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Rating: Summary: A Comedic Rendition of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" Review: "The Fearless Vampire Killers" is producer/director/screenwriter/actor Roman Polanski's comedic rendition of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" legend. The bumbling Professor and his timid assistant Alfred (played by Roman Polanski) travel to Transylvania to study vampires. The Professor and Alfred rest at an inn festooned with garlic. That evening, the innkeeper's daughter (played by the *stunningly beautiful* Sharon Tate) is kidnapped by the Count (played with a characterization combining elements of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing). The distraught innkeeper (played with a Zero Mostel characterization) runs out into the night to rescue his kidnapped daughter and never returns alive. The Professor and Alfred seek the Count's castle. The Count invites the Professor and Alfred to stay at his castle and to study in his library. The Professor and Alfred agree, they learn that the Count and his flock are planning a formal dress ball, and the real fun begins ...This film's scenic vistas and its theatrical sets are impressive -- they are complex, ornate, and convey a somber atmosphere. And Sharon Tate's beauty is impressive -- previously an unknown actress, this film gave general public recognition to Sharon Tate. Roman Polanski was involved in *all* aspects of this film's production, and his quality touch is visible throughout the film. It is ironic that this film's plot revolves around Sharon Tate's kidnapping by the Count and his flock. After this film was released, Sharon Tate and her real life friends were murdered in their home by members of the Charles Manson family.
Rating: Summary: Not his best Review: ... when u compare it with Rosemary`s Baby, Repulsion and Frantic. But it DOES have its moments... What really saves this film is the music by Komeda, choreography by Norwegian Tutte Lemkow, the scenary, the make-up, the off-key characters, Sharon Tate and the costumes... Too often u find yourself wondering what-the-heck this is all about and why doesn`t Polanski move a bit faster into the action??? Still; it`s watchable and I`m glad that so many have found it to their hearts:-)
Rating: Summary: First Class Entertainment Review: I first watched this film on the television at Christmas in about 1982 (under the title "Dance Of The Vampires"), and even then, as a 12 year-old, was impressed by this superior vampire 'caper'. The film starts with a beautifully haunting score (by the late Christopher Komeda) and the arrival of a pair of intrepid vampire killers to a Transylvanian Inn. Throughout the film, the viewer is treated to a visual and musical feast, enhanced by brilliant acting from the likes of Ferdy Mayne, Jack MacGowran, Alfie Bass, and of course, Iain Quarrier as the token gay vampire! The enchanting qualities of Sharon Tate as the inn-keeper's young daughter, Sara, add to the overall enjoyment of the film; which, in my opinion, is easily the best vampire and/or Polanski movie to date.
Rating: Summary: Fearless Vampire Killers is a spooky, spoofy fairy tale Review: This film is a pure delight. I recently had the opportunity to see it on the big screen at a local "movie palace" on Halloween, 2001, and it was a wonderful experience. Polanski's intent was to make a spooky, funny, fairy tale and he fully succeeded. Visually the film is beautiful and magical, full of moon-lit, snow-covered landscapes and spooky sets. The production values are first-rate. The music score by Chrisopher Komeda may be the best ever composed for a horror film. The score is spooky, haunting and tender by turns, full of wailing voices, it sets the mood for the film wonderfully. The highlight of the film is the ballroom sequence, in which the ghoulish vampires rise from their graves to dance a graceful minuet. This scene is stunning. Some people may be too jaded and just not cool enough to appreciate this film's unique charm. Too bad for them. Those who are fun-loving, have a bit of innocence and appreciate atmosphere and mood over gore and guts will love the film. The cast is uniformly excellent, especially Jack MacGowran and Polanski as the bumbling vampire hunters. And Sharon Tate is beautiful and funny as the dizzy Sarah.
Rating: Summary: As funny as it is haunting ... Review: Well, I'm biased regarding this one ... it simply is my all time favorite (and a traditional X-mas movie for me, believe it or not-must be the winter landscapes). Not just as vampire movies go. Although if Vampires is what you're into, you'll be more than happy with the delightfully decrepit Krolocks, most notably Ferdy Mayne as the Count. Costumes and scenery are masterfully selected, as is the photography. It's a Polanski, after all. The movie is comedy, but the scary parts are, well, scary, nonetheless. It is never camp, but always subtle, it will have you chuckling, not slapping your knees, but not groaning, either. Comical and eerie elements come together in visually compelling scenery and sets, underscored by a soundtrack that'll have you sighing "They don't make'em like that anymore." You will find much that is unusual in characters you would expect to be cliche, not to mention the conclusion ... but I'm not telling, of course. This movie will charm you!
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