IMDb RATING
7.0/10
35K
YOUR RATING
A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Vladek Sheybal
- Herbert
- (voice)
Roy Evans
- Vampire at Ball
- (uncredited)
Dido Plumb
- Old Man Smoking Pipe at the Inn
- (uncredited)
Winifred Sabine
- Deaf Vampire at Ball
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOriginally Roman Polanski wanted to shoot his film on location in and around a castle in Switzerland which he saw during a vacation, but as this was impossible, other locations in the Alps were found, along with studio shoots in England. While on location, Polanski employed dozens of local artisans to make the large numbers of coffins needed in the film. Unfortunately tourists were rather unnerved by the sight of these, and hotels had to erect signs to assure their guests that the area hadn't been struck by plague.
- GoofsAbronsius and Alfred attempt to enter Count Von Krolock's crypt through an entrance on the ground floor, the crypt itself being located in the cellar. However, when apprehended by Koukol the Hunchback, they decide to go for a window entrance instead. To do this they scale the castle wall and enter a top floor window, with the crypt itself magically relocated to the top floor.
- Quotes
Shagal, the Inn-Keeper: [Magda tries to fend off Shagal, a Jewish Vampire, with a cross] Oy yoy! Have you got the wrong vampire!
- Crazy creditsIn the opening credits the MGM-lion transforms into a vampire.
- Alternate versionsFor the original UK cinema release heavy cuts were made by the BBFC to the scene of Von Krolock attacking Sarah in her bath in order for the film to receive an 'A' certificate. Later video and DVD releases restored the cuts and were upgraded to '15'.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)
Featured review
"The Fearless Vampire Killers" (aka "Dance of the Vampires") is a silly but enjoyable parody of vampire films, especially the contemporaneous Hammer series, with which it shares visual style. Director Polanski co-stars as Alfred, the bumbling assistant to dotty vampire-hunter Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran), as they infiltrate the decaying castle of dreaded Count von Krolock to rescue a beautiful village girl (played by Sharon Tate) with whom Alfred has become smitten (fiction presaging fact, as Tate later married Polanski). The comedy is generally broad and physical (including some sped up sequences), humorously contrasting with Polanski's and MacGowran's dead-pan delivery of a script that could be straight out of a 'real' horror film. The direction and cinematography is top-notch, especially the classic ball-room scene (itself parodied in 2014's "What We Do in the Shadows" mockumentary). I recently rewatched "The Fearless Vampire Killers" on TCM and, having seen the film as a kid, was surprised when it did not open with a cartoon. The reason for this is discussed elsewhere (e.g. Wikipedia; you can see the incredibly dated animated opening on You-tube). All in all, a goofy but fun film from a talented director that relentlessly spoofs a sometimes pretentious horror genre.
- jamesrupert2014
- Nov 1, 2017
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $2,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 31 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) officially released in India in English?
Answer