Deathmaster

Robert Quarry only did a handful of horror films unfortunately, but each showcases a fine performance of subtlety mixed with genuine menace. The Deathmaster is no exception. The film chronicles the activities of a vampire named Khorda that becomes the guru of a hippie commune in California. Quarry gives the vampiric guru charm and aloofness as he spouts hippie doctrines to eager high listeners, waiting for some kind of direction in their lives. The film itself is nothing monumental, yet I found it to be thoroughly entertaining. It is a period piece in a way, because it shows just how prevalent the hippie culture was and shows us the costume of the day so to speak. Quarry gives a fine performance, as do the bulk of the cast. There are some splendid scenes in the film, most notably the opening one of a man on a beach performing some ritual and playing his flute. Moments later we see a coffin wash up on the shore. A jogger comes across it, opens it, and attempts to flee. Just as he turns, the flute player throttles him and he falls to the sun-dried sand. This is the best scene in the film, but the rest is pretty entertaining overall.

I wasn't sure if I would like The Deathmaster or not, since I really didn't personally care much for the Count Yorga movie. I liked some of Robert Quarry's other work in films though, so I figured I would give this one a shot.

I must say that I liked it more than I thought was possible. It has a distinct and unmistakable 1970's cheesy "vibe" running rampant throughout the movie. That actually works in favor of the movie, it gives it an authentic flair of the era. The story is nothing too fabulous or original, but it was the visuals that intrigued me. The cinematography work on The Deathmaster was well above average.

So, it's a pretty good vampire flick of the early 1970's. Definitely worth a look for both Quarry fans, and also for Vampire aficionados.

A pipe playing reject from the cast of "I Walked With a Zombie" and an ancient vampire who bears more than a passing resemblance to Jason Isaacs take over some prime oceanside property (isn't that just like a bloodsucker?) and seduce a bunch of young and groovy hippies, forcing them to participate in all-night dance parties. A pretty girl who looks like Jane Asher falls under the spell of the Vampires, and it's up to her inept boyfriend and an old geeky man to save her. When the police fail to believe their story, they attempt to make a rescue on their own. Can they save her in time? Who cares, really?

A biker-momma and her old man are the first to become food. A young man displays his Kung Fu talents at films beginning, and when attacked by a group of vampires, apparently forgets all of his martial arts training and starts kicking and screaming like a two year old having a tantrum. The Vampire dresses like Liberace...it's all pretty goofy, but it's harmless. I can think of worse ways to waste an hour or so.

Great early 70's clothing, a philosophizing folk song (wow, man is like a river, that's like, so deep), not so subtle drug references, and the undead! What more could you possibly ask for? Deathmaster really is Quarry's movie with his Mansonesque portrayal of Khorda infiltrating and taking over a commune of lost hippies. The movie's effectiveness really lies in the context that people can be so easily controlled and fall victim to cults, rather than the fact that Khorda possesses their minds because he is a vampire. That Quarry is made up to look like Charles Manson is a not-so-subtle hint to the movie's theme, the resemblance being especially relevant at the time the movie was made.Look for character actor and voice-over artist John Fiedler as the owner of a hippie bead shop!

The movie slows down and becomes a little dull about 2/3 of the way through, and yes, it's terribly dated, but this obscure little gem is an 8/10 for 60's and 70's horror movie freaks like myself. It's certainly a guilty pleasure. I found it at a convention, and watching it brought back a lot fond memories of the Saturday afternoon Chiller Theater flicks like Deathmaster, Lemora, Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, as well as a ton of bizarre British horror movies, and even some old giallo that independent stations like Channels 5, 9, and 11 out of NYC used to run constantly in the late 70's through the mid 80's. If you're a fan of such things, you'll want to own this movie.

What a truly tripy movie. An obscure and mostly overlooked cult classic. Not certain if the original Yorga film was to ever see a sequel, and having been paid peanuts compared to what the film had grossed at the box office, Quarry was determined to make a quick buck by exploiting "The Deathmaster" name (which had been used profusely in the iconic promo posters of the original Count Yorga Vampire film) and the whole concept of him as a chic and charismatic vampire. A true exploitation film through and through, the movie obviously tries to make Quarry appear like Charles Manson. It also ties into the whole "evil cult" aspect of the Charles Manson case and the infamous and brutal murders, which had, at the time, shocked the nation to its very core. In the end it's a descent film, but not nearly as entertaining as the original Count Yorga Vampire movie or the riveting sequel, The Return of Count Yorga. In any case, it's nothing less than a true gem of a film for any hardcore horror fan.