The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)

A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.

Director:

Roman Polanski

Writers:

Gérard Brach (story and screenplay), Roman Polanski (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Jack MacGowran, Roman Polanski, Alfie Bass

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack MacGowran	...	Professor Abronsius
Roman Polanski	...	Alfred
Alfie Bass	...	Shagal, the Inn-Keeper
Jessie Robins	...	Rebecca Shagal
Sharon Tate	...	Sarah Shagal
Ferdy Mayne	...	Count von Krolock / Narrator
Iain Quarrier	...	Herbert von Krolock
Terry Downes	...	Koukol, the Servant
Fiona Lewis	...	Magda, the Maid
Ronald Lacey	...	Village Idiot
Sydney Bromley	...	Sleigh Driver
Andreas Malandrinos	...	Woodcutter
Otto Diamant	...	Woodcutter
Matthew Walters	...	Woodcutter
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vladek Sheybal	...	Herbert (voice)

Storyline

The elderly bat researcher, professor Abronsius and his assistant, Alfred, go to a remote Transylvanian village looking for vampires. Alfred falls in love with the inn-keeper's young daughter Sarah. However, she has been spotted by the mysterious count Krolock who lives in a dark and creepy castle outside the village...

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | vampire hunter | vampire slayer | castle | transylvania | 

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Taglines:

You'll never know what bit you... but you'll love it!

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 November 1967 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Fearless Vampire Killers

Filming Locations:

Fischburg Castle-Castel Gardena, Santa Cristina Valgardena, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cadre Films, Filmways Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Roman Polanski's credit as an actor appears only in the end credits.

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Goofs

Just before Count Von Krolock locks Abronsius and Alfred on the balcony he tells them they'd have great difficulty getting away from there, unless they had wings "like a bat". The Count suddenly loses his Romanian accent when pronouncing the words "like a bat".

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Quotes

Shagal, the Inn-Keeper: Come on, take it off!
Magda, the Maid: Don't you look.
Shagal, the Inn-Keeper: I'm not looking. I'm not looking.

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Crazy Credits

In the opening credits the MGM-lion transforms into a vampire.

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Alternate Versions

The German version of this film has a different but similar version of the opening MGM lion turning into a green vampire (looking somewhat cruder). The credits are in German, directly translated from the English credits (with the same handmade lettering style and animated effects).

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Connections

Referenced in Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

User Reviews

My Favorite Parody of Vampire Movies

The famous Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran) and his clumsy assistant Alfred (Roman Polanski) travel to the remote Transylvania to research vampires. They are hosted in an inn by Shagal (Alfie Bass) and sooner the shy Alfred falls in love for the inn-keeper's red-haired daughter Sarah (Sharon Tate). When Sarah is abducted by the mysterious Count von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne), Professor Abronsius and Alfred head to his creepy castle. The duo of scientists are welcomed by the count and his gay son Herbert (Iain Quarrier) and invited to a vampire ball late night.

"Dance of the Vampires" is my favorite parody of vampire movies ever. The first time I saw it on the 60's or 70's, I felt in love for Sharon Tate and for this movie. I have watched "Dance of the Vampires" many times, and the last time was on 08 June 2003, when I voted ten (10) in IMDb. Yesterday I saw "Dance of the Vampire" again, and now I found it a little dated but still excellent. The beauty of Sharon Tate is still very impressive and very few actresses in cinema history are as beautiful as she. Roman Polanski performing an awkward assistant; Jack MacGowran in the role of the dedicated professor that accidentally "spread the evil around the world"; Alfie Bass in the role of the wolf inn-keeper Shagal; Terry Downes and his unforgettable servant Koukol; Ian Quarries and his performance as Herbert, the gay vampire-son of the count; and Ferdy Mayne in the role of the creepy Count von Krolock, all of them are still awesome in their stunning performances. From the arrival of the frozen professor to the village to the departure of the same professor bringing two vampires in his sleigh, there are many hilarious and unforgettable scenes. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "A Dança dos Vampiros" ("The Dance of the Vampires")