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

Amongst the ancestral portraits in the castle is a depiction of an ugly old woman inspired by a sketch of 'Leonardo da Vinci' and since the 18th century frequently connected with Margarete Maultasch, countess of Tyrol (1318-1369).

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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

Village Idiot: Stick it vhere?
Professor Abronsius: Alas, Madame Shagal, I have already explained to you, the body of Mr. Shagal is destroyed; but, one can save his soul.
Village Idiot: With this?
Professor Abronsius: By sticking it in.
Village Idiot: Sticking it in?
Professor Abronsius: Yes.
Village Idiot: Vhere?

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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

This film was originally released in the United States in an edited version. This version was shortened by approx. 20 minutes, all actors voices redubbed to make them more American-sounding (most notably that of Abronsius), the music was slightly altered and a cartoon prologue featuring Abronsius & Alfred was added. This was done by producer Martin Ransohoff without Roman Polanski's approval. Other edits included the shortening of the trip to Krolock's castle, the shots of Shagal watching the maid cleaning the floor as he stomps the sauerkraut, and Alfred searching for the mysterious voice in the castle corridors. Ransohoff also tried to have the American version distributed under the title "The Fearless Vampire Killers: or, Pardon Me But Your Teeth are in my Neck". Upon seeing this American version, Polanski tried to have his name removed from the credits. The prints that are currently being used have been restored to their original British length of 107 minutes and carry the title of simply "The Fearless Vampire Killers".

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Connections

Referenced in 360 grados en torno a Marisol (1972)

User Reviews

One of the all-time great horror spoofs

When I first saw this film on TV in the early 70s, I thought it was so cheesy I gave it very little attention. Then in the early 90s it was released on laserdisc in a letterboxed version and I bought it on a lark. After I viewed in the first time I still didn't think much of it and thought maybe I wasted my money. But then, as the years passed, I would look at it every so often and now I love the film. It is an acquired taste. You first have to love vampire films -- the old-fashioned, Gothic kind. Next, you need to appreciate Polanski's style and his understated approach. It's also best to watch this film late at night with the lights off, and especially with a snow storm outside. Give it a chance and this film will creep up on you. Hopefully it will come to DVD soon.