Nosferatu a Venezia (1988)

Directors:

Augusto Caminito
Mario Caiano

Writers:

Alberto Alfieri (story)
Augusto Caminito (writer)

Release Date:

1 September 1988 (West Germany)

Genre:

Horror

Plot Keywords:

Breast Suckling | Pubic Hair | Naked Woman | Evil | Virgin

Cast

Klaus Kinski	...	Nosferatu
Christopher Plummer	...	Professor Paris Catalano
Donald Pleasence	...	Don Alvise
Barbara De Rossi	...	Helietta Canins
Yorgo Voyagis	...	Dr. Barneval
Anne Knecht	...	Maria Canins
Elvire Audray	...	Uta Barneval
Giuseppe Mannajuolo
Clara Colosimo	...	Medium
Maria Cumani Quasimodo	...	Princess
Micaela Flores Amaya	...	Woman at Gypsy Camp

Also Known As:

Nosferatu in Venice
Vampire in Venice (USA)
Vampires in Venice (UK) (TV title)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Telecolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Spain:18 | Australia:R | West Germany:18 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Venice, Veneto, Italy

Company:

Reteitalia

Trivia:

Producer Augusto Caminito originally hired director Maurizio Lucidi, who shot a few crowd scenes in Venice before the script had even been completed. Caminito decided that the project needed another director and fired Lucidi (paying him his full salary), hiring Pasquale Squitieri to write and direct the picture. However, Squitieri's screenplay proved too expensive to shoot so Caminito decided to stop working with him (he nevertheless paid him his full, hefty, salary). Shooting had already been postponed several times and the Italian TV network which co-produced the film was getting nervous. So Caminito hired a third director, B-movie veteran Mario Caiano, and shooting could start.

Movie Connections:

Follows Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979)

"Time has no meaning in a life that never ends" - K. Kinski

It took me over a year to get this film on video. VAMPIRE IN VENICE (Nosferatu A Venezia) is a semi-sequel to Werner Herzogs' NOSFERATU THE VAMPYRE 1979. However, the only thing in this movie relating to that is the return of Klaus Kinski as Count Dracula (though he's just referred to as 'nosferatu' in this film).

Easily one of the best vampire movies ever, it contains a very dark, deadly serious and atmospheric texture. Kinski is as creepy as ever, looking like a cross between Rutger Hauer and a zombified-Mozart! Other well known actors, Christopher Plummer and Donald Pleasence are great in the movie. The soundtrack by Luigi Ceccerelli(!) is breathtaking and memorable, and it seems that Venice herself is a prime character. The film dis-spells religious attempts against vampires and there are some interesting theories on vampiric origins discussed within the feature.

My only complaint with this excellent film is the sound quality. The dubbing isn't so bad, but it's hard to make out what certain characters say at any given time. There are a few plot holes, such as, what DOES become of the vampire and his partner and where had Nosferatu been for all those lost years. Luckily, these trivial things don't spoil this arthouse, classy, unforgettable piece of Italian cinema. Let's hope it gets a well deserved DVD release in the near future.