Dance of the Vampires (1967)

Director:

Roman Polanski

Writers:

Gérard Brach (story) &
Roman Polanski (story)

Release Date:

June 1967 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

Who says Vampires are no laughing matter?

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Professor | Castle | Transylvania | Bat

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jack MacGowran	...	Professor Abronsius
Roman Polanski	...	Alfred, Abronsius' Assistant
Alfie Bass	...	Shagal, the Inn-Keeper
Jessie Robins	...	Rebecca Shagal
Sharon Tate	...	Sarah Shagal
Ferdy Mayne	...	Count von Krolock
Iain Quarrier	...	Herbert von Krolock
Terry Downes	...	Koukol, the Servant
Fiona Lewis	...	Magda, the Maid
Ronald Lacey	...	Village Idiot
Sydney Bromley	...	Sleigh Driver
Andreas Malandrinos	...	Woodcutter
Otto Diamant	...	Woodcutter
Matthew Walters	...	Woodcutter

Also Known As:

The Fearless Vampire Killers (USA)
The Fearless Vampire Killers or: Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck (USA) (DVD box title)
The Vampire Killers (USA) (working title)
Vampire Ball (Europe) (working title)
Le bal des vampires (Canada: French title) (France) (dubbed version) [fr]
A Dança dos Vampiros (Brazil) [pt]
Der Tanz der Vampire (Switzerland: German title) [de]
El baile de los vampiros (Spain) [es]
I nyhta ton vrykolakon (Greece) [el]
La danza de los vampiros (Argentina) [es]
Nieustraszeni pogromcy wampirów (Poland) [pl]
Per favore, non mordermi sul collo (Italy) [it]
Por Favor Não Me Morda o Pescoço (Portugal) [pt]
Tanz der Vampire (West Germany) [de]
Vámpírok bálja (Hungary) [hu]
Vampyrdrådarna - Ursäkta, ja har era tänder i nacken (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Vampyrernas natt (Sweden) [sv]
Vampyrernes nat (Denmark) [da]
Vampyyrintappajat (Finland) [fi]
Vampyyrintappajat - anteeksi, hampaanne ovat niskassani (Finland) [fi]

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Netherlands:12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Brazil:Livre | Germany:12 (DVD rating) | West Germany:16 (nf) (original rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:16 (1968) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:Unrated | West Germany:12 (w) (f) (re-rating) | UK:A (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, Veneto, Italy

Company:

Cadre Films

Trivia:

The portrait on the wall in Alfred's bedroom in Count von Krolok's castle is of Richard III, king of England from 1483 to 1485.

Goofs:

Continuity: 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: [a young woman tries to fend off Shagail, a Jewish Vampire, with a cross] Oy vey, have you got the wrong vampire.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Van Helsing (2004)

Dim Alfred, the vampire killer's apprentice has to learn fast if he's going to save the beautiful daughter of the Innkeeper.

Brilliant movie - beautifully shot and with Polanski's eye for detail. Very funny/quirky and atmospheric. I loaned it to a work colleague who thought Polanski only made horror films like 'Rosemary's Baby', she was amazed when confronted with this one. She thought it was great. Everyone is always very impressed with the ballroom scene with all the mirrors and the vampires dancing. The colours are fabulous and the outside scenes remind one of s Christmas card. If it's ever on t.v. it's always on around midnight or after, so I had to buy the DVD. Definitely one to watch late at night when you're alone!! It took me years to find it on DVD. I think the one I eventually bought was an import.