To Die For

The above line, one of the last in the movie, is just so poignant it pretty much sums up the film. Colossally underrated vampire flick that is long on style and quite touching romantically. It should never have worked so well.

Well up there with FRIGHT NIGHT, THE LOST BOYS and NEAR DARK, how such a low-budget movie with a mega-young brit actor, towering barely 5'7" in built-up shoes, standing in as Vlad the Impaler, could work so well, is staggering. It is I suspect a combination of the avant-garde script, outstanding (at times) cinematography and charismatic performance from pretty Sydney Walsh that does it. The brilliance of this film is set right from the opening scenes, whose significance becomes crystal clear later on. Miss Walsh, so reminiscent of a very young Sigourney Weaver here, hits exactly the right note as feisty real estate rep Kate Wooten, who is swept off her feet by cashed-up young client Vlad Tsepsh who for his part, responds to her charms with a rare reluctance.

Just so much to pull out of this wonderful film. The antagonism between Vlad and his brother, the sparkling repartee between Kate and Vlad and the retro ending just so unusual in vampire films. Equally as good as a love story as a horror film. It works a treat on both scores! One cannot pass over the excellent soundtrack either, most notably Rod Stewart's great contribution during the on-board boat party at the very beginning of the film, when Kate is mesmerised by Vlad's intrusion into her life.

Interestingly, Brendan Hughes resurrected the exact same characterisation in HOWLING VI: THE FREAKS which left for dead the previous four sequels!