"The Fearless Vampire Killers" review by Zarban (no spoilers)

The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) is a Roman Polanski version of a Hammer horror film. It stars Polanski and a cartoonish scientist, on the hunt for vampires, and Polanski's soon-to-be-wife Sharon Tate as the object of the local count's desires. It climaxes in a vampire ball with predictable shenanigans.

The film was taken away by MGM, who changed the music and title (from Dance of the Vampires) to make it more farcical. But the movie was already campier than the Hammer stuff, so now it comes off as rather corny at times. Still, it has two things going for it: money and Tate. It looks richer and more beautiful than any Hammer film I've seen, and Sharon Tate is one of the most beautiful women ever filmed. She's great in the role (Polanski was reportedly relentless in getting the right take), and Polanski himself is quite charming as the introverted assistant vampire killer.

The film is nicely moody much of the time and should have been more of a black comedy; Polanski just has an unsophisticated sense of humor. As it is, if you like Hammer horror and Polanski, it's kind of a treat despite some flaws.

Last edited by Zarban (2012-08-26 23:22:48)