The Fearless Vampire Killers

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.

This film by Roman Polanski is a comedy, but it is not a broad comedy, like Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein". The characters don't speak in funny voices or camp it up. The action is played fairly straight and the comedy arises from its physical elements and the antics of the two main characters: Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran) and his assistant Alfred (Roman Polanski).

Abronsius is an expert on vampires, though he is roundly derided by his colleagues for his theories. He and Alfred arrive at a Transylvania inn, hoping to locate the castle of Count von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne). The locals try to hide the truth from the duo, but the Count reveals his presence and the two are taken to his sanctum.

Watch for Sharon Tate as Sarah Shagal.

It is Polanski, himself, who proves to be the best part of this film, playing an innocent, fearful assistant who falls for the comely Sarah.

The production values are very high. And they more than compensate for the sections of the film that move rather slowly. Polanski's skills as a director are undeniable. He would follow this film with "Rosemary's Baby".

A horror comedy, a parody film about vampire films, with all the clichés of the genre and the scathing humour to boot.

Great art, fresh but claustrophobic, joyful but scary, ending well but maybe not really.

A testament to an era when filmmakers knew how to have fun - and Sharon Tate is a beautiful girl to chew on.

A good moment of cinematographic humour to share in the dark ... but maybe not so dark.

The movie centers upon an old man (Jack McGowran) and a young (Roman Polanski) who go to track down a vampire count (Ferdy Mayne) who has abducted a countrywoman (Sharon Tate) and he hides her into his castle.

The film mingles terror , tongue-in-cheek , rip-roaring , humor , action and a lot of amusement . The runtime motion picture is overlong about two hours and some but isn't boring , but entertaining . Actors interpretation is good , Jack McGowran (being deceased after his playing in ¨The Exorcist¨) is riveting as double of Einstein and Roman Polanski as shy and botcher young is cool . Sharon Tate (marriage to Polanski in real life until Charles Manson massacre) is beautiful and wonderful . Producer Martin Ransohoff discovered Sharon Tate and insisted that director Roman Polanski use her instead of Jill St. John who withdrew shortly before shooting as Polanski had planned .

Originally Roman Polanski wanted to shoot his film on location in and around a castle in Switzerland which he saw during a vacation , but as this was impossible, other locations in the Alps were found, along with studio shoots in England . While on location, Polanski employed dozens of local artisans to make the large numbers of coffins needed in the film . Polanski direction is first-class , Christopher Komeda music (being dead at 31 years after he composed ¨Rosemary's baby¨ music) is fascinating . Douglas Slocombe cinematography is atmospheric and colorful with a Hammer-alike photography . Flick will appeal to Polanski buffs and horror/humor enthusiasts. Rating 7/10 . Above average , well worth watching .

Brilliant movie - beautifully shot and with Polanski's eye for detail. Very funny/quirky and atmospheric. I loaned it to a work colleague who thought Polanski only made horror films like 'Rosemary's Baby', she was amazed when confronted with this one. She thought it was great. Everyone is always very impressed with the ballroom scene with all the mirrors and the vampires dancing. The colours are fabulous and the outside scenes remind one of s Christmas card. If it's ever on t.v. it's always on around midnight or after, so I had to buy the DVD. Definitely one to watch late at night when you're alone!! It took me years to find it on DVD. I think the one I eventually bought was an import.