By-TorX-1 Review of Blood Suckers

Blood Suckers (1971)

Vampires! Cults! Cambridge Dons! Mule Chases!

[6/10 · 14 November 2019]

Incense for the Damned (AKA Bloodsuckers) is not a great film, and nor is it always a very coherent film. For instance, within the first half it sometimes feels like you are watching the film on fast-forward as it jumps from scene to scene and scenario to scenario. However, for all of its obvious faults, there is much to like and a lot of charm on display. Of the latter, much of this derives from the improbably impressive and engaging cast (boasting stellar and iconic thespians such as Peter Cushing, Patrick Mcnee and Edward Woodward). In some respects, the film is similar to The Devil Rides Out (although not nearly as effective) in that poor Patrick Mower has again fallen in with a sinister group and needs saving by his gallant collective of chums (he really needs to check out the cults he signs up with!). However, at least he gets to see some lovely Greek countryside as he is conveyed here and there by the seductive Chriseis and her cohorts (quite literally, as Mower spends most of the picture in some prone position or other). In terms of action, Johnny Sekka proves to be an effective hero, and Imogen Hassell is great in her role as the tenacious vampire. In terms of vampirism, the film deftly never categorically confirms whether Chriseis is a supernatural entity or not, which is an interesting and intriguing touch. However, further mitigating against the narrative shortcomings, Incense for the Damned is also noteworthy as it features an invisible eagle that acts as a dire portent of doom (which sadly comes to pass for one character) and, best of all, arguably displays horror cinema's first (and perhaps only) thrilling mule chase.