I Vampiri

• Director: Riccardo Freda
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Horror
• Movie Type: Costume Horror
• Themes: Mad Scientists, Vampires
• Release Year: 1956
• Country: SN/IT/FR
• Run Time: 90 minutes

Plot

This Italian vampire tale stars Gianna Maria Canale as an ancient, sultry bloodsucker who, much like real-life kinswoman Countess Bathory, can only maintain her youthful appearance through the regular consumption of a serum derived from virgins' blood. When she begins to age again, she demands better results from the serum's inventor, who proceeds to capture more young maidens... but her plan is undone by the meddling of an intrepid reporter. Originally titled I Vampiri (The Vampires), this science-fiction-flavored variation on the Vampire Gothic kicked Italy's horror film machine into high gear, helped greatly by the cinematography of noted horror filmmaker Mario Bava -- who shared some directorial duties with Riccardo Freda and designed some of the special effects. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Review

While I Vampiri is more important for its place in history than for it ultimate effectiveness as a film, it is nevertheless an entertaining horror flick. Vampiri is generally credited as being the film that jump-started the "Eurohorror" movement of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as for being the film that introduced Mario Bava as a cinematographer and director with a special affinity for the genre. Being the progenitor, it's not unusual that Vampiri itself is not as distinguished or as totally satisfying as some of the films that followed in its wake, but its flaws are forgivable. Part of the problem is simply that it was a low budget feature shot on a very short schedule, and that lack of time and money shows occasionally. There's also the fact that the lead character is not especially engaging, nor is the actor (Dario Michaelis) who plays him. Finally, despite its title, there aren't actually any vampires in the film -- merely demented figures who drain blood in order to create an astonishingly effective youth potion. That said, the strengths of Vampiri compensate for its weaknesses to a large degree. Gianna Maria Canale is a delight, Paul Muller is a worthy murderer, and Antonio Balpetre is a fine mad scientist. The gothic atmosphere created by Bava and co-director Riccardo Freda, as well as their set designer, is so lurid it simply drips off the screen. The photography is startling and effective, and includes a marvelous transformation seen in which the effects are created solely through the use of changing lights. Vampiri's story loses itself in a few places, but it's so sprintingly paced that few will complain. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide

Cast

Antoine Balpêtré; Gianna Maria Canale; Charles Fawcett; Wandisa Guida; Dario Michaelis; Paul Muller; Renato Tontini; Carlo D'Angelo

Credit

Riccardo Freda - Director, Mario Bava - Cinematographer, Luigi Carpentieri - Producer, Ermanno Donati - Producer, Piero Regnoli - Screenwriter, Rik Sjostrom - Screenwriter

Similar Movies

Countess Dracula; The Brides of Dracula; Daughters of Darkness; Queen of the Damned; Daughter of Darkness; Suspiria; The Saga of Dracula; The Addiction

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