Planet of the Vampires
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Movie Reviews of Planet of the Vampires
Movie Review: Refreshing SCI-FI Horror (Inspiration for "LIFEFORCE"?)
Summary: 4 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 eerieness 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: A futuristic take on vampires!
Summary: 4 Stars
A crew of space explorers investigate a mysterious planet because of receiving a distress call on their radio. Soon, a race of strange vampiric aliens attack some of the crew members, draining their energy and taking over their bodies with minds in a sinister plan of ruling the universe.
From Italian terror master Mario Bava comes a strange and atmospheric science fiction movie that is a different take on vampires but as an alien race with vampiric qualities like draining blood and sleeping under flat rocks just like the vampires of myth sleep in coffins including possession. The costumes are just dazzling for it's time " The swinging 60's", some of the special effects are kind of hokey by today's CGI standards, the photography is nearly flawless and it's music is well done.
The DVD is quite fine on the picture & Sound quality with trailer, so if you want a different kind of sci-fi movie or an unusual kind of vampire movie then this is it.
Also recommended: "Lifeforce", "IT! The Terror from Outer Space", " Vampirella", " Alien Saga", "Predator", " Flash Gordon", " The Thing ( Both 1951 and 1982)", " The Hidden", "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", " Barberella".
Movie Review: A Neglected But Highly Influential Film
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been a fan of Planet of the Vampires for almost 23 years now. As a child I used to watch it with religous fervor any time it was broadcast on television. Over the years Planet...has been treated rather poorly on both VHS (SP and EP Mode) and laserdisc. The results betrayed the true genius of Bava's magic. Such neglect is not found on MGM's fantastic bare-bones DVD. I have never seen Planet of the Vampires look better. I'm not sure how this low budget oddity will fare with "sophisticated" viewers but I would rank this as one of Bava's best. The dialogue is dumb as dirt but the scenery and eerie tension of the film rise above it's low budget constraints. Scenes like the dead rising from their space graves, tearing off the plastic body bags that encase their decaying bodies and the exposure of a dead crewman's skinless chest gave me troubled sleep for many nights as a youngster. I imagine some newcomers will find this film silly but keep in mind Planet...was made in 1965 and has had an amazing influence on (just to name a few) Alien, Night of the Living Dead, and Event Horizon. I'd like to extend my thanks for those involved in putting together this wonderfully priced DVD.Movie Review: Flash Gordon Meets the Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Summary: 4 Stars
Italian director Mario Bava took time off from gothic horror flicks and made a solid sci-fi movie that stresses atmosphere over special effects wizardry and comic book action. A spaceship encounters hostile aliens on a remote planet. The creatures seek to inhabit the bodies and minds of the space travelers. Hence, the sensational title. No space age Dracula to report. Barry Sullivan is the ship's captain. The rest of the crew are obscure European actors, including the obligatory beautiful women in tight fitting leather space suits. Sorry, it's not that kind of a story. I find it curious that female scientists on rocket ships in B movies rarely look as if they are academic types. The story unfolds with a brooding air of mystery. The color photography is dark and dreary, and enhances the grim mood. There is a great plot twist during the last few minutes that is a real treat for first time viewers. Bottom line, this European sci-fi flick from the '60s is good fare for genre fans. "Normal" viewers should go carefully into this dark night. The no frills Midnight Movies edition of the DVD includes the trailer, but no bonus extras. ;-)Movie Review: Planet Of The Invasive Alien Spirits
Summary: 4 Stars
Planet Of The Invasive Alien Spirits would be a more accurate title for this movie as there are no vampires in it. In response to a signal transmission, two spaceships land on a rocky planet that has flowing, rolling mists and strange multicolored lights. After strangely fighting with each other, dead crewmen are resurrected by invasive alien spirits that want to take one of the ships back to their home planet. This Italian movie has many various conceptual elements that would later be seen in the first Star Trek television series and the movie Alien. There is also a surprising nonformula ending. I particularly liked the scene showing the crewman named Carter looking fearfully down at the giant alien skeleton on the ground near the derelict ship.