Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1989)

Reclusive vampires lounge in a lonely American town. They wear sun cream to protect themselves. A descendant of Van Helsing arrives with hilarious consequences.

Director:

Anthony Hickox

Writers:

John Burgess, Anthony Hickox,

Stars:

David Carradine, Morgan Brittany, Bruce Campbell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Carradine	...	Mardulak
Morgan Brittany	...	Sarah
Bruce Campbell	...	Van Helsing
Jim Metzler	...	David
Maxwell Caulfield	...	Shane
Deborah Foreman	...	Sandy
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Mort
John Ireland	...	Jefferson
Dana Ashbrook	...	Jack
John Hancock	...	Quinton Canada
Marion Eaton	...	Anna
Dabbs Greer	...	Otto
Bert Remsen	...	Milt
Sunshine Parker	...	Merle
Helena Carroll	...	Madge

Storyline

Reclusive vampires lounge in a lonely American town. They wear sun cream to protect themselves. A descendant of Van Helsing arrives with hilarious consequences.

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | van helsing | undead | sister sister relationship | vampire hunter | 

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Taglines:

They're mean. They're ornery. They're vampires.

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1991 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Sundown

Filming Locations:

Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vestron Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

This movie makes it very clear that vampires do not have reflections, but in the scene when Shane corners Sarah Harrison in the bedroom (about 1:25 into the movie), we can see his legs in the mirror on the far wall.

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Quotes

Robert Van Helsing: Once a bloodsucker, always a bloodsucker.

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Connections

References Dracula Today (1972)

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Soundtracks

"TOWN WITHOUT PITY"
Performed by Gene Pitney

User Reviews

Vampire Western Comedy

Once you see the vampires in sunscreen and sombreros, you will know exactly what kind of movie Anthony Hickox has made with his "Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat". Not only is it totally silly, but it's also pretty unique.

The plot of this vampire western comedy goes something like this: the powerful Count Mardulak (a quietly comic David Carradine) has founded a colony for reformed vampires in an old ghost town called Purgatory. The denizens of Purgatory fight the urge to kill and drink a milky-looking blood substitute ("It isn't even the right color", huffs one vamp). But it turns out that reform doesn't suit all the vampires that well, and things only get more tense when a few humans come to town.

B-movie lovers will likely be charmed by "Sundown", stop-motion bats and all. It certainly strays from horror cliche. Adding to the lighthearted festivities is Bruce Campbell as the artless but well-meaning Van Helsing. Overall, it's a kooky good time for movie fans of a particular mindset.