The Fearless Vampire Killers

Original title: Dance of the Vampires

1967
Approved
1h 31m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

35K

YOUR RATING

A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.

Play trailer2:16

1 Video

99 Photos

Dark Comedy Parody Survival Vampire Horror Comedy Horror

A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

35K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Videos1

Trailer 2:16

Official Trailer

Photos146

138

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
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. Unfortunately tourists were rather unnerved by the sight of these, and hotels had to erect signs to assure their guests that the area hadn't been struck by plague.

Goofs
Abronsius and Alfred attempt to enter Count Von Krolock's crypt through an entrance on the ground floor, the crypt itself being located in the cellar. However, when apprehended by Koukol the Hunchback, they decide to go for a window entrance instead. To do this they scale the castle wall and enter a top floor window, with the crypt itself magically relocated to the top floor.

Quotes
Shagal, the Inn-Keeper: [Magda tries to fend off Shagal, a Jewish Vampire, with a cross] Oy yoy! Have you got the wrong vampire!

Crazy credits
In the opening credits the MGM-lion transforms into a vampire.

Alternate versions
For the original UK cinema release heavy cuts were made by the BBFC to the scene of Von Krolock attacking Sarah in her bath in order for the film to receive an 'A' certificate. Later video and DVD releases restored the cuts and were upgraded to '15'.

Connections
Edited into The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)

User reviews183

Review

Featured review

7/10

Not very funny but it does have Sharon Tate

Dance of the Vampires isn't a very typical offering from Roman Polanski. This is his first colour feature film and up until this point his films were decidedly left-field and arty. This one is a considerably more commercial offering. It's effectively a parody of the British Hammer horror films that had been very popular up to this point. So its cultural references were fairly mainstream in the 60's. Set in the 19th century, it's about a professor and his assistant who travel to Eastern Europe seeking vampires. Before long they find themselves at the castle of the mysterious Count von Krolock.

The problem I have with this film is fairly straightforward – I don't find it very funny. The humour is very broad and present throughout. It ranges from the clever (a Jewish vampire who is unafraid of a crucifix) to the low-brow (lots of slapstick). It's occasionally amusing but rarely properly funny. So this is a bit of a problem in a film that is first and foremost a comedy. On the plus side it does look pretty, with nice snowbound landscapes and a Gothic castle to look at. The vampire's ball is also very good. But, for me, the single best aspect of Dance of the Vampires is easily Sharon Tate. She is achingly beautiful and provides a very welcome sensuality to proceedings. Her horrible murder two years later at the hands of the Manson Family clearly robbed the film world of someone quite considerable.