Tale of a Vampire (1992)

Condemned to life without end, and to an undying passion for a lost love he can never find, a vampire stalks a beautiful young woman.

Director:

Shimako Sato

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (based on a story), Shimako Sato (screenplay)

Stars:

Julian Sands, Suzanna Hamilton, Kenneth Cranham

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julian Sands	...	Alex
Suzanna Hamilton	...	Anne / Virginia
Kenneth Cranham	...	Edgar
Marian Diamond	...	Denise (as Marion Diamond)
Michael Kenton	...	Magazine Man
Catherine Ashton	...	Virginia (5) (as Catherine Blake)
Mark Kempner	...	Morgue Official
Nik Myers	...	Rent Boy / Newscaster's Voice
Ken Pritchard	...	Bum 1
Ian Rollison	...	Bum 2
David King	...	Waiter
Adrianne Alexander	...	Prostitute
Mark Motileb	...	Child
Keri Motileb	...	Child
Lisa Motileb	...	Child

Storyline

Condemned to life without end, and to an undying passion for a lost love he can never find, a vampire stalks a beautiful young woman.

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Plot Keywords:

pedophile | gay man | vampire | f rated | gore | 

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Genres:

Horror | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to a review in Variety, the film began as a 60-minute video project, converting to a 35mm feature when Japanese financiers committed to the production.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Edgar: It was many and many a year ago / In a kingdom by the sea / That a maiden there lived whom you may know / By the name of Annabel Lee

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Soundtracks

Boys and Girls Come Out to Play
(uncredited)
Traditional
Performed by Suzanna Hamilton, Julian Sands and Catherine Ashton

User Reviews

A Sober Film

The first thing I'd like to say about this movie is that the synopsis is incorrect. While the vampire "Alex" (Julian Sands) does in fact drink the blood of animals, it also clearly shows him drinking the blood of humans and he admits doing so as well. So it isn't like he's a "pacifist" or the vampire equivalent of a vegetarian or anything. I say this in order to make the mood of the movie more understandable. It's a dark film and I think Julian Sands does a good job showcasing the brooding and sad state of emotion that has come over him. Likewise, Suzanne Hamilton (as both "Anne" and "Virginia") also shows a certain sense of loneliness that is necessary for the character as well as a sober film of this type. To be sure, this is not an action-packed film with all of the usual clichés thrown in for good measure. The vampires in this film can function during the day without bursting into flames and there are no scenes of wooden stakes through the heart. So some viewers may not enjoy the film because of the lack of action or preset notions they have come to expect. On the other hand, I don't believe that this is a film without flaws either. In some parts it is both slow and dull and I think it was due more to the director (Shimako Sato) trying to create something "artistic" rather than something just simply enjoyable. But that's just my opinion. I also would have preferred that Julian Sands had shown a bit more passion instead of keeping things so lifeless and understated. In short, this isn't a bad movie. But I don't think it set any new standards of excellence either.

Details

Country:

UK Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 July 1993 (Japan)

Also Known As:

A vámpír

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

State Screen Productions, Tsuburaya Eizo, Furama

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1