El vampiro (1957)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Fernando Méndez

Writers:

Ramón Obón (story)
Ramón Obón (adaptation)

Release Date:

1958 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Thriller | Horror

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Vampire

Cast

Abel Salazar	...	Dr. Enrique
Ariadna Welter	...	Marta Gonzalez
Carmen Montejo	...	Eloisa
José Luis Jiménez	...	Emilio
Mercedes Soler	...	Maria ,servant
Alicia Montoya	...	María Teresa
José Chávez	...	Anselmo
Julio Daneri	...	Duval's servant
Amado Zumaya	...	Duval's servant
Germán Robles	...	Count Karol de Lavud / Duval
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Guillermo Álvarez Bianchi	...	Train administrator (uncredited)
Dick Barker	...	Man (uncredited)
Margarito Luna	...	(uncredited)

Directed by
Fernando Méndez

Writing credits
Ramón Obón		(story)
Ramón Obón		(adaptation)

Produced by
Abel Salazar	....	producer

Original Music by
Gustavo César Carrión		(as Gustavo C. Carrion)

Cinematography by
Rosalío Solano

Film Editing by
José W. Bustos

Art Direction by
Gunther Gerszo

Makeup Department
Elda Loza	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Antonio Guerrero Tello	....	production leader
Fernando Méndez Jr.	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Américo Fernández	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Enrique Rodríguez	....	sound re-recording mixer
Rafael Ruiz Esparza	....	dialogue editor (as Rafael R. Esparza)

Camera and Electrical Department
Antonio Solano	....	lighting technician
Hugo Velasco	....	camera operator

Music Department
Gustavo César Carrión	....	musical director (as Gustavo C. Carrion)
Enrique Rodríguez	....	music editor

Other crew
Nicolás Rueda hijo	....	titles (as Nicolás Rueda Jr.)

Production Companies

• Cinematográfica ABSA

Distributors

• Alameda Films (1957) (Mexico) (theatrical)
• Azteca Films Inc. (1958) (USA) (theatrical) (Spanish language only)
• American-International Television (AIP-TV) (1964) (USA) (TV) (dubbed) (syndication)
• Trans-International Films (1968) (USA) (theatrical) (dubbed)
• CasaNegra Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Mondo Macabro (2002) (UK) (DVD)
• Something Weird Video (SWV) (video)

Other Companies

• Grabaciones Magnéticas Sincrónicas S.A.  sound re-recording
• Orquesta de la Sección de Filarmónicos del S.T.P.C. de la R.M.  orchestra
• C.L.A.S.A.  studio
• Screen Time Images  DVD menus and authoring
• Screen Time Images  audio restoration
• Screen Time Images  film restoration

Also Known As:

The Vampire

Runtime:

95 min | UK:84 min (DVD)

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Company:

Cinematográfica ABSA

Movie Connections:

Featured in Mondo Macabro: Episode 2 - Mexican Horror Movies (2002)

Excellent B&W Mexican vampire movie. Probably the first...

...and probably the best one to date.

Surprisingly creepy and atmospheric black and white Vampire movie. This looked like the Coffin Joe series at times because it has excellent settings, music, and cinematography. On the other hand, the movie has some parts that were meant to be funny but that's just Mexican typical humor that maybe some others won't understand. The direction is truly memorable, it deserves a special mention because it is very stylish and atmospheric. For example, whenever the vampire is about to attack, you can clearly see advanced camera and lightning techniques (for it's time). The way the lightning focuses on Robles' face is creepy. The events are fast paced but in a suspenseful manner.

The vampire characterization is pretty good as our main hero (or villain?) is a sui generis Mexican vampire. Germàn Robles delivers a fantastic performance based on erotism, and creepiness. Believe me, he is a unique vampire, like none other you haven't seen. Once he said that he liked how this vampire is an erotic, dark character because he appears at night, 99.9% of his victims are women that use sexy lingerie, and he likes to possess souls through their blood. His presence is creepy enough.

As one of the reviewers said, this movie obviously inspired the Hammer vampire flicks. That makes me proud as I'm Mexican and I'm a big fan of Hammer.

This movie is heavily underrated to the point that only avid Horror fans from around the world know about it; not even Mexicans seem to recall this cult Horror movie.

Please, watch this movie and you will be pleased. Recommended for Vampire Horror fans, and Horror fans of Black and White movies.