Planet of the Vampires
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.88 You Save: $10.10 (67%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.98 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Planet of the Vampires
Movie Review: Top-notch Sci-Fi film......for 1965
Summary: 5 Stars
It amazes me how many intelligent reviewers forget that when this film was made, nobody had done anything like it, how scornfully the public at large viewed sci-fi movies, and how primitive the technology back then was compared to what we have now. This was an italian movie, so yes, the dubbed voices are going to cast a pall over the performances (which were quite competent if you are an italian, it is only us americans and brits who speak in monotones, the rest of the world emotes). The costumes were inspired, the atmosphere was creepy, the story was original (if the viewer has the imagination to understand that this came long before the imitations he or she had no doubt seen first) and actually, by 1965 standards, it WAS rather gory (more so than contemporary Hammer films)! Few US-made horror flicks from that year, or the next couple of years after, were quite as grisly (Herschell Gordon Lewis aside, but Bava's film is done with a dead serious tone, and it isn't about gore but mounting fear). Though the movie shows its age now, perhaps the problem here lies in the fact that for many years after its release, it gave the impression of being more modern than it was. The first half of this film you have seen re-made almost blow-by-blow as "Alien" many years later (including a primitive but nevertheless impressively "artsy" fore-runner to the Space-Jockey scene). But there is no monster, and the rest of the film involves alien life-forces in search of bodies to inhabit, and almost turns into a zombie film. Moody, fog-shrouded sets with wailing winds add to the tension created by the famed Mario Bava's eerie directing style(his "Black Sabbath" inspired certain scenes in Romero's "Night of the Living Dead"). Bava uses his trademark psychedelic lighting and literally uses smoke and mirrors to obscure the low budget of the production (as he pioneered in "Hercules in the Haunted World" where he was in charge of lighting). Bava's work is essential for understanding the evolution of the horror film, and this one is essential for understanding the sci-fi horror film in particular. And check out those black leather space outfits! Also released in TV syndication as "Demon Planet".Movie Review: 60's SPACED OUT ITALIAN SCI FI
Summary: 5 Stars
With little fanfare, MGM has quietly transferred a handful of great B films to DVD that they not too arbitrarily categorize as "Midnight Movies." The nice looking digital prints are in their original theatrical format and appear as if they were taken from original material. The discs come with no substantial extras but care has been lavished on the box art, often reflecting the lurid lobby cards and posters of their initial release. Even acknowledging the B category, these are for the most part fairly well-crafted and, well, almost adequately acted. Italian shockmesiter Mario Bava's "PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES" was released under at least a half dozen other titles, including "Planet of Blood," "Space Mutants," and "Demon Plant." And, perhaps to further enlighten, the screenplay was adapted from the Italian sci-fi short story that translates in English as "One Night of 21 Hours." Wonder what that means, if anything? Missing time, apparently.
In any event, these various titles say it all. If you get my drift.
Barry Sullivan stars and gives the dark material everything he's got. Which, frankly, is not a whole lot. The show biz rag Variety actually said of this off beat title: "A psychological thriller that should keep the young on the edge of their seats." On the edge trying to figure out what's going on. Or maybe, on the edge after dozing off. It's open to interpretation as is the movie. Warning: Don't dare see this one in an altered state -- there may be no return.
The disc is widescreen and unrated.
Oh, did I say 5 stars? Yes, it's minus 5 stars. This one's so bad it's, well, awful.
Movie Review: Refreshing SCI-FI Horror (Inspiration for "LIFEFORCE"?)
Summary: 5 Stars
For those of you who have seen James Cameron's "ALIENS," don't expect the same amount of high-energy excitement; however, I wouldn't call this film "boring." Director Mario Bava is probably best known as a "visual director," or an "artist," since the film is a showcase for his surreal use of multi-colored sets and lighting gels, making it look absolutely unique--like no other sci-fi you've ever seen. I think I might even prefer "PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES" to "FORBIDDEN PLANET," believe it or not--"FORBIDDEN" was, to me, somewhat slow and dragging.
This film at least keeps your interest. There is a constant, non-stop eeriness throughout, with ghostly planetary sounds (of unknown origin), with a feeling of foreboding evil; some chills may overwhelm you...some hairs may be raised. It's not scary (i.e., jump-outta-your-seat), but haunting in both its conception & presentation...some concepts in the storyline may have even inspired the 1985 film, "LIFEFORCE."
It's only 87 minutes long, beautifully presented in 1:85 Widescreen, and the film print is as crisp and physically flawless as it no doubt looked during its premier in 1965. I once owned this on VHS...full-screen (1:33), and the images were murky and "squashed" like a Godzilla movie. Is the DVD worth the money? Of course, it is...perhaps even a little MORE. If you'd rather rent it first...please do so; either way, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Movie Review: best-of-breed for 1965 science fiction: spoiler: NO vampires!
Summary: 5 Stars
some reviewers pan the film because there are no vampires in it. the title is unfortunately misleading; and given all the alternate english titles this movie has, it's clear producers and distributors had a hard time deciding on a title that best captures the film's thesis. if you're looking for vampires, don't buy this film.
some reviewers pan the film because it doesn't meet the sci-fi film standards of early 21-st century hollywood (in special effects, pacing, and dialogue). this is unfair. in chronology, this film falls between forbidden planet (1956) and 2001: a space odyssey (1968). in a way, this film serves as a tribute to kubrick: watching this film, you can see how high kubrick raised the bar.
and yet, i think this film is very good in its own right. story elements are consistent within the universe portrayed here, and the audience is offered a surprise ending.
i watched this film once, as a nine-year-old. four decades later, i finally got to see it (i had no idea what the title was, and i had only a nine-year-old's recollection of the story to guide me in my search for it). my memory of the story is way better than the film. but the fact that it stuck with me for so long also serves as a kudo for the film.
Movie Review: Terrore Nello Spazio!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I like this film alot. Planet of the Vampires has some cool sci-fi(for it's time)futuristic dialog and gadgets. In one scene a female character actually SCANS a document with a scanner next to a computer monitor, and THIS IS IN 1965!!!! Also this was a year before Star Trek came out, so you can't accuse of copycat. It's similar to Star Trek but much darker and sinister. The colors are really cool but when I seen it in black and white when I was a kid on "Monster Movie Matinee" I thought it was more eerie. They have neat weapons and cool black leather suits. At one point the captain and a hot chick Italian actress find a derelict ship with some ancient giant skeletons in it. By the way this movie has tons o titles but I think the original Italian one is Terrore Nello Spazio, which means Terror in Space. Even though this is always accredited as totally Italian, Barry Sullivan the star is American, I believe and the film company is American International. I would recommend this to anyone who likes older sci-fi.