The Vampire

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Audience Member I read that this Mexican film can be seen as a segue between the Universal and Hammer versions of the Dracula tale, so I had to check it out. I have to agree. Some of mannerisms of Count "Karol de Lavud" seem to have been used directly by Lee in Horror of Dracula. But it was unique in many ways. I was really surprised about the actual quality of the film because of where its from (El Signo de la Muerte being my only familiarity with Mexican-horror) and its age. If you enjoy early horror, its definitely worth checking out. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Marta returns to her ancestral home of Los Sicomoros to visit her sickly aunt, but upon arrival, she learns that has aunt has passed away. Her remaining family members welcome her to stay, though an eerie curse has fallen upon the village which has driven many of the villagers away. It seems that a bloodthirsty vampire may be in their midst, and the only woman who knew the truth has been cast into an early grave! EL VAMPIRO (or THE VAMPIRE) is a masterpiece of Mexican Horror cinema, with all of the grand Gothic allure of the classic Universal and Hammer pictures. Fernando Méndez applies a painterly finish to the film, from the mist-filled pathways that line Los Sicomoros to the vampire's venomous strike. The inspired special effects include a number of ambitious transformation sequences and lapse dissolves, which allow the otherworldly creatures to take flight in animal form. The mirror trick from Tod Browning's DRACULA is also used for a much greater effect. Ariadna Welter is as beautiful as she is talented playing the part of Marta. She never gives in to despair despite the frightening circumstances that surround her. Abel Salazar joins her as the skeptical Doctor Enrique, who has been called upon by Marta's uncle to investigate his sister's supernatural claims. His charm and charisma set him apart from the rather stern and boorish Doctor Van Helsing. Germán Robles delivers one of his greatest performance as the mysterious Count Karol de Lavud. His dark, handsome features are as ensnaring as they are deadly. Méndez owes much to the original DRACULA, but he has made this his own through a spectacular display of character, mood, and atmosphere that would rival the Italian masters. THE VAMPIRE is essential viewing for the Gothic Horror fan. -Carl Manes I Like Horror Movies Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating realization. The experimental branch was propagating throughout the US and Europe. 99/100 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member I could get used to this Abel Salazar guy. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Standard fare these days but in its time would have been an early example of the sexualised vampire. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member One of my favorite short films by one of my favorite filmmakers. This is probably Painleve's most famous and influential work because it best showcases the way he intertwines fact and fiction, science and lore. Here, he takes literal sequences from Murnau's famous 1922 chiller and sutures them into real footage he collects of the infamous vampire bat of South America. The result is a signature product that both entertains and educates. In fact, Painleve's music selection and eye for editing make the subject even more mysterious even as he is de-mythifying it. In a flawless and totally original film career, this piece of art stands among his most mystifying and wholly enjoyable. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Vampire

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