"Brivido giallo" A cena col vampiro (1987)

Director:

Lamberto Bava

Writers:

Lamberto Bava (screenplay)
Dardano Sacchetti (screenplay)
(more)

TV Series:

"Brivido giallo" (1986)

Original Air Date:

1987 (Season 1, Episode 4)

Genre:

Horror

Plot:

A 1000-year-old vampire from Mesopotamia becomes a famous horror film director; but what he really wants is an end to his existence.

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Mesopotamia | Audition | Movie Director | Dinner Guest

Cast

George Hilton	...	Jurek
Patrizia Pellegrino	...	Rita
Riccardo Rossi	...	Gianni
Isabel Russinova
Valeria Milillo	...	Sasha
Yvonne Sciò	...	Monica
Daniele Aldrovandi	...	Gilles
Igor Zalewsky	...	Ale
Roberto Pedicini
Letizia Ziaco	...	Nadia
Stefano Sabelli	...	Matteo
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nick Alexander	...	Gilles (voice: English version) (uncredited)

Directed by
Lamberto Bava

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Lamberto Bava		screenplay
Luciano Martino		story
Dardano Sacchetti		screenplay

Produced by
Massimo Manasse	....	executive producer
Marco Grillo Spina	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Simon Boswell
Mario Tagliaferri

Cinematography by
Gianfranco Transunto

Film Editing by
Daniele Alabiso

Production Design by
Massimo Antonello Geleng		(as Antonello Geleng)

Costume Design by
Valentina Di Palma

Makeup Department
Luigi Ciminelli	....	makeup artist
Marcello Longhi	....	hair stylist
Rosario Prestopino	....	special makeup artist

Production Management
Renato Fiè	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Franco Fantasia	....	assistant director

Art Department
Romano Renzi	....	property master

Sound Department
Alberto Doni	....	sound mixer
Giuliano Piermarioli	....	sound

Special Effects by
Paolo Ricci	....	special set effects

Visual Effects by
Aldo Mafera	....	optical effects
Sergio Stivaletti	....	special visual effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Giancarlo Battaglia	....	assistant camera
Stefano Marino	....	chief electrician
Francesco Narducci	....	still photographer
Luigi Orso	....	key grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Anna Cirilli	....	seamstress

Editorial Department
Mario Cinotti	....	assistant editor
Silvana Di Legge	....	assistant editor

Other crew
Paola Bonelli	....	script supervisor
Alberto Brusco	....	production secretary (as Alberto Maria Brusco)
Anna Maria De Pedys	....	administrator (as Anna De Pedys)
Gianni Giuliano	....	dubbing director
Aldo Mafera	....	titles

Jean Hebert
Alessandra Acciai

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Roberto Gandus

Production Companies

• Dania Film
• Devon Film
• Reteitalia

Distributors

• A-Film Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Astro Distribution (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
• Mya Communication (2009) (USA) (DVD)
• Starlight (1989) (West Germany) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

UK:92 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Certification:

Australia:M | West Germany:18

Company:

Dania Film

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The vampire explains at the dinner table that he doesn't cast a reflection in anything (mirrors, windows etc). But when he is scratching with his nails on the door where the kids are hiding we can clearly see all of him reflected in a big mirror on the wall. Actually, his reflection in the mirror is where that shot begins.

Movie Connections:

References Black Sunday (1960)

Soundtrack:

Near Magic

If only every other aspect matched the film's visual brilliance

Vampires have been the subject of many films recently. This however is bittersweet for fans of this iconic monster. Sure, the 'Twilight' series has been very successful, but many were not thrilled by it's portrayal of the undead. Some modern vampire films, like the original 'Fright Night,' have been more successful at bringing the concept up to date while respecting what came before. Most of these films have come from the States and the UK, but other countries have gotten into it in recent decades. Known mainly for his 'Demons' films, Lamberto Bava directed a series of four TV movies in the late 80s. Each is very different, but one thing they have in common is how visually breathtaking their are. However, I must say this is one of his lesser efforts.

Pros: Some good performances. Beautiful castle, inside and out. Decent pace. Some atmospheric moments. Great production design, especially in the crypt. Quite good make-up effects. Some neat ideas.

Cons: A couple flat performances. Not much of a plot to hold this together. Mostly lame attempts at humor. Score doesn't suit the film well. Very dated. A weak ending.

Final thoughts: Having really enjoyed Bava's 'The Ogre' and seen the trailer for this, I was looking forward to it. Alas, it's almost as disappointing as his 'Graveyard Disturbance.' All is not lost though because despite it's faults, 'Dinner with a Vampire' is a fairly entertaining 90 minutes. Worth seeing for all the visual treats and out there moments alone.

My rating: 2.5/5