The genius but obviously fake credit in this review's subject line appears, like it's the most normal thing in the world, among the names of authentic cast and crew members during the opening sequences of the film. It's this sort of subtle yet brilliant little gimmicks that make "The Fearless Vampire Killers" thoroughly enjoyable, because - personally - I don't think it works very effectively as neither a spoof, nor a horror movie.
In between the fantastic and dead-serious thriller/psychological horror milestones Repulsion (1965) and Rosemary's Baby (1968), Roman Polanski found time and energy to co-write and direct this light-hearted homage to contemporary British gothic horror movies; - more specifically Hammer Studios' "Dracula"-cycle. Polanksi also stars in the film, as the clumsy assistant of the acclaimed university professor and notorious vampire researcher Abronsius. Traveling through Transylvania, they stay at an inn where vampires regularly come to seek for fresh blood, or at least judging by the number of garlic on the walls. Assistant Alfred falls for the beautiful innkeeper's daughter Anna (Sharon Tate), but she gets brutally abducted by the local vampire Count von Krolock. Abronsius and Alfred must rescue her before she's turned into a vampire herself during the ball at von Krolock's sinister castle.
As said, I don't think "The Fearless Vampire Killers" is very good in the plotting department, and the attempt to blend genres only causes for the film to be messy, but nevertheless there are several reasons to justify the cult-classic status. The downright magnificent set-pieces and mesmerizing Italian filming locations, for instance, and even more so the cinematography and musical score. The latter, courtesy of Polanski's compatriot Krzystof Komeda, is an even spookier score than the ones featuring in any other contemporary horror movie. Sharon Tate is unearthly beautiful and sexy, and will forever remain like that due to her untimely and tragical death. Last but certainly not least, the vampire ball sequences deserve all the praise they can possibly receive, as it's one of the most astounding things I ever beheld.
In between the fantastic and dead-serious thriller/psychological horror milestones Repulsion (1965) and Rosemary's Baby (1968), Roman Polanski found time and energy to co-write and direct this light-hearted homage to contemporary British gothic horror movies; - more specifically Hammer Studios' "Dracula"-cycle. Polanksi also stars in the film, as the clumsy assistant of the acclaimed university professor and notorious vampire researcher Abronsius. Traveling through Transylvania, they stay at an inn where vampires regularly come to seek for fresh blood, or at least judging by the number of garlic on the walls. Assistant Alfred falls for the beautiful innkeeper's daughter Anna (Sharon Tate), but she gets brutally abducted by the local vampire Count von Krolock. Abronsius and Alfred must rescue her before she's turned into a vampire herself during the ball at von Krolock's sinister castle.
As said, I don't think "The Fearless Vampire Killers" is very good in the plotting department, and the attempt to blend genres only causes for the film to be messy, but nevertheless there are several reasons to justify the cult-classic status. The downright magnificent set-pieces and mesmerizing Italian filming locations, for instance, and even more so the cinematography and musical score. The latter, courtesy of Polanski's compatriot Krzystof Komeda, is an even spookier score than the ones featuring in any other contemporary horror movie. Sharon Tate is unearthly beautiful and sexy, and will forever remain like that due to her untimely and tragical death. Last but certainly not least, the vampire ball sequences deserve all the praise they can possibly receive, as it's one of the most astounding things I ever beheld.