Vampire Cult

I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that my computer isn't fixed just yet. My friend thinks he can save the hard drive, which turned out to have some kind of virus that attacked it, but he wasn't able to get to it today. Since he is working on it for free, I can't really complain about how long he takes to fix it. But I was hoping he could get it done before the weekend. The good news is, I have access to a lap top. The best gory moment will have to be put on hold, as well as guest posts, until I get my computer back. But at least I can still write a review. Maybe I can get my challenge done this weekend after all. Tonight, one I got home from work, I put in The Kiss Of The Vampire (1963). This is the last of the Hammer movies to watch, at least for the challenge.

Gerald (Edward de Souza) and his wife Marianne (Jennifer Daniel) are traveling in their motor car when it runs out of gas. Gerald is able to find someone to at least get their car to the nearest hotel. Bruno (Peter Madden) is happy to see someone that will actually rent a room. Even though everyone tells them that no one ever comes to this area anymore, no one will explain why that is the case. As Gerald and Marianne settle in, a letter arrives for them. They can't figure this out until Bruno tells them that it is from Dr. Ravna (Noel Willman). Bruno gets them to accept the invitation to dinner with the doctor. Upon arriving, they meet Dr. Ravna, along with his son (Barry Warren) and daughter (Jacquie Wallis). What they don't know is that Ravna is the leader of a vampire cult.

I decided to go with The Kiss Of The Vampire as my last Hammer film because it wasn't part of any series. It might have vampires in it, but it was a stand alone film. It starts off in an interesting way, with this film's Van Helsing type character, Professor Zimmer (Clifford Evans), killing a vampire in a somewhat odd way. The pace slows a little from there, as we are introduced to the different characters. I was a little surprised at how some of the characters were doing whatever they were being told to do by the doctor. I understand their fear, but still surprised. I liked the grand party that we got to see, with everyone dressed up and with masks on. The Kiss Of The Vampire can also claim one of more original ways that vampires are killed at the end of the movie. It was really this ending that actually sold me on the movie. I didn't think it was a bad movie up to that point, but it did improve a lot by the last twenty or so minutes. This movie also has a way to make a cross that I had not seen in a movie before. I can't say that I have watched a lot of vampire movies, but I was still surprised that this was the first time I had noticed two new things for a vampire movie, and in one that is over forty years old at that.

Not a lot going on for effects in this movie. The opening death has the most blood in it. The fangs look very cool at least. There are also a lot of bats to be found, which are all very obviously on strings. The acting wasn't all that bad. This is one of the few Hammer movies that didn't have one of their big named actors in it. The two actors that impressed me the most were Edward de Souza and Peter Madden. They both gave great performances. Even though it was a much smaller role, I also liked Vera Cook as one of the vampires.

The Kiss Of The Vampire manages to break a vampire rule, vampires out during the day. It was hard to tell, but the weather was keeping the sun from being out in full force. It was a nice touch when Zimmer hinted that the weather was clearing up. The movie also explores, in a hinting way, that Marianne has a side to her personality, that is just waiting to be released by the vampires. While listening to the piano being played, she looks flushed and almost begs for the person not to stop playing. I can't say that I was real impressed with this movie. Even so, I think that The Kiss Of The Vampire is a movie that I would like more and more with repeated viewings. There are enough things that set this movie apart from other vampire films that makes it more interesting. If you haven't given this movie a try yet, and you like vampire movies, I think it is well worth a watch.
3 out of 5 I didn't see any vampires kissing