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) (as Gerard Brach), Roman Polanski (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack MacGowran, Roman Polanski, Alfie Bass

2 nominations.

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sharon Tate initially had dinner with Roman Polanski but it was mostly without conversation. After a second awkward dinner Sharon was invited to Polanski's apartment and he then disappeared, leaving her alone. He then burst in wearing a scary mask, making Sharon scream in terror. Sharon had won the role.

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Goofs

When Mrs. Shagal enters the bathroom after Sarah is abducted, her metal shawl hook snags Alfred and actually wounded actor Roman Polanski. His face grimaces as he quickly removes the hook from his chest and holds his left hand there.

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Quotes

Professor Abronsius: A castle without a crypt is like a unicorn without a horn.

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Crazy Credits

The events, characters, firms and vampires depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead or to actual events is entirely coincidental.

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Alternate Versions

For 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'.

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Connections

Referenced in Van Helsing (2004)

User Reviews

A classic vampire movie, outdated; but still great fun!

Now this is the movie that i have watched when i was twelve years old, and made me fall head over heels in love with the horror-genre. Today, it may look outdated (wich of course is the truth), but in my opinion it still is the best vampire movie ever created. If you should take the effort of watching this entire picture, you will come to the conclusion that Polanski has made a masterpiece. Special notes should be taken for the musical score. Such a cliché, but unmissable for this picture. This is a classic horror movie with a perfect, ambient atmosphere that suites the movie perfectly! Today, the teenagers are growing up with vampire movies like blade and underworld. But these are not to be called horror movies. There is little or no atmosphere, just pocket fillers for the movie makers. For classic and Gothic atmosphere, you cannot do any better then "The fearless vampire killers" For those of you who have become curious: enjoy!!

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1967 (Netherlands)

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 (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1