Fiancee of Dracula

Starring:Cyrille Iste, Jacques Orth, Thomas Smith (III), Sandrine Thoquet, Magalie Madison, CÃ©line Mauge, Marie-Laurence, DaniÃ¨le Servais-Orth, Denis Tallaron, Sabine LenoÃ«l, CÃ©line ClÃ©mentel, Mira Petri, Marianna Palmieri, Bernard Musson, Nathalie Perrey, Catherine Castel, Dominique Treillou, FrÃ©dÃ©ric Legrand, Brigitte Lahaie, Thomas DesfossÃ©
Director: Jean Rollin
Studio: Shriek Show
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Why?
entertaining follow-up
The worst movie ever !!!! One cannot even rate this piece of nothing !!!
toothless
Yet Another Vampire Film with Lackluster Direction

Dracula 3 - Legacy
Starring: Jason Scott Lee , Jason London , Roy Scheider , Diane Neal , and Alexandra Wescourt
Director: Patrick Lussier
Manufacturer: Dimension
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Dracula II: Ascension
Dracula 2000
The Prophecy - Forsaken
The Prophecy - Uprising
Hellraiser - Hellworld

ASIN: B0007US7D0
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Description

More horror-filled terror in the modern DRACULA series presented by Wes Craven, DRACULA III: LEGACY adds Rutger Hauer (CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND, THE HITCHER) to a hot returning cast starring Jason Scott Lee (THE JUNGLE BOOK), Jason London (GRIND, OUT COLD) and Roy Scheider (JAWS). The feared Dracula (Hauer) leads vampire hunters Father Uffizi (Lee) and Luke (London) back to eastern Europe and a country plagued by civil war. There they discover powerful local warlords are assisting Dracula by capturing victims and delivering them to feed the vampires residing in Dracula's castle! And to make matters worse, Father Uffizi must face his own temptations as he struggles to overcome the vampire virus within himself! With sizzling stars, a riveting story and stunning special effects, this suspense-filled thriller will satisfy anyone with a taste for terrifying entertainment!

Customer Reviews:

Why?.......2007-02-03

I really am leery of sequels, and this is the third installment of the dracula 2000 series. First of all, Dracula (Rutger Hauer) wasn't all that strong a character and it doens't really explain why they have changed his face for the third time. The one performance that I thought I liked was Scott Jason Lee and the ending. Don't expect alot from this, its only entertainment..But, if you are anything like me, I have the three installments....Still like the first the best...and again with the ending, will there be a forth?

entertaining follow-up.......2006-12-13

More vampire mayhem from the folks who brought you Dracula 2000. Sequels often pale when compared to the first film, but 2 and 3 have their moments. I like them. Many of the ideas and characters are enjoyable. Could have been a little better. Could have been a lot worse. Pretty darn impressive for a direct to video sequel. Ultimatley it's a good time. Part 3 is a fine vampire movie worth watching - and owning.

The worst movie ever !!!! One cannot even rate this piece of nothing !!!.......2006-06-13

Please be so wise and stay away from this absolut c..p movie !!!!

I'm Romanian and totally repulsed by this misery they want to consider a movie !!!

Movie makers have lost that little respect they once had !!!

A complete misery !!! Do not waste your money on this piece of c..p !!!

toothless.......2006-04-09

This was with out a doubt, the worst cheese flick I've ever seen.
I bought this video for the actors, but even Jason London and Jason scott, couldn't save this film. These dracula films keep changing the rules for what it takes to kill a vampire.
Jason scott lee, never recieved the reconition he deserves for his acting abilities. Therefore, he has settle for what ever films he can get. The film makers gave the impression Romania, had become a bleak and dismal emptiness, utterly wretched and unhappy place, nothing more then a desolate place for vampires on the loose. This film went from my dvd player into the garbage can.

Yet Another Vampire Film with Lackluster Direction.......2006-03-08

First, let me give you warning: `Dracula III: Legacy' from Dimension Films picks up the thread of `Dracula II' at the time several years after the film had ended. Without knowledge about the "second" Dracula film, you find it hard to follow some part of the story of the third, in which we meet again the vampire hunter Father Vincent Uffizi (Jason Scott Lee) and his wise-cracking partner Luke (Jason London).

Not much is going to happen in `Dracula III: Legacy' except that Uffizi leaves the Church (and Cardinal played by cameo Roy Scheider), and that Luke searches his love Elizabeth (Diane Neal) whom Dracula abducted years ago. They fly to Romania, where there is a civil war going on (really?), and the two hunters meet a TV reporter Julia (Alexandra Westcourt) among the dead - no, undead bodies of the local people.

I could not understand how and why very well, but somehow they meet the rebels who might or might not be helping them, and Dracula's cohorts who are working for the evil Count to provide the blood, kidnapping the villagers.

Director is again Patrick Lussier, who uses the limited locations cleverly, but as shown in his previously released four pictures (all occult thrillers from Dimension Films), he does not seem to completely trust the good ideas in his film, and instead relied too much on fast editing and murky photography. In fact, all of his films including `Dracula III: Legacy' make me think that there is a good film somewhere deep inside of them, but before they are fully used, the film goes back to the familiar fight scenes in which the hunters wield sickle, and white-faced vampires attack with teeth.

Interestingly Rutger Hauer, who plays Dracula here, had played the vampire lord in 1992 film `Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and this fact tells you how some actors are easily typecast in the movie. Hauer with exaggerated mannerisms does his best, but his Count is nothing impressive. Strangely, it seems to me that he has not been allowed to show considerable charisma of his own for these ten years or more, that which easily matches Christopher Lee or Frank Langella. As to Jason Scott Lee as once-bitten vampire slayer, what can I say except this -- Please don't disappoint me again. In fact, the sidekick by Jason London is more convincing as a character.

But I should not blame the director and actors. According to IMDb, the film company decided to split the original story into two parts while shooting, and made two `Dracula' films - `II' and `III.' If this is true, they should not be faulted for the thin content and lackluster direction.

Average customer rating:

An oddball concoction: silent film, ballet & music video
A must for any true Dracula fan...
The Epitome Of "Dracula" As High Art
Sublime Journey Converging in Notions and the Subconscious
Maddin: way overrated

Dracula - Pages from a Virgin's Diary
Starring: Wei-Qiang Zhang , Tara Birtwhistle , Dave Moroni , CindyMarie Small , and Johnny A. Wright
Director: Guy Maddin
Manufacturer: Zeitgeist Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Guy Maddin Collection (Twilight of the Ice Nymphs / The Heart of the World / Archangel)
Cowards Bend the Knee
The Saddest Music in the World
Tales from the Gimli Hospital
Careful

ASIN: B0001US600
Release Date: 2004-05-18

Description

After garnering widespread acclaim with his mini-masterpiece THE HEART OF THE WORLD, red hot cult auteur Guy Maddin (THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD) has taken on the world's most adapted horror tale and concocted his most original and ravishingly stylized cinematic creation yet. Beautifully transposing the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's interpretation of Bram Stoker's classic vampire yarn from stage to screen, Maddin has forged a sumptuous, erotically charged feast of dance, drama and silent film techniques. The black-and-white, blood-red-punctured DRACULA: PAGES FROM A VIRGIN'S DIARY is a Gothic grand guignol of the notorious Count and his bodice-ripped victims, fringed with the expressionistic strains of Gustav Mahler.

Customer Reviews:

An oddball concoction: silent film, ballet & music video.......2006-06-10

Here's an oddball DVD for your collection -- a silent Dracuala movie, done artfully in black and white with an Asian Dracula, that is also a music video to the symphonies of Gustav Mahler, a ballet, and a music video. Got all that?

It's a bit hard to tell from watching and listening to this what they had in mind with this piece of art. Produced in Manitoba, of all places, for the Canadian Broadcasting System in 2002, the manifest content is a movie about an Asian Dracula and a group of virgins. This story is told through silent filmmaking in largely arty black & white photography; there are some splashes of color on occasion.

All the while, the visual imagery and occasional on-screen script is cast to the Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 of Gustav Mahler, his "Titan" and "Resurrection" symphonies. The credits says the music is courtesy of Naxos, the Canada-based low priced label, meaning they are the versions conducted by Michal Halasz and Antonio Wit, respectively.

The soft-grained attacks in both symphonies seem to match the soft focus of the art film. These are not among the best recordings of the music, which is secondary to the film but will be the reason some viewers maintain interest in such unusual fare.

Many of the virgins, as well as the Dracula character, perform ballet throughout the film, giving this movie more the character of an extended music video. The dancing is nice and everyone is very lovely to watch, but I wondered what was going on when they all started dancing every now and again, especially when it followed scenes of angry Van Helsing types in floppy hats driving stakes through the hearts of vampires.

The storytelling is punctuated with repetitive scenes that appear to be clipped from earlier frames and inserted again, and the music is equally discombobulated, as pieces of the scores of the two symphonies play through chronologically, then repeat, then come back again later. The whole thing was somewhat off putting to me, to be honest.

In the final analysis, this is more like a 75-minute music video-dream sequence than ballet, Dracula movie, silent movie or exposition of Mahler symphonies. It is an interesting art film with a dreamy coutenance but I doubt I would ever want to watch this thing repeatedly.

Nor could I stay interested in it for the music, which is pretty bland compared to the better Mahler recordings that are available. I think more electrifying performances of the music, perhaps better edited, would have done more to create prolonged viewer interest.

A must for any true Dracula fan..........2006-04-01

This is the kind of movie that has a limited audience. It's what you'd call "artsy", maybe even "pretentious". It's not exactly a break-out-the-popcorn-and-huddle-on-the-couch movie. I can see why people would think it's overrated.

But I love it. Anyone who loves Bram Stoker's novel--not just the movies--needs to watch this because it is the most faithful adaptation of the book. It's not a perfect adaptation, but it preserves the basic plot which every other Dracula movie has more or less butchered. Most of the text in the movie comes straight from the book.

It also recreates the etheral atmosphere of the old Universal movies but adds very modern cinematography and themes. The best part of this movie is that it is visually gorgeous but not excessive. You'll know that all the sets are made of cardboard, but you won't care. The film itself speeds up and slows down to create drama--one scene resembles the 360 degree bullet shot from The Matrix, except it is a tableaux made up of Dracula, Mina, and Van Helsing. It's simple but still beautiful, unlike the decadance of Francis Ford Coppola's version. And ballet is a perfect medium for expressing the repressed sexuality of the story. The sex is satirized to an extent, too. Mina doesn't understand why Jonathan won't do things with her that he did with Dracula's brides. Van Helsing is kind of a fetishist. Seward and Morris give each other carnal glances at one point. Lucy is a perfect "dumb blonde" and the dancer who plays her is an especially good actress. It also touches on the themes of xenophobia and immigration that previous versions of Dracula usually leave out. It even features Dracula's hairy palm, which has never been done before on film.

If you're more of a fan of the book than the movies, you really should see this. If you want a horror movie, well, this isn't it.

The Epitome Of "Dracula" As High Art.......2005-09-25

I came upon this beautiful and unforgettable retelling of the classic Dracula mythos recently.

This is a film that, though quite exceptional, will not be to the liking of all vampire movie fans. It is the brainchild of quirky filmmaker Guy Maddin. Basically, Maddin has taken the ballet(!) "Dracula," performed by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and translated it to film, amplified and adapted, of course, along lines of his very unique surrealistic aesthetic.

I am a fan of all of the fine arts, but I must acknowledge that ballet is my least favorite of them all. But in Maddin's idiosyncratic production, anything other than the evocative rhythmic movements of the characters would diminish the impact of the movie. In addition, Maddin filmed it in "aged" black-and-white (punctuated, at times, by a vibrant and eye-popping crimson) silent films format with occasional captions. Furthermore, he utilizes many of the almost ancient "special effects" that the silent filming masters employed: vignetting, tinting for emphasizing certain themes, lightning fast shots, at times almost like still photos, etc. His homage to German Expressionism, especially the works of Murnau, Lang, Dreyer, etc., is clearly reflected both in his sets and in the ways in which the characters move about within these. Also, his accompanying soundtrack is derived from Gustav Mahler's 1st and 2nd Symphonies, and, believe it or not, the whole thing works!

Those who are not well-acquainted with the core elements of the Bram Stoker fable may have some difficulty following the unfolding vistas and scenarios that Maddin juxtaposes, at times, seemingly irrespective of time or space. But for Dracula aficionados, this stylistic device should not pose any problems. Following in the finest traditions of Frank Langella's Dracula, Maddin's Dracula (Wei-Qiang Zhang)is extraordinarily erotic and overpowering. Indeed, all of the actors/dancers who protrayed the various characters in the movie skillfully executed their roles with precision and credibility, even though, as is the case with silent filmmaking, the actors are obliged to "over-act" in order to convey the essence of whomever each one is portraying. What is especially captivating about this production is the overshadowing surrealistic, dreamlike feel.

I cannot recommend this film too highly. It would be a 3-thumbs way up, in my opinion, and worth 9 stars.

Sublime Journey Converging in Notions and the Subconscious.......2005-05-30

Movement could be interpreted in the same manner that the symbols of the alphabet are, as a series of letters create a word while a number of words form a sentence. In dance the viewer can observe each separate movement though the combination of a successive number of movements that generate a bigger meaning. The dance ultimately leads the audience on a journey with feelings, adventure, and much more. Through the help of ballet the Canadian auteur Guy Maddin restores Bram Stoker's character Dracula in an artistic mirror image of F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror from 1922 or Werner Herzog's Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979).

Unlike the previous Murnau and Herzog vampire films Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary has purposely shifted its storyline from a typical chronological order to a tossed jumble. This cinematic mixture generates an unconscious imagery with a surrealistic touch where the audience senses the moments of suspense and alarm. There are also emotions such as deep desire and lust which also emerge through the vivid movements of the dancers that once again bring this tale of the dark prince coming to England. Some might assume that the unorganized pattern of the film would affect the experience in a negative way. However, Maddin skillfully induces this nightmare into a surrealistic concoction that allows for the combination of feelings to trickle down to the audience in an artistic manner.

The sexual element of vampires is kept intact in Maddin's film, as he also continues to develop this taboo ridden theme. The film opens with Lucy (Tara Birtwhistle) dreaming, which is illustrated through a number of bizarre shots that have been edited together that deal with the arrival of Dracula (Wei-Qiang Zhang). This nightmare brings out a contradictory desire that Lucy contemplates while scribbling in her journal, "Why can't they let a woman marry three men?" These three men are Arthur Holmwood (Stephane Leonard), Jack Seward (Matthew Johnson), and Quincy Morris (Keir Knight) who all have been suitors to Lucy. However, due to societal convention she must choose one of the men. Throughout the film the viewers will face several situations that deal with the lustful theme, as the vampire desires more from his victims while Van Helsing (Dave Moroni) tries to stop him.

The film creates the same ambience that silent black and white films did before the time of color and sound films. The music that accompanies the film is by Mahler, which induces additional suspense and anxiety. There are some sounds that have been added to the film that highlights characters and situations in such a manner to points out the importance of the situation. Besides the audio the images have also been manipulated through a wide range of color filters that brings about different moods to the film while picture softness on the edge increases the viewers focus on what is pertinent on the screen. Maddin also playfully uses colors, as he later did in The Saddest Music in the World (2003), by enhancing scenes with the color red where there is blood or strong emotion involved.

Dracula: Pages of a Virgin's Diary offers a sublime artistic journey where Maddin converges distinct notions with the vague subconscious. In the area where these two meet we find a surreal dream world with erotic undertones and threatening elements. The union of erotic and fright causes an unknown cerebral notion that enhances the angst in the story. Together with the movement of the dancers the angst is personified and the audience gets an opportunity to visually feel the internal conflict between all of the characters in the film, which in due course ends with a terrific cinematic experience.

Maddin: way overrated.......2005-04-16

I tried to watch this movie last night. I guess I didn't read the description too close because much to my dismay this is some kind of ballet treatment of Dracula. I cannot stand ballet! I think it's a terrible idea. As soon as lucy started dancing I was outa there! I am not impressed with Maddin's movies or shorts. He is high on visuals(that aren't that good) and low on any story/character development. I think he's incapable of making a good movie.
I recommend seeing Coppola's Dracula or the Hammer ones instead.

Vampire Triple Feature: Central Park Drifter/Fiancee of Dracula/Two Orphan Vampires

Average customer rating:

Vampire Triple Feature: Central Park Drifter/Fiancee of Dracula/Two Orphan Vampires
Starring: Vampire Pack
Manufacturer: Shriek Show
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( V ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi & Fantasy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Horror | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Demons Triple Feature: The Other Hell/Demons III: The Ogre/Black Demons
Jess Franco's Count Dracula (Special Edition)
Wicked Women (Flesh for the Beast / Werewolf Woman / Nightmares Come at Night)
The Vampire Collection (The Rape of the Vampire / The Shiver of the Vampires / Requiem for a Vampire)
El Vampiro (The Vampire) & El Ataud del Vampiro (The Vampire's Coffin) - 2 Disc Special Edition

ASIN: B000FKPE5Q
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Description

Fiancée Of Dracula While looking for the earthly remains of Count Dracula, a professor and his young assistant are plunged into a parallel universe of darkness and decay. There, they encounter supernatural creatures. Ultimately, the professor's quest leads to a confrontation with the beautiful Isabelle. Possessed by an unspeakable evil force, she has the power to decide his fate. Two Orphan Vampires The legendary Euro-horror director, Jean Rollin, returns to cinema with this spectacular vampire epic. With his signature sexy cinematography, gothic locales and artistic edge, the story of two innocent orphan vampires unfolds. They appear to be helpless blind orphans during the daylight hours, but at night they roam Europe in a spree of blood and death. Central Park Drifter Night brings out the hunger in everyone, especially a mysterious New York cab driver, who happens to be a vampire. Working the night shift brings a sultry array of passengers within his clutches. Embracing those ready to die, he controls a vampire underworld. Unexpectedly, on his nightly rounds he discovers erotic human passion, and unleashes a terrifying evil.

Average customer rating:

caught in rollin's spell
another beautiful dream
this dracula wasn't a hammer film....
ROLLIN RISES FROM THE VIDEO GRAVEYARD
Jean Rollin misses the mark

Fiancee of Dracula
Starring: Cyrille Iste , Jacques Orth , Thomas Smith (III) , Sandrine Thoquet , and Magalie Madison
Director: Jean Rollin
Manufacturer: Shriek Show
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Two Orphan Vampires
The Vampire Collection (The Rape of the Vampire / The Shiver of the Vampires / Requiem for a Vampire)
Night of the Hunted
Lips of Blood
The Living Dead Girl

ASIN: B000067J0G
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Customer Reviews:

caught in rollin's spell.......2004-12-03

i was caught up while viewing this film and greatly enjoyed being transported to another world. not many directors can do that so effectively. jean rollin has a unique style and it's always a pleasure to experience his special brand of cinematic spell casting.

another beautiful dream.......2004-09-18

I only recently discovered the work of Jean Rollin after picking up a collection of three of his films and falling in love with their beauty and ambiance. I began searching for more of his work and discovered Fiancee of Dracula. Much to my delight I found it to be not only as visionary as the other Rollin films I'd seen but it captivated me even more. A gem.

this dracula wasn't a hammer film...........2003-11-04

if you are a fan of jean rollin, you needn't be told that his vampires are definately more than interesting than any of the ones we're apt to see in a typical hammer film. needless to say, you should have some idea of what lies ahead in the world of rollin & need very little preparation. be warned that fiancee of dracula isn't like any dracula film you've seen before & probability suggests will ever see in your life or mine for that matter. for those of us who love the surreal & dreamlike atmosphere of his previous vampire works, we will also share a trance-like state of mind from opening scene til the very end even though it's obvious we may not grasp every single element of this french masterpiece. if what you've read so far holds no interest, chances are this film may not be the film for you. on the other hand, keep reading as i've more tidbits to share if you love rollin like i do or have a deep interest in great foreign/artsy horror films. first & foremost, shreik show has done a simply amazing job with bringing rollin's last film to dvd & even giving us a brief but enjoyable & insightful interview w/ the wonderful director himself. my hat goes off to shreik show for a splendid transfer & i hope that either image or shreik SHOW will eventually release some other rollin films which have never found their way to dvd such as the nude vampire or the crystal rose. having said that, there are many reasons to either love or hate dracula & there is so much to tell. so as not to spoil it all for those fo you who do plan on buying or viewing the disc, let me just give the highlights. as with any rollin film, you've got to have the interesting &/ or zany characters. contrary to most of his early work, the various characters in this film are just as outrageous & crazed as the vmpires which are being hunted by a professor & his hippie-like accomplice. we are introduced to a dwarf, a she-ogress who gobbles infants, & a bunch of crazy nuns who've nearly lost their minds all within the 1st hour. should this not be enough, we have a beautiful young woman who believes herself to be the fiance of dracula. wow! with layers of mystery surrounding the film like a second skin & such beautiful imagery, here we have a film which may be rollin's greatest work in years. great campy fun & just enough sensuality to make this film a poetic masterpiece which you will certainly want to view again & again. unfortunately, this film probably won't appeal to those who love the mainstream or those who don't like subtitles but the rest of us will be in a catatonic state of bliss. unpleasant dreams, my friends!!!

ROLLIN RISES FROM THE VIDEO GRAVEYARD.......2003-04-18

For over 30 years French director Jean Rollin has been the naughty boy of European horror (as opposed to his Spanish counterpart Jesus Franco who has been the nasty boy). Rollin's horror films have mixed nudity and sex with images of stylized nightmares to create an atmosphere of beautiful horror rather than bone-chilling terror. Perhaps this ideal of beauty and horror is one of the main reasons why Rollin has been assigned to cult status and has never flourished in the big time. His films are too artistic and attractive for horror fans and much too twisted for fans of haute cinema. Whatever the reasons for his cult status may be, his legion of fans has been loyal and omnipresent throughout the VHS and DVD age.

In FIANCEE OF DRACULA, Rollin has brought back his key female lead Brigitte Lahaie (see FASCINATION) and has even tipped his hat to his most loyal followers by using Cathy Pascal (one of his familiar "twins") in a bit role. The story here revolves around a professor and his dippy hippy assistant trying to find Dracula by following around an unusual band of parallel beings, including a circus dwarf, a red-headed female vampire, a female ogre, and a woman who drives everyone around her to a state of madness (and who also happens to claim to be Dracula's fiancee). If you watch the film in French with the English subtitles you will get a much better sense of the parallel world that Rollin has attempted to create. The music, the sounds, the language, etc. is so much more poetic and moving on the French soundtrack. The film almost works in French. With the English dub, however, you get a cheap and miserable low budget horror film with poorly chosen voices and an antiseptic background almost devoid of subtlety and atmosphere. Not a single one of the English dubbed voices works.

For loyal fans the cameo by Lahaie is worth the price of admission. For newcomers, it will be a hard row to plow to get through this in one sitting. Perhaps in response to those critics who declared his beautiful horror to be too beautiful, Rollin has gone a bit overboard in the depravity department this time. Dwarves sucking blood, ogresses eating babies, vivid putrefying flesh: not exactly the calling cards of Jean Rollin; but these are a sign that even a mature filmmaker such as Rollin can learn to change with the times and will attempt to deliver what he senses the audience may demand.

It's difficult to pan this film because it will rate highly with fans of European stylized horror. For those who are willing to live on a dare, buy it. Others may want to wade into Rollin and Franco territory with safer choices first, perhaps like FASCINATION or LUST FOR FRANKENSTEIN.

Jean Rollin misses the mark.......2003-01-11

Rollin is as confused as ever, only his earlier stuff is saved by stunning if quirky visuals.

If you know Rollin, then you'll know that this film is unlikely to make sense. If you like Rollin, you probably won't enjoy this.

An odd assortment of evil characters come together at a sea-side castle (Rollin's favourite haunt) to see a woman from a convent become mistress to Dracula. When I say odd assortment, we'll we've got a dwarf, a vampire, an ogre (she's not much different from the vampire), and a few servants of darkness.

Give this a miss

DVD:

DVD

Man's Favorite Sport (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: East Side Kids

Chori Chori