The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) User Reviews

Dance with Vampires!

[patita-1 · 8/10 · 3 June 2002]

The title "fearless vampire killers" it's not so good as "Dance of the Vampires",outside U.S. this is the original title

I always will remember this film as "Dance of the Vampires" ALSO,CONGRATULATIONS to Mr Polanski for the Palme D' Or, he deserves it(without him just cinema "boring")

I enjoyed poetic scenes such as like moment in Sarah's bath comparing the textures of first soap bubbles, then falling snowflakes, and finally crimson blood. when Alfred(Polanski) carries his master across the castle battlements remind me of Polanski early short films. Krystov Komeda's music has been acclaimed as "the most innovative and haunting score ever devised for a horror movie" by the heavyweight Aurum Film Encyclopedia. Krystof Komeda's wondrous music, with its weird choral effects and little melodies Komeda's score communicates the Kafka-like isolation of the setting and the characters

Polanski chose some of the finest English cinema craft artists to work on the film: cameraman Douglas Slocombe, production designer Wilfrid Shingleton Polanski engaged noted choreographer Tutte Lemkow, who played the actual Fiddler in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, for the film's climactic Danse Macabre minuet.

Sharon Tate as Sarah was delightful(we should remember her in a good way,as a decent actress and person,her scene with Polanski is really cool ,especially "the bite scene") Jack MacGowran as Professor Abronsius is just great Polanski's films often deal in contrasts of master and servant, the empowered and the powerless. The supposedly benign Abronsius bullies Alfred for his own purposes, just as the vampires consider all of humankind a resource to be harvested.

The character called Shagal got the best lines in the movie,when A woman thrusts a crucifix in his face, only for Shagal - a Jewish rather than a Christian vampire - to go "Oy-yoy! You got the wrong vampire" and bite her anyway Count Von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne, who plays the Count)he looks really as a Nosferatu or a man that needs Transfusion!.

Also funny is Herbert, the openly gay vampire who is interested in Alfred rather than Sara, the sexual deviations implicit in early Hammer films like The Brides of Dracula (1960) and Kiss of the Vampire (1964) are brought out. Hammer would increasingly exploit this in their lesbian

Fun, blood-sucking comedy

[jamesrupert2014 · 8/10 · 2 November 2017]

"The Fearless Vampire Killers" (aka "Dance of the Vampires") is a silly but enjoyable parody of vampire films, especially the contemporaneous Hammer series, with which it shares visual style. Director Polanski co-stars as Alfred, the bumbling assistant to dotty vampire-hunter Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran), as they infiltrate the decaying castle of dreaded Count von Krolock to rescue a beautiful village girl (played by Sharon Tate) with whom Alfred has become smitten (fiction presaging fact, as Tate later married Polanski). The comedy is generally broad and physical (including some sped up sequences), humorously contrasting with Polanski's and MacGowran's dead-pan delivery of a script that could be straight out of a 'real' horror film. The direction and cinematography is top-notch, especially the classic ball-room scene (itself parodied in 2014's "What We Do in the Shadows" mockumentary). I recently rewatched "The Fearless Vampire Killers" on TCM and, having seen the film as a kid, was surprised when it did not open with a cartoon. The reason for this is discussed elsewhere (e.g. Wikipedia; you can see the incredibly dated animated opening on You-tube). All in all, a goofy but fun film from a talented director that relentlessly spoofs a sometimes pretentious horror genre.

Not very funny but it does have Sharon Tate

[Red-Barracuda · 7/10 · 21 February 2013]

Dance of the Vampires isn't a very typical offering from Roman Polanski. This is his first colour feature film and up until this point his films were decidedly left-field and arty. This one is a considerably more commercial offering. It's effectively a parody of the British Hammer horror films that had been very popular up to this point. So its cultural references were fairly mainstream in the 60's. Set in the 19th century, it's about a professor and his assistant who travel to Eastern Europe seeking vampires. Before long they find themselves at the castle of the mysterious Count von Krolock.

The problem I have with this film is fairly straightforward – I don't find it very funny. The humour is very broad and present throughout. It ranges from the clever (a Jewish vampire who is unafraid of a crucifix) to the low-brow (lots of slapstick). It's occasionally amusing but rarely properly funny. So this is a bit of a problem in a film that is first and foremost a comedy. On the plus side it does look pretty, with nice snowbound landscapes and a Gothic castle to look at. The vampire's ball is also very good. But, for me, the single best aspect of Dance of the Vampires is easily Sharon Tate. She is achingly beautiful and provides a very welcome sensuality to proceedings. Her horrible murder two years later at the hands of the Manson Family clearly robbed the film world of someone quite considerable.

Dim Alfred, the vampire killer's apprentice has to learn fast if he's going to save the beautiful daughter of the Innkeeper.

[funnybunny-7 · 10/10 · 24 January 2007]

Brilliant movie - beautifully shot and with Polanski's eye for detail. Very funny/quirky and atmospheric. I loaned it to a work colleague who thought Polanski only made horror films like 'Rosemary's Baby', she was amazed when confronted with this one. She thought it was great. Everyone is always very impressed with the ballroom scene with all the mirrors and the vampires dancing. The colours are fabulous and the outside scenes remind one of s Christmas card. If it's ever on t.v. it's always on around midnight or after, so I had to buy the DVD. Definitely one to watch late at night when you're alone!! It took me years to find it on DVD. I think the one I eventually bought was an import.

One of the all-time great horror spoofs

[stew100 · 24 June 2000]

When I first saw this film on TV in the early 70s, I thought it was so cheesy I gave it very little attention. Then in the early 90s it was released on laserdisc in a letterboxed version and I bought it on a lark. After I viewed in the first time I still didn't think much of it and thought maybe I wasted my money. But then, as the years passed, I would look at it every so often and now I love the film. It is an acquired taste. You first have to love vampire films -- the old-fashioned, Gothic kind. Next, you need to appreciate Polanski's style and his understated approach. It's also best to watch this film late at night with the lights off, and especially with a snow storm outside. Give it a chance and this film will creep up on you. Hopefully it will come to DVD soon.

Excellent comedy and horror film , compellingly directed by Roman Polanski

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 29 September 2004]

The movie centers upon an old man (Jack McGowran) and a young (Roman Polanski) who go to track down a vampire count (Ferdy Mayne) who has abducted a countrywoman (Sharon Tate) and he hides her into his castle.

The film mingles terror , tongue-in-cheek , rip-roaring , humor , action and a lot of amusement . The runtime motion picture is overlong about two hours and some but isn't boring , but entertaining . Actors interpretation is good , Jack McGowran (being deceased after his playing in ¨The Exorcist¨) is riveting as double of Einstein and Roman Polanski as shy and botcher young is cool . Sharon Tate (marriage to Polanski in real life until Charles Manson massacre) is beautiful and wonderful . Producer Martin Ransohoff discovered Sharon Tate and insisted that director Roman Polanski use her instead of Jill St. John who withdrew shortly before shooting as Polanski had planned .

Originally Roman Polanski wanted to shoot his film on location in and around a castle in Switzerland which he saw during a vacation , but as this was impossible, other locations in the Alps were found, along with studio shoots in England . While on location, Polanski employed dozens of local artisans to make the large numbers of coffins needed in the film . Polanski direction is first-class , Christopher Komeda music (being dead at 31 years after he composed ¨Rosemary's baby¨ music) is fascinating . Douglas Slocombe cinematography is atmospheric and colorful with a Hammer-alike photography . Flick will appeal to Polanski buffs and horror/humor enthusiasts. Rating 7/10 . Above average , well worth watching .

Great horror/comedy

[haristas · 10/10 · 11 July 2002]

I love Roman Polanski's "The Fearless Vampire Killers," which is surprising to me now because for most of my life I thought it was dreadful. I missed the original release back in 1967, but I was only eight years old then, and the version released in the U.S. was a truncated travesty of what Polanski intended. I've read that the movie was considered an almost complete fiasco because the executive producer, Martin Ransohoff, best known for "The Beverly Hillbillies," wanted a very different film and cut 16 minutes out of Polanski's 107 minute cut, inserted a short cartoon before the titles (so people would know it was supposed to be a comedy; Ransohoff thought Polanski botched it that badly), and even re-dubbed some of the actors. He also added the awful tag line to the title, "Or, Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck." This must have been the version I saw on TV in the early seventies and thought so terrible. Thankfully this abomination doesn't seem to be in circulation anymore. However, despite its flaws "The Fearless Vampire Killers" gained a cult following over the years, to a degree due to the morbid fascination with the murder of Sharon Tate, but also because the movie is really very good. Paramount's Robert Evans recognized this back in '67 and thought Polanski the right director for "Rosemary's Baby." He was right and the success of that film showed Hollywood what a master of the language of film Polanski is.

In 1983 MGM/UA Home Video released Polanski's original cut on cassette and on laserdisc (remember those?). On laserdisc it was letterboxed so you could enjoy the full Panavision frame, and included the alternate main title sequences from the bastardized version as an extra. For some reason, though I wasn't a fan of the film, I thought this was a disc I had to get, but after I first viewed it I wondered if I hadn't wasted my money. I still couldn't see what was so great about it. However, I didn't get rid of the disc and over the past nine years I've viewed the movie several times. I can't remember when I started to appreciate it, but now "The Fearless Vampire Killers" is one of my favorite movies.

Right from the main title sequence this film is really quite wonderful. Christopher Komeda's score is weird and haunting. The day-for-night shots of the snowy countryside are a bit distracting, but kind of fit the fairy tale quality of the film's isolated, late 19th century Transylvanian winter never land. The movie is extremely well-mounted with wonderful sets, especially the vampires' castle. All the performances are excellent. Jack MacGowran's Professor Abronsius is an absolutely incredible characterization, unlike anything else MacGowran ever did on film. The same is true of Alfie Bass' Yoine Shagal, possibly the world's first Jewish vampire, and a terrible lecher. Sharon Tate was probably never lovelier than in this movie, and Roman Polanski is very good as Alfred, in fact amazing when you consider he was also directing. It is a tour de force on his part. Finally, Ferdy Mayne's Count Von Krolock is a king vampire equal to any screen Dracula, while Iain Quarrier is also appropriately creepy as his gay vampire son, Herbert.

Like the drinking of blood (I would imagine!), appreciation of "The Fearless Vampire Killers" is very much an acquired taste. I don't know what to say to those that don't like it except, Why don't you try watching it again? It might grow on you as it did me. This movie also has one of the best one-sheet posters from the sixties, with art by Frank Frazetta. I hope this movie comes to DVD soon, especially with commentary by Polanski, but I've read that MGM considers the elements in need of restoration, so it may be a while. However, it should look great when it does get to DVD. I can't wait.

Oy vey, you have got the wrong vampire(hunters)...

[TheFinalAlias · 7/10 · 11 October 2009]

Well, since I'm reviewing films set in Romania(in preparation for my trip) that do not feature Dracula it was inevitable I would wind up reviewing this infamous Roman Polanski-directed horror-comedy, but with Polanski in the news as of late I felt I may as well cut to the chase, plus it would be nice to review something intentionally funny for a change. Granted, Polanski has made scarier films than this('The Tenant')and funnier ones(I shamelessly admit I've always had a soft-spot for 'Pirates'), and truth be told, the film itself is something of a mixed bag and certainly doesn't deserve Ken Hanke's description as 'Polanski's greatest film', heck, as a parody of Hammer films, I'd say that the 'Family Matters' Halloween special with Urkel as a vampire hunter was more successful than this film! But it's definitely something no fan of either Polanski or genre films should avoid, regardless of your personal feelings about Polanski.

The plot is fairly simple stuff; two vampire hunters named Abronsius(Jack MacGowran)& Alfred(Polanski himself) investigate kidnappings in a snowbound Transylvanian village(Abaraham Van Helsing & Simon Belmont must have been on vacation) and then decide to infiltrate the castle of the sinister Count Von Krolock(Ferdy Mayne)after a village girl(Sharon Tate, looking so lovely you almost feel like crying knowing what would happen to her in real life)is kidnapped by him. Being that this is a comedy, it goes without saying that our two heroes are a few transfusions short of a blood vessel(I'm going to kill myself for that joke), and after ending up in the castle and losing their weapons 'hilarity' ensues.

Truth be told, as typically excellent as this work is from a younger Polanski, he pretty much fails at creating an effective comedy so much as he succeeds at creating a light-hearted horror film. The jokes fall as flat as the characters do when they trip over coffins, and much of the "Senile old professor who has lost his mind but rambles on anyway" humor that comprises Abronsius's shtick(besides getting frozen, stuck and berating Alfred) is obviously too subtle for MacGowran to handle. That said, the film still manages to be quite amusing, with three laugh-out-loud hilarious sequences, such as when a Jewish vampire is confronted with a cross(That's where my heading quote for this review comes from), a later sequence where Alfred drops his weapons bag and it rolls down hill and keeps rolling for several minutes till it's out of frame(Matt Groening clearly was inspired by this gag for a 'Simpsons' episode where Homer falls down a gorge in a similar manner). Then there's the scene where Alfred almost falls victim to Krolock's gay son Herbert(Ian Quarrier). It may be a very homophobic sequence, but it's funny as hell, so much so that one wishes Quarrier was given an expanded role(He may well have had one, the film is supposedly extensively cut).

Polanski has shown himself to be a talented actor as well as director, but he falls flat in this, he's just too distant to come off as the goofy nebbish his character was intended to be(Roger Corman regulars Jonathan Haze or Dick Miller would have been better). As Abronsius; MacGowran clearly isn't suited to 'dialogue humor', but he's excellent when it comes to physical comedy, ranging from subtle body language(watch him cut up his food)to outrageous slapstick. He would have made an excellent silent comedian. Sharon Tate has little to do but look pretty, but she does that well. Alfie Bass is great as Shagal, a lecherous innkeeper turned vampire. It's clear that he was patterned after 'Groper' from Reeve's 'The She Beast' that I reviewed a few days ago. Ferdy Mayne gives an excellent performance as Krolock, he is genuinely menacing, but also, in his supreme confidence and surface politeness; quite a likable villain, certainly much more compelling than the heroes. His performance is good enough that it could carry a serious horror film. Ian Quarrier, as I said, steals the show in his small role. Clearly, Alucard from the Castlevania games(notably 'Symphony of the Night')was modeled after him appearance-wise.

If certainly not Polanski's best film, I must say that it is definitely one of his best-looking films. The sets and cinematography are breathtaking. I sure hope Transylvania is this scenic when I visit. Also for a comedy, the film has a genuinely eerie atmosphere. The creepy chanting music that plays when evil is lurking about is certainly more effective than the bombastic scores of Hammer films. The many scenes of silence help give the film a creepy, surreal feel. Perhaps had this film been made in the 'dialogueless but not silent' style of Dreyer's 'Vampyr' it would have worked better, both as horror and as comedy. The highlight of the scares is a 'vampire ball' where even the slapstick scenes cannot kill the ominous vibe of seeing walking corpses dancing elegantly, the breeze blowing in from the ocean as I watched this from my back porch certainly enhanced the mood. It's one of the most disturbing parodies of aristocracy I have ever seen. The ending is also surprisingly downbeat. The influence of 1961's 'Blood & Roses' and Hammer's 'Kiss of the Vampire' can clearly be felt. The relationship of Alfred & Abronsius seems to have been patterned after that of Hans & Baron Frankenstein from 'Evil of Frankenstein'(1964).

I may not have enjoyed this as much as the other films I've reviewed this month, but I still enjoyed the hell out of it. Don't miss it, You will find yourself transfixed by the snowy atmosphere and faux elegance.~

Dances with Vampires... it just doesn't get any better!

[Smells_Like_Cheese · 10/10 · 29 August 2001]

It's sad to say, whenever people ask me for a good vampire movie, one I do recommend is The Fearless Vampire Killers, they always look at me and ask "What's that?". But the 3 people I've shown it too loved it and I think that has got to say something about this great vampire classic. Writer, director and co-star Roman Polanski made the first real vampire spoof and what a great movie! If you think about today's spoofs, everything is always a reference to something that's in pop culture. This movie is just pure comedy, taking what was so typical at the time of the weary travelers who happen upon a creepy castle with the even creepier host, yet act completely oblivious when strange things happen. Instead, how about we have two vampire slayers, one who is calm and experienced vs. the inexperienced and nervous? While we're at it, why not add a ball into the mix? Dancing vampires, it just doesn't get any better than this.

In the heart of Transylvania Professor Abronsius and his apprentice Alfred are on the hunt for vampires. Abronsius is old and withering and barely able to survive the cold ride through the wintry forests, while Alfred is bumbling and introverted. The two hunters come to a small Eastern European town seemingly at the end of a long search for signs of vampires. The two stay at a local inn, full of angst-ridden townspeople who perform strange rituals to fend off an unseen evil. Whilst staying at the inn, Alfred develops a fondness for Sarah, the daughter of the tavern keeper Yoine Shagal. After witnessing Sarah being kidnapped by the local vampire lord, Count von Krolock, the two follow his snow trail, leading them to Krolock's ominous castle in the snow-blanketed hills nearby. They break into the castle, but are trapped by the Count's hunchback servant, Koukol. Despite misgivings, Abronsius and Alfred accept the Count's invitation to stay in his ramshackle Gothic castle, where Alfred spends the night fitfully. After finding Sarah the next day, they come up with a plan to destroy the count and save Sarah, but with a midnight ball in the mix of vampires, the plans might be a bit harder than they realized.

I think one of the funniest scenes in film history is when Roman Polanski is being chased by Count Krolock's feminine vampire son, Herbert. The seduction scene before that was too funny, but let's add Roman running around in a circle oblivious that he did just go around in a circle and runs right back into Herbert! The comedic timing was just gold! Sharon Tate is also in this film and she is just beautiful, you could see how Roman would fall in love with her on and off screen so easily. It's really sad that we lost her so young and so tragically, you see the talent that could have been. I also love Jack MacGowran, he's calm exterior to Roman's scaredy cat routine was the perfect balance the film needed. I nearly die laughing each time I see the scene where they are in the Count's bedroom about to stake him, but Jack gets stuck in the window and Roman chickens out on killing the count. He has to go around the castle to pull Jack out but gets distracted by Sharon Tate and when he finally realizes that he left Jack in the same room with blood sucking vampires, he just reeks with the "Oops!" face. The ballroom scene is so memorable, again, the comedic timing is great. Another thing about this film is that it also has some great scares in it too, some great make up effects with the Count. I highly recommend this film; I've been watching it since I was a little girl, I still love watching it all these years later and can't wait to show it to others as well.

10/10

A Bit Too Low on Horror and Comedy

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 17 April 2011]

This is a milestone film for Roman Polanski: one, it is his first film in color (and to the best of my knowledge he never went back). And two, he met actress Sharon Tate during the making of this film... they would soon be married and she would become pregnant.

The film, overall, was somewhat lacking for me. There is a minimum level of horror here, despite being a movie full of vampires. And the comedy is subtle, probably too subtle. If anything, maybe this film inspired Mel Brooks to make "Young Frankenstein", but I sincerely doubt that.

Polanski works well with psychological thrillers and horrors, but I think he misses the mark with his comedies. This one, along with "Cul-de-Sac", has not quite enough humor to really make it a "classic". Had anyone but Polanski (or some other "name") made it, I suspect it would have been long forgotten.

Long Stretches of Tedium with moments of slight chuckles...

[kitchent · 3/10 · 28 October 2009]

Saw this last night with the wife, and I'm not sure who could have thought this funny in 1967, much less now.

The Good - The sets (particularly the interiors) are really outstanding. The film looks great, both from cinematography and art direction. Sharon Tate is gorgeous. There are one or two moments of actual laughter. There are a couple of really creepy shots that work, but seem out of place in this film. The vampires are played well, and not for laughs for the most part. This one of the things that works in the film.

The Bad - Most of the "humor" would look juvenile in a Three Stooges film. Most scenes DRAG on and on pointlessly. Both of the main male leads are about as annoying as can possibly be. Not enough Sharon Tate.

There are a few interesting bits in this otherwise tedious film. The funniest bit was when the Roman Polanski character runs away from the gay vampire, but doesn't realize he is running in a circle that brings him right back. The joke was set up and shot well, and funnier because the audience can see it coming. The creepiest shot was looking down on the graveyard and the graves begin to open up with vampires creeping out of them. A great shot.

A 3 out of 10 simply for Sharon Tate and the few other positives.

„There's a smell of garlic sausage"

[fidomax · 9/10 · 4 December 2006]

When I think about R.Polanski the first thing coming to my mind is - "the master of fear and horror", and I knew it that "Fearless vampire Killers" is rare example of comedy by this great director. Yeah, I was worried before seeing this movie, not as much about "geting it", but more so about simple thing - could this movie be entertaining for "21st Century Boy".

First thing that striked me was beautiful music by Komeda. I was in total awe. The music was scary, but at the same time so light and funny - just like for a good fair story. And then the beautiful winter scenery that was so fake - almost cartooning. Few minutes into the movie, and I could say "that's what I call movie poetry".

The story is so simple. The old bat researcher, professor Abronsius and his assistant, Alfred, go to a remote Transylvanian village looking for vampires. They stay in house where no one speaks about vampires, but the garlic is hanging everywhere. Simplistic story is so right for this movie, because acting, scenery, music, cinematography are all in top shape here. For composition I think this is one of the best movie done by Polanski, next to "Tenant" for sure.

And this movie is also a rare occasion to see Polanski in comedic role. He and Brach make unforgettable duo. I was totally entertain when in came to comedy in this movie, but the thing that surprise me the most was the action factor. There is one scene that is great example of that - when Polanski character is looking through keyhole and is so scared of what he see that his face is screaming "terror". It's sure funny, but in a way mad-scary too. And when I think about this movie - this scene sums it up for me.

Its very funny, but little outdated movie. For me one a few really cinematic fairy tales, that keeps magic all the way to the end. Its up there with Repulsion, Tenant, and Tess when in comes to greatest work of this director.

And just think about brilliant ending, so funny, so mad. It's a shame Polanski hasn't made another comedy. Don't get me started with Pirates - the most unfunny movie in history. But "Fearless Vampire Killers " is movie magic - pure and simple.

Fun film to watch

[rosscinema · 7/10 · 10 December 2002]

This was a very fun film to watch and Polanski uses a lot of camera tricks to make this a visually interesting film. I heard that this was considered "Funny and Sexy" and it is very humorous but I can't consider it that sexy. He gets Sharon Tate in a film and she takes like three bath's but nothing else happens. No hiding behind a towel or anything. This definitely should have been a much more sexy film. Former boxing champion Terry Downes plays the hunchback and the scene towards the end when he uses a coffin to slide in the snow and chase after Polanski,The Professor and Tate is very funny. Great stagey sets and good costumes. Wonderfully filmed and a lot of fun! To bad its not sexier.

You can see Polanski becoming a great director...

[AlsExGal · 5/10 · 30 April 2016]

... but here he isn't quite there yet.

This vampire spoof never really gets off the ground, despite director Roman Polanski's best efforts. Cute opening credits get the viewer's hopes up for a farce. But the film is a mix of subtle spoof and occasional scares, and they just don't mix well. The film inspires the occasional smile or laugh. I liked the cinematography, the sets, and of course Sharon, but I thought there could have been a lot more jokes written into it. There seemed to be a lack of dialogue overall. The film finally gets moving in the last 40 minutes, and a few scenes attain slapstick comedy heights; most notably the scene in which Ian Quarrier's vampire makes a pass at Roman Polanski's vampire hunter. If the whole film was this funny, it would have been an undisputed classic. Instead, it is just a mild disappointment.

It's recently been on Turner Classic Movies, but until that time I remember seeing it last in the summer of 1976, on TV in the middle of the night, during the summer between finishing high school and starting college. My younger sister and I stayed up to watch it, and I remembered being somewhat bored with it at the time, and after giving it a chance recently, I was still somewhat bored. Back in 1976, I asked my sister, why did we both stay up to watch this? We both had to admit that it was because Sharon Tate was in it, neither of us had ever seen anything she had been in, and ultimately our curiosity was born from the famous Manson murder cases and how she died. I just remember sitting there at age 18, looking at that beautiful young lady and her husband to be, Mr. Polanski, who was to suffer the most tragic of losses, and thinking "someday you'll both be famous, but you don't want to know why".

The most beautiful film ever made

[info-110 · 10/10 · 21 April 2002]

This gem of a film is, at least to me, the most beautiful movie ever made. I highly recommend it to everyone who loves to be spellbound by fairy-tales and fairy-tale-like horror-films, by pictures of snow-heralded baroque-clad characters that remind us of our childhood experiences and childhood fears. If only at least 10% of all movies could be like that!

How funny is it supposed to be?

[bobsgrock · 21 May 2012]

Roman Polanski's tongue-in-cheek look at classic Gothic vampire stories takes a rather bizarre approach to its material by giving us two bumbling vampire hunters who seem to always lose their prey and never seem to be aware of their immediate surroundings. Is this supposed to be funny?

Apparently so, but because it is so unique in its approach, it will divide viewers and I happen to fall on the negative side. The story takes too long to set up before it lands at the setting where it is supposed to and Polanski and Jack MacGowran's acting leave something to be desired.

The only true bright spot of the film is the luminous presence of Sharon Tate, who shows with her flaming red hair and soft, pale complexion why Polanski fell for her and the potential she had as an actress. Knowing her grim destiny only adds to the heaviness of this picture, which is certainly one to forget amongst the Polanski oeuvre.

Tight horror comedy

[funkyfry · 7/10 · 9 October 2002]

Solid performances, a nice gothic look, and fine direction -- and it's a comedy! Sexy (instead of crass, like Warhol's) and funny story of 2 vampire killers who, this being a farce, can't get the job done. They're total idiots, an older Van-Helsing type and his assistant (played by the director) who has sex on the mind but can't realize his idealized woman (Tait) is a vampire. Should be a joy to all vampire film lovers and even people that are really sick of vampire movies.

what Poland once was, with a smile (revealing fangs)

[winner55 · 9/10 · 25 June 2006]

Well, what is this movie about? To begin with: although the vampire was best popularized in the modern era by English writers, it is really a myth of Eastern European Roman Catholicism. (I could explain that better - and why the English so well co-opted it - but obviously not here.) This type of Catholicism (which finally produced a Pope in John Paul II) now only thrives (and none too well) in Poland - Polanski's home country. During the Second World War, Poland was utterly decimated. First, a large portion of its wealthiest citizens, who happened to be Jewish, were exterminated. The Polish catholics themselves were split radically between anti-semitic nationalists (who also, mistakenly, thought the Nazis would save them from the Russians) and pro-Communists who, mistakenly, thought the Russians would save them from the Nazis. Obviously, this was a no-win situation for the Poles. And yet the first cinematic impression of this disaster arrived in the form of - a comedy - Ernst Lubitsch's "To Be Or Not To Be" (later remade by Mel Brooks).

Does the reader really need to know all this to appreciate this movie? actually, yes. This film is laughter at death's door. The funniest and most memorable line in the film is from the Jewish vampire, responding to a threatened crucifix: "Oy vey, have you got the wrong vampire!" Funny? - Hilarious. Unfortunately, if this Vampire had any grandchildren, they all died in Auschwitz.

Why am I playing such a heavy hand here? Because this really is a great horror-comedy, far better and far more important than the studio hacks at MGM who released this film (after chopping it up) could ever have understood.

There is unfortunately no rumor that there's a director's cut in the vaults; it is well to remember that Polanski nearly disowned this film on release, and really only reclaimed it after the brutal slaying of his wife, who plays such an important role in the film.

But even as shredded as it is (pay especially close attention to the discontinuities involving the Professor), this is still marvelously written, directed, and photographed - truly frightening at moments, utterly hilarious at others, but always grounded in a particularly Polish sensibility which is now, alas, a thing of the past; - the preservation of a culture that, at its best, was among the best in Europe.

Above-Average Vampire Spoof

[zardoz-13 · 7/10 · 5 April 2010]

Two incompetent vampire hunters, Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran of "Doctor Zhivago") and his bumbling assistant Alfred (Roman Polanski of "Rush Hour 3") venture to a remote village in Eastern Europe so they can substantiate the existence of vampires. "The Fearless Vampire Killers or Pardon Me But Your Teeth are in my Neck" is a spoof of vampire chillers in general and specifically Hammer horror movies. Mind you, this qualifies as a traditional vampire movie. The vampires display fangs, cast no reflection in mirrors, and spend their days in their coffins. Although the film generated a lot of coin in Europe, it flopped in America and MGM didn't help matters when they re-edited it so drastically that director Roman Polanski disowned it. Polanski penned the screenplay with his "Repulsion" collaborator Gérard Brach. Wilfrid Shingleton's production designs are first-rate. Nevertheless, Polanski and his collaborators scare up a lot of atmosphere in this 107- minute send-up of bloodsuckers. "Blue Max" lenser Douglas Slocombe's widescreen cinematography contributes to the air of suspense that Polanski generates. "The Fearless Vampire Killers" is one of those rare films that you could watch in the dead of an incandescent summer and contract chills from its winter-covered surroundings.

The narrator sets the ominous but amusing tone of this sophisticated parody: "That night, penetrating deep into the heart of Transylvania, Professor Abronsius was unaware that he was on the point of reaching the goal of his mysterious investigations. In the course of which he had journeyed throughout Central Europe for years accompanied by his one and only faithful disciple, Alfred. A scholar and scientist whose genius was unappreciated, Abronsius had given up all to devote himself body and soul to what was to him a sacred mission. He had even lost his chair at Königsberg University, where for a long time his colleagues used to refer to him as "The Nut." Along the way, angry dogs attack our hapless heroes, and the elderly, white-haired professor arrives at an inn frozen to the bone. Jewish innkeeper Shagal (Alfie Bass of "Alfie") thaws out the professor after everybody chimes in with a remedy to thaw him out. The first thing that Abronsius notices is string of garlic dangling from the ceiling. As far as he is concerned, Abronsius has found vampires and he plans to stay. When Shagal shows Abronsius and Alfred to their room, he forgets that his bodacious, red-haired daughter Sarah (Sharon Tate) is luxuriating in their bathtub. He promises Abronsius and Alfred that they will have use of the bathroom tomorrow. Shagal whips his daughter for constantly using the tub to bathe in, and she informs Alfred later that she got into the habit of washing regularly in school.

Naturally, when Abronsius inquires, Shagal and his townsfolk dismiss vampires as nothing more than superstitious shenanigans. Later, the professor spots a hunchback, Koukol (Terry Downes of "A Study in Terror"), and sends Alfred off to follow the deformed fellow. Alfred doesn't get far, especially after the hunchback appears to dine on dog. At the inn, Shagal likes to slip out of bed late at night and sneak up to bundle up with Magda, the Maid (Fiona Lewis of "Otley"), but Shagal's wife Rebecca (Jessie Robins of "Billy Liar") has her suspicions. She tries to catch him in the act, but clobbers the inquisitive Abronsius by mistake. He never learns who struck. Ironically, Shagal manages to conceal himself and his vast bulk behind the door in Magda's room. Sarah pays the price of bathing one time too often, and she is cavorting in bubbles when the skylight opens and Count von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne of "Where Eagles Dare") descends, in his regal Bela Lugosi cloak, and takes a bite out of her beautiful throat. Shagal goes off to avenge Sarah and comes back dead and drained. Meanwhile, Alfred has become infatuated with Sarah, and Abronsius and he set off for the Count's castle to rescue her. When they blunder into the castle, the vampire patriarch awaits them and has rooms prepared for them.

You can tell that this vampire spoof is different when a nubile young lady tries to ward off a thirsty vampire with a crucifix and the vampire dismisses her efforts with a chuckle because he is Jewish: "Oy, hev you got the wrong vampire!" The ironic ending is a big plus, too.

A classic vampire movie, outdated; but still great fun!

[danielensylvia · 9/10 · 19 November 2006]

Now this is the movie that i have watched when i was twelve years old, and made me fall head over heels in love with the horror-genre. Today, it may look outdated (wich of course is the truth), but in my opinion it still is the best vampire movie ever created. If you should take the effort of watching this entire picture, you will come to the conclusion that Polanski has made a masterpiece. Special notes should be taken for the musical score. Such a cliché, but unmissable for this picture. This is a classic horror movie with a perfect, ambient atmosphere that suites the movie perfectly! Today, the teenagers are growing up with vampire movies like blade and underworld. But these are not to be called horror movies. There is little or no atmosphere, just pocket fillers for the movie makers. For classic and Gothic atmosphere, you cannot do any better then "The fearless vampire killers" For those of you who have become curious: enjoy!!

A bit flat at times but overall great.

[MonsterVision99 · 7/10 · 13 October 2017]

Dance of the Vampires (1967) its often considered to be one of Polanski's worst films, mainly because many people find it to be dull, boring, unfunny and underdeveloped. However, I find it quite riveting. It inspired many horror comedies and I think I can see how many 70's and 80's filmmakers have drawn inspiration from this film, specially Joe Dante and John Landis.

Its not incredibly hilarious but I think its funny, not enough to make me laugh out loud but its still serviceable. What I like the most about the movie is of course the usual stuff you get with Polanki's films, the direction, the performances, the music and the scenery. Its what you would expect from the great Polanski.

I never really appreciated this film until now, its slow but I like that, it takes its time to establish the mood, the characters, the atmosphere and the overall tone the film will have.

It may be a new favorite of mine, I will have to see if I will enjoy this as much in another viewing in the future.

The Boring Audience Killers

[poj-man · 4/10 · 17 April 2016]

TCM ran The Fearless Vampire Killers (TFVK) the same night that METV ran the Star Trek "Amok Time" (the Spock "pon-farr" kill Spock episode). Both productions are from basically the same year. It is interesting to see both products on the same night. The TV show episode is memorable and the TFVK hardly ever is seen. The answer as to "why this is" is in the script. The Star Trek episode in classic 1967 TV (for all the warts in looking at it back through time); TFVK is as boring as they come.

It is asserted that TFVK is a satire of the Hammer Vampire movies. In my life I have seen and enjoyed the Hammer Vampire movies. I had never seen TFVK until now. It took all my might to sit through TFVK to say that I had watched it so that I will never watch it again. As far as satire goes the film is just lame.

Futurama has the episode of "Why Must I Be a Crustacean in love?" which is a satire of "Amok Time." The episode is hilarious. "Young Frankenstein" (YF) is a satire of Frankenstein movies. YF is hilarious. TFVK is just flat out boring.

While watching TFVK a memory came of reading Joseph Heller's "Something Happened" which is a 400+ page book that should be re-titled "Nothing Happened." At the end of a viewing of TFVK the feeling was that "Nothing Happened" after slogging through a lengthy tome\viewing.

Sharon Tate may look very hot in some of the scenes but the scenes are very brief and far and few between. The rest of the movie is filled with a lot of unintelligible jargon spewed by characters who follow "The Idiot Principle" of writing. In the Idiot Principle of writing the characters continue to say and do things that are more stupid than the last thing they did because that is supposedly funny and is the only way to move the plot forward. TFVK follows this conceit in a boring manner until a really stupid climax and denouement occurs.

Some have made mention that all that is missing is Benny Hill music. One can see that as the film plays out and it would only have made the movie better to take a direct Benny Hill approach. It would have at least been a little bit more entertaining.

Arnold Schwarzenegger said in an interview about "The Last Action Hero" that everyone read the script and thought it was great. Then we made the movie and watched and realized "My God...this is awful! And now we have to go out and sell it!" I suspect those that made and bankrolled TFVK probably experienced similar feelings after the created and watched TFVK. It just isn't really that good.

My Favorite Parody of Vampire Movies

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 20 September 2009]

The famous Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran) and his clumsy assistant Alfred (Roman Polanski) travel to the remote Transylvania to research vampires. They are hosted in an inn by Shagal (Alfie Bass) and sooner the shy Alfred falls in love for the inn-keeper's red-haired daughter Sarah (Sharon Tate). When Sarah is abducted by the mysterious Count von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne), Professor Abronsius and Alfred head to his creepy castle. The duo of scientists are welcomed by the count and his gay son Herbert (Iain Quarrier) and invited to a vampire ball late night.

"Dance of the Vampires" is my favorite parody of vampire movies ever. The first time I saw it on the 60's or 70's, I felt in love for Sharon Tate and for this movie. I have watched "Dance of the Vampires" many times, and the last time was on 08 June 2003, when I voted ten (10) in IMDb. Yesterday I saw "Dance of the Vampire" again, and now I found it a little dated but still excellent. The beauty of Sharon Tate is still very impressive and very few actresses in cinema history are as beautiful as she. Roman Polanski performing an awkward assistant; Jack MacGowran in the role of the dedicated professor that accidentally "spread the evil around the world"; Alfie Bass in the role of the wolf inn-keeper Shagal; Terry Downes and his unforgettable servant Koukol; Ian Quarries and his performance as Herbert, the gay vampire-son of the count; and Ferdy Mayne in the role of the creepy Count von Krolock, all of them are still awesome in their stunning performances. From the arrival of the frozen professor to the village to the departure of the same professor bringing two vampires in his sleigh, there are many hilarious and unforgettable scenes. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "A Dança dos Vampiros" ("The Dance of the Vampires")

"Fangs by Dr. Ludwig von Krankheit"

[Coventry · 7/10 · 28 December 2021]

The genius but obviously fake credit in this review's subject line appears, like it's the most normal thing in the world, among the names of authentic cast and crew members during the opening sequences of the film. It's this sort of subtle yet brilliant little gimmicks that make "The Fearless Vampire Killers" thoroughly enjoyable, because - personally - I don't think it works very effectively as neither a spoof, nor a horror movie.

In between the fantastic and dead-serious thriller/psychological horror milestones Repulsion (1965) and Rosemary's Baby (1968), Roman Polanski found time and energy to co-write and direct this light-hearted homage to contemporary British gothic horror movies; - more specifically Hammer Studios' "Dracula"-cycle. Polanksi also stars in the film, as the clumsy assistant of the acclaimed university professor and notorious vampire researcher Abronsius. Traveling through Transylvania, they stay at an inn where vampires regularly come to seek for fresh blood, or at least judging by the number of garlic on the walls. Assistant Alfred falls for the beautiful innkeeper's daughter Anna (Sharon Tate), but she gets brutally abducted by the local vampire Count von Krolock. Abronsius and Alfred must rescue her before she's turned into a vampire herself during the ball at von Krolock's sinister castle.

As said, I don't think "The Fearless Vampire Killers" is very good in the plotting department, and the attempt to blend genres only causes for the film to be messy, but nevertheless there are several reasons to justify the cult-classic status. The downright magnificent set-pieces and mesmerizing Italian filming locations, for instance, and even more so the cinematography and musical score. The latter, courtesy of Polanski's compatriot Krzystof Komeda, is an even spookier score than the ones featuring in any other contemporary horror movie. Sharon Tate is unearthly beautiful and sexy, and will forever remain like that due to her untimely and tragical death. Last but certainly not least, the vampire ball sequences deserve all the praise they can possibly receive, as it's one of the most astounding things I ever beheld.

A Dissenting View

[eddie-83 · 2/10 · 26 March 2000]

I'm afraid I can't go along with the general acclaim for "Fearless Vampire Killers" though of course I respect the opinions of those who admired it. However the bawdy schoolboy humour and cleavage on display reminded me forcefully of Benny Hill at his best/worst.

I watched on cable so I lost any sense of spectacle that the film may have but the only thing I found worth looking at was the exquisitely beautiful face of poor doomed Sharon Tate. This is not the view of someone who dislikes Roman Polanski or his work because I did admire "Knife in the Water", enjoyed "Tess" even if I found it a bit drawn out and judged "Chinatown" a masterpiece.