Review of Planet of the Vampires (1965) by Camden N — 09 Feb 2009
Like most of Bava's early work, it's nice to look at but very, very dull. Also, I noticed that Bava used the exact same scare sequence in this and Baron Blood. If you see both films you'll know the one, as they're not only the same scare but they're shot exactly the same way!
If you want great Bava, skip the 60's (except for Kill, Baby, Kill!) and watch his 70's stuff (especially Lisa and the Devil, Rabid Dogs, Twitch of the Death Nerve, and Shock).
And if you're expecting another Alien with this, you'll be severely disappointed. It is interesting to see how the filmmakers may have been inspired by this, though.
*Update*.
As with most Bava films, I didn't like it much at first but have grown to admire it. It's not the most action-packed film certainly, but it has a mood all its own, one of creeping dread and isolation which must have influenced the great horror filmmakers of the 70's and 80's more than a little (especially John Carpenter's The Thing, a film whose finale bears some striking similarities to this one). It's no Lisa and the Devil or Black Sabbath, but its power is undeniable. I'm definitely eager to see this one again.
This review of Planet of the Vampires (1965) was written by Camden N on 09 Feb 2009.
Planet of the Vampires has generally received mixed reviews.
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