Planet of the Vampires (1965), by Mario Bava.

[Neville]

Ok, finally saw this one, thus ending (for the moment) my trend of watching vintage italian horror.

This one is better known for being one of "Alien" ancestors than for its own merits, which aren't many. It is a real B-movie, a sci-fi story adapted from a pulp magazine, and dialogue and characters are probably the shallowest I have ever witnessed. Not that that is bad. It has a naive feeling, like watching children play astronauts and inventing lines, situations and perils as they speak. The acting, however, is amazingly wooden, which ruins part of the effort.

Bava, however, is up to the ocasion, and tries real hard to keep things moving. Considering the above-mentioned problems, or the use of very few settings and effects, it is a real acomplishment that the film never feels boring or dull.

Even more, I should say that Bava makes an impressive effort with the looks of the alien planet where a big deal of the action takes place. With just some rocks, steam and coloured lights, he creates wonderfully eerie atmosphere that makes the movie gain impact whenever exteriors are used.

[Gerry]

I love this movie.  It is just loaded with atmosphere.  When the graves open is one of the all time great creepy scenes in a Sci-Fi movie IMO.

The scene with giant alien skeleton is terrific too.  ALIEN definitely owes a lot to this one IMO.

[Master Blaster]

I loved this movie as well. I picked it up mainly out of curiosity since Alien borrowed so heavily from it. Overall a very enjoyable Horror/Sci Fi flick.

[Scott]

I own a copy of this great sounding title PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES. This Sci-Fi  film looks good, but the living dead didn't feel like vampires, but seemed more like Zombies.



Post Edited (06-02-05 20:15)