Lake of Dracula

Arriving at a small lake-side town, a new teacher comes to suspect that someone is behind the strange incidents and dead bodies piling up around town, and when she learns that a master vampire has moved into the area she sets out to stop his blood-soaked reign against the villagers.

This was a decent enough if slightly flawed vampire effort. One of the few solid points involved here comes from the way this goes about trying to instill the idea of the vampire in the area as the build- up here is somewhat credible. Building the strange crate delivery alongside her arrival at the same time is quite nicely handled, and the first attacks, as well as the discovery of their aftermath, all come off rather well as the mystery starts to unfold. Even some of the fine action scenes throughout here, from the abduction in the woods before being startled away and the hospital resurrection of the first body to the idea of the nightly romps through the woods where he's able to feast on her friend despite continually denying it all makes for a rather fun time here and sells the idea of her mental competence rather well which runs through the first half of the film. Once it's confirmed that there are vampires involved, things pick up far more here with the Gothic action scenes really enhancing this one from the ambush in the car at the same time the two of them trap her in the home and begin tormenting her or the hospital awakening sequence give this some really energetic and lively moments. However, it's really the big confrontation at the end which really works best here with the Gothic imagery and action really making for a great finish and gives this one a lot to really like here with the way it all wraps up inside the basement and spreading throughout the rest of the house. Still, while these are the film's good points there are a few negative issues. One of the main problems is the fact that the film really suffers from a stiff and dragged out beginning where not a whole lot really makes an impact. Despite the series of events that play out here detailing the emergence of the vampire around the village, it's still a somewhat dull and dragged-out effort where those brief spurts feel like exceptions to the bland dialogue-heavy sequences that are much more commonly featured so this one really feels like it takes a while to get going. By focusing on her burgeoning mental instability doesn't make for a fun time here regardless of how well the vampire storyline is built through these events, this one really takes more time than it should in letting loose with its story and comes across as somewhat duller than it should be considering what goes on. Likewise, there's also the rather economical manner this one manages to make the heroine think of her predicament and how she buys into it all, as a few throwaway lines regarding the Western methods of dealing with vampires and yet it's completely bought into without so much as a real questionable thought. This makes for a tough time overall, although it does still have its moments.

Rated Unrated/R: Violence, Language and violence-against-animal aftermath.

On the age of five, Akiko Kashiwagi had a weird dream that has traumatized her life. Eighteen years later, Akiko Kashiwagi (Midori Fujita) is a school teacher that lives with her younger sister Natsuko Kashiwagi (Sanae Emi) and their dog Leo in an isolated house by a lake. Her fiancé Dr. Takashi Saeki (Chôei Takahashi) visits her every now and then when possible. When a coffin is delivered in the boat house of her acquaintance nearby her house, he is subdue by a weird man (Shin Kishida). Soon victims without blood and two holes on the neck arrive in the hospital and Dr. Takashi Saeki is attacking them at the lakeshore where Akiko lives and he decides to investigate.

"Noroi no yakata: Chi o suu me", a.k.a. "Lake of Dracula", is another vampire movie produced by Toho studios. The flawed plot is entertaining and is funny to see Akiko and Takashi going to the vampire house during the night without any weapon. The age of the dog Leo is also intriguing. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "O Lago de Drácula" ("The Lake of Dracula")

"Noroi no yakata: Chi o suu me," directed by Michio Yamamoto in 1971, stands as a notable piece in the annals of Japanese horror cinema. This film, often referred to in English as "The Lake of Dracula," weaves a tale rich in gothic atmospheres and eerie storytelling. While it is not without its flaws, it offers an intriguing blend of traditional horror elements and unique cultural undertones that make it a worthy watch for fans of the genre.

The plot centers around Akiko, played by Midori Fujita, who is haunted by visions of a mysterious mansion and a traumatic childhood encounter with a strange man possessing hypnotic powers and sharp, vampiric teeth. The narrative unfolds as Akiko, now an adult and a schoolteacher, begins to experience a series of unsettling events, all seemingly connected to her past and the enigmatic figure she once encountered.

Fujita's portrayal of Akiko is compelling and layered, capturing the character's descent into fear and confusion with a nuanced performance that anchors the film. Her ability to convey vulnerability and determination adds depth to a role that could have easily succumbed to genre clichés. Akiko's journey is punctuated by moments of genuine suspense, particularly in scenes where she is confronted with the eerie occurrences linked to the mansion of her childhood nightmares.

One standout scene that encapsulates the film's chilling essence involves Akiko's return to the lake where she first encountered the vampire. The haunting imagery of the mansion reflected in the still waters, coupled with the atmospheric score, creates a palpable sense of dread. This moment is a testament to Yamamoto's skill in crafting suspense through visual and auditory means, making it one of the most memorable sequences in the film.

Michio Yamamoto's direction shines through his adept handling of the film's pacing and atmosphere. He crafts a visually arresting experience, utilizing the gothic aesthetic to its fullest potential. The film's use of shadows, fog, and dimly lit interiors enhances the sense of foreboding that permeates the narrative. The cinematography, combined with a haunting score, envelops the viewer in a world where the supernatural feels ever-present.

However, "Noroi no yakata: Chi o suu me" is not without its shortcomings. The screenplay occasionally falters, with some dialogue feeling stilted and certain plot developments lacking sufficient depth. Additionally, the supporting characters, while competently portrayed, do not receive as much development as Akiko, resulting in a somewhat uneven ensemble performance.

Despite these issues, the film's strengths lie in its ability to evoke a sense of classic horror while incorporating distinctly Japanese elements. The cultural nuances, such as the depiction of traditional beliefs about spirits and the afterlife, enrich the narrative and set it apart from Western vampire lore.

In conclusion, "Noroi no yakata: Chi o suu me" is a visually and atmospherically rich horror film that, despite its narrative flaws, succeeds in delivering a haunting and memorable experience. Midori Fujita's standout performance and Michio Yamamoto's direction elevate the film, making it a significant entry in the realm of 1970s horror cinema.

Somehow, while being a fan of Japanese horror and ghost story movies, I managed to never have heard of the so-called Bloodthirsty trilogy. They are loads of fun.

Lake of Dracula is the middle film in the trilogy. It has an atmospheric opening, an entertaining if periodically slow moving middle portion, and a fantastic climax, including quite an ending. Wow, did they ever go for it with the ending!

There are a couple of annoying inconsistencies in the script, but really, perfect logic is never really the point in most modern Japanese horror. It's more about atmosphere, mood, and, in the case of these wonderful and unusual Japanese Gothic horror movies, a garish luredness lifted straight from the Hammer movies. The actors are also appealing and competent, and when consistently applied (it doesn't always cover the necks) the blue-gray vampire makeup is pretty cool.

Interesting context: the Bloodthirsty trilogy was produced by Toho, and Lake of Dracula was released the same year as Toho's Godzilla vs. Hedorah.

Highly recommended for fans of Hammer horror, Gothic horror, and Japanese horror cinema.

I had some difficulty with this one. Interesting as a Japanese version of a Hammer horror but although it looked fairly good, with all the expected cobwebs, old house, awkward fangs, multiple shots of bite marks (same every time and repeated?) and sounded okay, creaking doors, thunder and lightening and plenty of screams, this did creak a bit (pardon the pun). A leisurely start is basically followed by a wordy middle and amazingly a rather slow ending, just when things really should have been going bump. Some nice late 60s/early 70s costumes including some pretty English coats and suits plus an extensive use of scarves which were presumably to hide bite marks that weren't there. Colourful but slightly annoying in that the makers had clearly seen many Hammers yet the cast had not because they seemed oblivious to the end, when all had to be spelled out. Nice that it was made clear that these were not Japanese vampires but foreigners. Of course!