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Dance of the Vampires (1967) More at IMDbPro »

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112 comments in total

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32 out of 45 people found the following comment useful :-
what Poland once was, with a smile (revealing fangs), 25 June 2006

Author: (winner55) from United States

Well, what is this movie about? To begin with: although the vampire was best popularized in the modern era by English writers, it is really a myth of Eastern European Roman Catholicism. (I could explain that better - and why the English so well co-opted it - but obviously not here.) This type of Catholicism (which finally produced a Pope in John Paul II) now only thrives (and none too well) in Poland - Polanski's home country. During the Second World War, Poland was utterly decimated. First, a large portion of its wealthiest citizens, who happened to be Jewish, were exterminated. The Polish catholics themselves were split radically between anti-semitic nationalists (who also, mistakenly, thought the Nazis would save them from the Russians) and pro-Communists who, mistakenly, thought the Russians would save them from the Nazis. Obviously, this was a no-win situation for the Poles. And yet the first cinematic impression of this disaster arrived in the form of - a comedy - Ernst Lubitsch's "To Be Or Not To Be" (later remade by Mel Brooks).

Does the reader really need to know all this to appreciate this movie? actually, yes. This film is laughter at death's door. The funniest and most memorable line in the film is from the Jewish vampire, responding to a threatened crucifix: "Oy vey, have you got the wrong vampire!" Funny? - Hilarious. Unfortunately, if this Vampire had any grandchildren, they all died in Auschwitz.

Why am I playing such a heavy hand here? Because this really is a great horror-comedy, far better and far more important than the studio hacks at MGM who released this film (after chopping it up) could ever have understood.

There is unfortunately no rumor that there's a director's cut in the vaults; it is well to remember that Polanski nearly disowned this film on release, and really only reclaimed it after the brutal slaying of his wife, who plays such an important role in the film.

But even as shredded as it is (pay especially close attention to the discontinuities involving the Professor), this is still marvelously written, directed, and photographed - truly frightening at moments, utterly hilarious at others, but always grounded in a particularly Polish sensibility which is now, alas, a thing of the past; - the preservation of a culture that, at its best, was among the best in Europe.

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24 out of 33 people found the following comment useful :-
One of the all-time great horror spoofs, 24 June 2000
Author: (stew100@accesspro.net) from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

When I first saw this film on TV in the early 70s, I thought it was so cheesy I gave it very little attention. Then in the early 90s it was released on laserdisc in a letterboxed version and I bought it on a lark. After I viewed in the first time I still didn't think much of it and thought maybe I wasted my money. But then, as the years passed, I would look at it every so often and now I love the film. It is an acquired taste. You first have to love vampire films -- the old-fashioned, Gothic kind. Next, you need to appreciate Polanski's style and his understated approach. It's also best to watch this film late at night with the lights off, and especially with a snow storm outside. Give it a chance and this film will creep up on you. Hopefully it will come to DVD soon.

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21 out of 28 people found the following comment useful :-
Dance with Vampires!, 3 June 2002

Author: marisol

The title "fearless vampire killers" it's not so good as "Dance of the Vampires",outside U.S. this is the original title

I always will remember this film as "Dance of the Vampires" ALSO,CONGRATULATIONS to Mr Polanski for the Palme D' Or, he deserves it(without him just cinema "boring")

I enjoyed poetic scenes such as like moment in Sarah's bath comparing the textures of first soap bubbles, then falling snowflakes, and finally crimson blood. when Alfred(Polanski) carries his master across the castle battlements remind me of Polanski early short films. Krystov Komeda's music has been acclaimed as "the most innovative and haunting score ever devised for a horror movie" by the heavyweight Aurum Film Encyclopedia. Krystof Komeda's wondrous music, with its weird choral effects and little melodies Komeda's score communicates the Kafka-like isolation of the setting and the characters

Polanski chose some of the finest English cinema craft artists to work on the film: cameraman Douglas Slocombe, production designer Wilfrid Shingleton Polanski engaged noted choreographer Tutte Lemkow, who played the actual Fiddler in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, for the film's climactic Danse Macabre minuet.

Sharon Tate as Sarah was delightful(we should remember her in a good way,as a decent actress and person,her scene with Polanski is really cool ,especially "the bite scene") Jack MacGowran as Professor Abronsius is just great Polanski's films often deal in contrasts of master and servant, the empowered and the powerless. The supposedly benign Abronsius bullies Alfred for his own purposes, just as the vampires consider all of humankind a resource to be harvested.

The character called Shagal got the best lines in the movie,when A woman thrusts a crucifix in his face, only for Shagal - a Jewish rather than a Christian vampire - to go "Oy-yoy! You got the wrong vampire" and bite her anyway Count Von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne, who plays the Count)he looks really as a Nosferatu or a man that needs Transfusion!.

Also funny is Herbert, the openly gay vampire who is interested in Alfred rather than Sara, the sexual deviations implicit in early Hammer films like The Brides of Dracula (1960) and Kiss of the Vampire (1964) are brought out. Hammer would increasingly exploit this in their lesbian

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10 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
Dim Alfred, the vampire killer's apprentice has to learn fast if he's going to save the beautiful daughter of the Innkeeper., 24 January 2007

Author: funnybunny-7 from United Kingdom

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.

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10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
„There's a smell of garlic sausage", 4 December 2006

Author: fidomax from Poland

When I think about R.Polanski the first thing coming to my mind is - "the master of fear and horror", and I knew it that "Fearless vampire Killers" is rare example of comedy by this great director. Yeah, I was worried before seeing this movie, not as much about "geting it", but more so about simple thing - could this movie be entertaining for "21st Century Boy".

First thing that striked me was beautiful music by Komeda. I was in total awe. The music was scary, but at the same time so light and funny - just like for a good fair story. And then the beautiful winter scenery that was so fake - almost cartooning. Few minutes into the movie, and I could say "that's what I call movie poetry".

The story is so simple. The old bat researcher, professor Abronsius and his assistant, Alfred, go to a remote Transylvanian village looking for vampires. They stay in house where no one speaks about vampires, but the garlic is hanging everywhere. Simplistic story is so right for this movie, because acting, scenery, music, cinematography are all in top shape here. For composition I think this is one of the best movie done by Polanski, next to "Tenant" for sure.

And this movie is also a rare occasion to see Polanski in comedic role. He and Brach make unforgettable duo. I was totally entertain when in came to comedy in this movie, but the thing that surprise me the most was the action factor. There is one scene that is great example of that - when Polanski character is looking through keyhole and is so scared of what he see that his face is screaming "terror". It's sure funny, but in a way mad-scary too. And when I think about this movie - this scene sums it up for me.

Its very funny, but little outdated movie. For me one a few really cinematic fairy tales, that keeps magic all the way to the end. Its up there with Repulsion, Tenant, and Tess when in comes to greatest work of this director.

And just think about brilliant ending, so funny, so mad. It's a shame Polanski hasn't made another comedy. Don't get me started with Pirates - the most unfunny movie in history. But "Fearless Vampire Killers " is movie magic - pure and simple.

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10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
A classic vampire movie, outdated; but still great fun!, 19 November 2006

Author: danielensylvia from Netherlands

Now this is the movie that i have watched when i was twelve years old, and made me fall head over heels in love with the horror-genre. Today, it may look outdated (wich of course is the truth), but in my opinion it still is the best vampire movie ever created. If you should take the effort of watching this entire picture, you will come to the conclusion that Polanski has made a masterpiece. Special notes should be taken for the musical score. Such a cliché, but unmissable for this picture. This is a classic horror movie with a perfect, ambient atmosphere that suites the movie perfectly! Today, the teenagers are growing up with vampire movies like blade and underworld. But these are not to be called horror movies. There is little or no atmosphere, just pocket fillers for the movie makers. For classic and Gothic atmosphere, you cannot do any better then "The fearless vampire killers" For those of you who have become curious: enjoy!!

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18 out of 29 people found the following comment useful :-
Awesome, 5 November 2001

Author: zetes from Saint Paul, MN

This isn't the best horror/comedy. Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein is. However, second place has just got to go to this one, and there's no shame in being second here. I don't know too much about Roman Polanski's career (I think I know more about his personal life): I've seen Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown, and FVK is the third of his that I've seen. I would never have imagined from those two movies that he could direct comedy, and thus I came into FVK very skeptical. At first, I thought that the laughs were few and far between. I also thought that Polanski's direction was too showy for a comedy. But as the film went on, the comic moments began to build. And the showy direction ceased seeming showy and began to seem wonderful. If you find yourself not laughing a lot, it's understandable. Just sit back and enjoy Polanski's amazing direction. And the laughs, although, to many, they may seem too few, those that there are are enormous. I'd also like to praise the actors, including Roman Polanski himself. The set design, especially in the castle, is more than amazing. It's simply beautiful. The film has a few slow spots, and the end is particularly disappointing. Polanski himself would probably be angry at me for rejecting his ending, but it's not the finale that I object to so much as the weak climax. The suspense (yes, suspense is plentiful in this comedy) was building so well during that climactic sequence, and it doesn't pay off.

And I really don't want to give too much away, because everything is best experienced freshly (I hadn't even heard of this film before I saw that it was to be on TCM), but, man, watch out for the dance scene. I LOVE Chinatown, but I think, from the three Polanski films that I've seen, that that scene is his crowning achievement. 9/10.

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
My Favorite Parody of Vampire Movies, 20 September 2009

Author: Claudio Carvalho from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The famous Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran) and his clumsy assistant Alfred (Roman Polanski) travel to the remote Transylvania to research vampires. They are hosted in an inn by Shagal (Alfie Bass) and sooner the shy Alfred falls in love for the inn-keeper's red-haired daughter Sarah (Sharon Tate). When Sarah is abducted by the mysterious Count von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne), Professor Abronsius and Alfred head to his creepy castle. The duo of scientists are welcomed by the count and his gay son Herbert (Iain Quarrier) and invited to a vampire ball late night.

"Dance of the Vampires" is my favorite parody of vampire movies ever. The first time I saw it on the 60's or 70's, I felt in love for Sharon Tate and for this movie. I have watched "Dance of the Vampires" many times, and the last time was on 08 June 2003, when I voted ten (10) in IMDb. Yesterday I saw "Dance of the Vampire" again, and now I found it a little dated but still excellent. The beauty of Sharon Tate is still very impressive and very few actresses in cinema history are as beautiful as she. Roman Polanski performing an awkward assistant; Jack MacGowran in the role of the dedicated professor that accidentally "spread the evil around the world"; Alfie Bass in the role of the wolf inn-keeper Shagal; Terry Downes and his unforgettable servant Koukol; Ian Quarries and his performance as Herbert, the gay vampire-son of the count; and Ferdy Mayne in the role of the creepy Count von Krolock, all of them are still awesome in their stunning performances. From the arrival of the frozen professor to the village to the departure of the same professor bringing two vampires in his sleigh, there are many hilarious and unforgettable scenes. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "A Dança dos Vampiros" ("The Dance of the Vampires")

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10 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
childhood memory..., 17 June 1999

Author: Molly-14 from Canada

This movie is one of my best childhood movie-watching memories.

I like both the opening and the ending. Especially the ending, which surprised me and made me want more of the story. What happens next? But it's genius to end like that. And it's the first vampire movie I watched. I also like the funny elements in the movie.

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13 out of 21 people found the following comment useful :-
Fairytale In Three Acts, 7 July 2005

Author: TemporaryOne-1 from Orlando, Florida, USA

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

BEWARE: CONTAINS SPOILERS THROUGHOUT

Dance Of The Vampires is filmed in soft, bewitchingly pure-white snow. Amidst the magical snow filled landscapes of the Dolomite mountains, the fairytale begins. A shrilly chorus starts chanting an ostinato baroque melody, quivering comedically as the notes rise and fall in short, repeated patterns. Bright red cartoonish blood drops dip down the nocturnal blue background, bouncing off the credits. One drop hits a letter and explodes into a little bright red cartoonish bat, then flies away. The nocturnal blue sky casts an eerie azure glow over the snow, as a sleigh enters the screen, jingling along the lovely snow ridden paths. Wispy winds are heard in the distance, alongside fragmented howls.

Professor Ambrosius (Jack McGowran), called "The Nut" by his colleagues, looks frozen. His helper, Alfred (director Roman Polanski), looks scared. A pack of wild, black dogs threatens the sleigh; Alfred, reminiscent of the great Buster Keaton, attempts to threaten the savage dogs with an umbrella. As if an umbrella would scare away wild dogs! Thus, the adventure begins.

THE INN (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

Ambrosius literally falls into the hands of local townspeople, European-Slavic Jews, who are mysteriously living locked up in an inn. Garlic decorates the rustic-red interior of the confining inn. The Inn-Keeper Shagal (Alfie Bass) and his townspeople deny that vampires exist, and quickly dismiss any talk of castles. They seem ashamed that such monsters even exist, even as they protect themselves from being victims of the vampires. They seem even more ashamed at their inability to fight off the monsters, much like the European and Slavic Jews who were unable to fight the Holocaust.

Alfred ogles the full bosom of the vivacious, tempting, red-haired Sarah (Sharon Tate), Shagal's daughter, whose sexual energy ignites the introverted Alfred. Shagal (who's also sexually repressed) attempts to repress her sexuality, which creates a link between the fear of monsters and the fear of sexuality. The link is left unexplored, because people know that there is really nothing to fear, there's no true danger, but they like being scared anyway. The vampires are in far-off castles, sex is not talked about, and Alfred slams the door shut as Sarah sensually bathes.

Small, cramped spaces, repressed sexuality, and lack of cleanliness unsettles Sarah; soon, Count Von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne) bites Sarah as she's bathing, and takes her away from the Inn. As the Professor and Alfred stare at the blood on the bubbles and snow drifting downward onto the bath, Shagal immediately follows the Count, and is also bitten. After a chase, Ambrosius follows Shagal in pursuit of the vampires, and the fearful, childish Alfred follows in hot pursuit of Sarah.

THE CASTLE (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

They find the picturesque, Gothic castle, its feudal exterior slightly in ruin, snow enveloping the nooks, battlements, floor, steps, and crannies, creating an enchanting fairytale visage. Alfred and Ambrosius scale the roof, slide down, meet the hunchback, and leer at the hellish-red schemed interior of the castle, which slightly resembles the interior of a church, with high-vaulted arches. Soon they greet His Excellency. The Count (His Excellency) and the Professor discuss the philosophy of vampirism. The Count compliments the Professor's well-written vampire book, and asks the Professor to sign a copy for him. The Count's flamboyantly homosexual son likes Alfred.

In the morning, they seek the crypt. Alfred to Ambrosius, whom he calls Master: maybe there is no crypt in the castle.

Alfred, once again Keatonesque, pratfalls and stumbles as he refuses to slay the count, pleading for mercy as Ambrosius hangs halfway down from a window, stuck. Still morning, Alfred finds Sarah bathing (she's not fully transformed), and she refuses to leave the castle. Afterall, there's wide open spaces, open sexuality, and baths.

THE DANCE (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

A gorgeous Dance unfolds before them. Vampires celebrating fresh blood - first let's dance, then we'll feast! Classical baroque music floods the room as the ghastly vampires, adorned in vividly-coloured frocks, move in a classically choreographed fashion; the entire scene resembles Poe's Masque Of Red Death. Sarah, wearing a dazzlingly bright crimson red dress, is the Mask of Death, and she's the center of attention. She looks strikingly beautiful and purely innocent. Alfred and Ambrosius come to the rescue.

They flee the Dance, jump into a sleigh, and take off into the snow, under a midnight-blue sky. Alfred ponders Sarah's delicate, tiny hand, and whimsically dreams about sleeping. Sarah's fangs plunge into his neck...

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