I saw this flick about a week ago and I have put off writing about it. Why you ask? Because I didn't like it- and I hate admitting I didn't like a Hammer Film Production. I LOVE Hammer films. The atmosphere, the costumes, the ridiculously beautiful women, Lee and Cushing: what is not to like? But Kiss of the Vampire is a rare misfire. Yes, the classic Hammer Gothic atmosphere is there (I want my apartment to like a Hammer castle: it is getting there), and the women are ridiculously beautiful, but something is missing. I know what it is: a compelling storyline. Kiss of the Vampire is about newlyweds Gerald and Marianne who are honeymooning in Bavaria (Hawaii too bourgeoisie?) Their "motor coach" breaks down and they are forced to spend a few nights in the village "Grand Hotel" until they can procure fuel (this is set early 20th I think.) While they await salvation they are invited to dinner by Dr. Ravna, the most exalted member of this small community. While attending the dinner, Marianne (the beautiful Jennifer Daniel) seems to fall under a spell. Later we learn that Dr. Ravna is the leader of a Vampire Cult (think "Heaven's Gate) and he has decided that Marianne is to be his new recruit. Poor Gerald is left in the dust until he recruits the local crazy, Professor Zimmer, a Van Helsing stand-in, to help him win back his blushing bride. Spoiler Alert: in the end all of the Vampires are killed by bats (ironic.) Snooze: the end. This is the first Hammer film that I actually was bored watching. Maybe I was just missing Christopher Lee (horror crush.) Maybe I was just so stressed out by my new job I couldn't enjoy it (which doesn't compute because horror is a stress relief for me.) Whatever the case: Pass on Kiss of the Vampire. Goodnight.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Kiss of the Vampire 1963
I saw this flick about a week ago and I have put off writing about it. Why you ask? Because I didn't like it- and I hate admitting I didn't like a Hammer Film Production. I LOVE Hammer films. The atmosphere, the costumes, the ridiculously beautiful women, Lee and Cushing: what is not to like? But Kiss of the Vampire is a rare misfire. Yes, the classic Hammer Gothic atmosphere is there (I want my apartment to like a Hammer castle: it is getting there), and the women are ridiculously beautiful, but something is missing. I know what it is: a compelling storyline. Kiss of the Vampire is about newlyweds Gerald and Marianne who are honeymooning in Bavaria (Hawaii too bourgeoisie?) Their "motor coach" breaks down and they are forced to spend a few nights in the village "Grand Hotel" until they can procure fuel (this is set early 20th I think.) While they await salvation they are invited to dinner by Dr. Ravna, the most exalted member of this small community. While attending the dinner, Marianne (the beautiful Jennifer Daniel) seems to fall under a spell. Later we learn that Dr. Ravna is the leader of a Vampire Cult (think "Heaven's Gate) and he has decided that Marianne is to be his new recruit. Poor Gerald is left in the dust until he recruits the local crazy, Professor Zimmer, a Van Helsing stand-in, to help him win back his blushing bride. Spoiler Alert: in the end all of the Vampires are killed by bats (ironic.) Snooze: the end. This is the first Hammer film that I actually was bored watching. Maybe I was just missing Christopher Lee (horror crush.) Maybe I was just so stressed out by my new job I couldn't enjoy it (which doesn't compute because horror is a stress relief for me.) Whatever the case: Pass on Kiss of the Vampire. Goodnight.
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4 comments:
Aw, that's too bad, Kiss of the Vampire is one of my favorite Hammers. Probably the best without Lee or Cushing in it. Maybe you should try it again when the new job stress has died down! Believe me, I'm going through it now lol.
I actually love this one! I reviewed it a couple of weeks ago and gave it a decent review, I love that paranoia about the wife getting stolen by the cult!
And I love the masquerade ball sequence, plus that crazy priest character!
I seem to be in the minority on this one- B-Sol could be right: I have new job stress- I will wait a while and watch it again: like I said: I love Hammer and I am almost embarassed to admit I didn't like this one. Good idea for a post: movies you hated when you first saw and then grew to love........
Nah, I agree, there was something missing in this one compared to other Hammers. Oh well. Hope your apartment is looking Hammer-ific!
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