Dance of the Vampires (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:

Who says Vampires are no laughing matter?

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 November 1967 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Fearless Vampire Killers or: Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck

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

A musical adaptation of Dance of the Vampires premiered at the Raimund Theater in Vienna, Austria, on October 4, 1997. It was directed by Roman Polanski, and featured music by rock composer Jim Steinman, who is best known for his work with Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler.

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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: Garlic!
Alfred, Abronsius' Assistant: You think so?
Professor Abronsius: Almost without a doubt.

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Crazy Credits

Fangs by Dr. Ludwig von Krankheit.

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Connections

References Psycho (1960)

User Reviews

How funny is it supposed to be?

Roman Polanski's tongue-in-cheek look at classic Gothic vampire stories takes a rather bizarre approach to its material by giving us two bumbling vampire hunters who seem to always lose their prey and never seem to be aware of their immediate surroundings. Is this supposed to be funny?

Apparently so, but because it is so unique in its approach, it will divide viewers and I happen to fall on the negative side. The story takes too long to set up before it lands at the setting where it is supposed to and Polanski and Jack MacGowran's acting leave something to be desired.

The only true bright spot of the film is the luminous presence of Sharon Tate, who shows with her flaming red hair and soft, pale complexion why Polanski fell for her and the potential she had as an actress. Knowing her grim destiny only adds to the heaviness of this picture, which is certainly one to forget amongst the Polanski oeuvre.