The Kiss of the Vampire
Directed by Don Sharp
Written by Anthony Hinds
1963/UK
Universal International Pictures/Hammer Films
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Dr. Ravna: [referring to Marianne] I will not say that she has not changed in any way., Mr. Harcourt. She has, as you may put it, grown up – tasted the more sophisticated, more erotic fruits of… life.
Gerald Harcourt: [realizing that she has been initiated into vampirism] Oh, my God!
Dr. Ravna: [officiouly] God is hardly involved, Mr. Harcourt.[/box]
Perhaps Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee could have injected some oomph into this underwhelming Gothic horror flick.
The story takes place in the early years of the last century. As the film begins, we witness a professor driving a stake through a coffin just as it is about to be lowered into the earth – this will be one of the few evidences of blood shown in the film. We then follow the journey of newlyweds Gerald and Marianne who are motoring through Europe. They run out of petrol and are forced to stay in a hotel that has fallen on hard times. It contains only one other guest – the professor we saw at the beginning.
The local aristocracy reaches out to the couple, inviting the two to dinner and then a ball. But it is soon clear that Dr, Ravna and his family have sinister intentions with regard to Marianne ….
This may be the least scary vampire movie ever made. When I think Hammer horror I think gore and ominous atmosphere. This movie is lacking in both as well as in good acting or storytelling. A disappointment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MuJ6hsU1Gs
