental internet-breaking event The Third Hammer Amicus Blogathan, thanks to Gill and Barry for the heads up!
A vampire movie minus the usual suspects sound a good reason to cheer. I wish more were constructed on a slow-burn basis, focusing on drama and character rather than cleavage, teeth and sensation.
Agian, it’s on youtube, and worth digging up. I really like the slow pace and lots of character work, makes it one to savour for buffs….
Will check it out. I’ve liked those horror pictures with more atmosphere than sensation.
And promote it too on Twitter… So read your post and this one is definitely worth a look thanks to your always captivating post. Not seen it or heard of it, so will add it to the watch list. Thanks for joining, and there is another blogathon being announced in early November which is right up your street…
Forgot to mention, we will link to your post and comment on it… so will be back…
I can still accept this one if you adding it for the Hammer and Amicus Blogathon.. just let me know
Not sure if you are as you didn’t include a banner or mention the blogathon.
Please do! Sorry I’m not up to speed on the sp, but happy to add any text!
Cool, in Blogathons you usually add a banner and give a shout out and link to the hosts. I will add you to the post for tonight as I am accepting posts still because of the timezones. Barry, my cohost will add you too.
Apologies, I’m a social media numpty! Off to the flicks, but I’ve added a shout-out and the banner to the post! Thanks!
Thanks, not to worry there is always a lot to get your head round with these blogathons. Thanks for joining.
♪I kissed a vampire♪
♪And I liked it♪
but I was just saying that to her so she wouldn’t kill me. It worked and I’m still alive and kicking…
Is that song number six from your collection of five? Katy Perry I presume?
Tada, you win! That’s about the only line I know and I’m not even sure I know the tune 😀
I never thought of you as a Katy Perry kind of guy.
What do I win?
I’m not. Which is why I only know that one line.
Free coffee for life. You fly over here each morning and I’ll pour you a free cuppa….
From a pot or a kettle?
Your choice. But they’re both black….
My kettle is silver. I just got my old one out of the shed to give my mom because her old one melted. All three kettles are silver. Fcat!
Well, I won’t be using your kettle. You want your free coffee, you’re getting it from my black kettle or pot. If you don’t like it, I’ll let Katie Perry serenade you while you drink it. Because I’m sure THAT will help 😀
So your mam’s melted. A tempest in a teapot!
Kettles should not melt. As much use as a chocolate teapot.
I bet Willy Wonka uses a chocolate tea pot….
Will Wonka is not a real person faCT!
He’s in books AND movies. I’d say that makes him more real than 99% of the people on the planet.
Books and movies aren’t always true either. FACt!
What crazy world are you living in? Everyone knows movies are true and tv even trueer!
The only movie that is true is Smurfs; The Lost Village. Fact!
I’m going to have to chartreuse card you for overusing FaCtS!
fACt!
You can’t have enough facts! None of your liberal movies and tv nonsense! Get real!
😀
It’s a new genre!
That made me laugh! Melodramarama!