The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires

The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires

1974

Directors- Roy Ward Baker and Chang Cheh

Cast- Peter Cushing, David Chiang, Julie Ege, Chan Shen, Robin Stewart, John Forbes-Robertson, Szu Shih, David de Keyser, Lau Kar-wing, Huang Pei-Chih, Wang Chiang

           

     In a remote Chinese village, seven vampires rule the countryside like warlords. Unlike western vampires that hide in their remote castles and crypts, these vampires ride out on horseback and terrorize the locals. They have at their disposal a magical gong that awakens the undead, summoning them an army. A local farmer has finally had all he can stand and crashes their compound, trying to save his daughter from their clutches. He fails and dies but not before he takes one of the vampires with him. This helps the local villagers develop a little backbone and they no longer live in fear of the vampire warlords.

            

     The priest that serves the vampires (Chan Shen) takes a journey to Transylvania to enlist the help of Count Dracula in restoring the vampires to their former glory. Dracula sees this as a chance to expand his power and agrees to go, but not before killing the priest and taking on his form.

            

     Van Helsing (Peter Cushing, in his final portrayal of the character), having apparently defeated the undead threat in Europe, is touring Asia and lecturing at a Chinese university. When he brings up the subject of vampirism, he is scoffed at by all the learned academics. There is one man though, that knows too well that what Van Helsing says is true.

           

     Hsi Ching (David Chang) tells Van Helsing that his ancestral village is the home of the Golden Vampires and enlists Van Helsing’s aid in destroying them. Joining them is a squad of elite martial arts specials, Van Helsing’s son and a rich European lady (Julie Ege) who is seeking adventure.

           

     Julie Ege had worked with Hammer before in Creatures the World Forgot. She had a decent part in this film but it was too short given her screen presence. Even though she was a statuesque blonde, she lends the film some exotic appeal with her Norwegian accent. After the absence of a Hammer starlet in the previous film, it was good to see that they finished the series with one.

As for John Forbes-Robertson as Dracula, well who can compare to Christopher Lee?  The part was so small I don’t know why they would risk fan ire by replacing Lee. They could have just left the Count out and it wouldn’t have changed the story. They didn’t even use his real voice. Dracula’s dialogue was provided by veteran vocal talent, David de Keyser. You may not know the name but you know his work. His voice was used in Vampire Circus, Zardoz, and he was the voice of the Holy Grail in John Boorman’s Excalibur.

            

     As for Cushing, his parts in Dracula 1972 A.D. and especially Satanic Rites ofDracula, were so-so. This performance was a return to what we had seen in Horror of Dracula and Brides of Dracula.

            

     This film, the last in the Hammer Dracula franchise, is a combined effort of the two greatest institutions in 70’s genre entertainment; Hammer Films and Shaw Brothers Studios. Hammer, though dead by the end of the decade was turning out some of its best, and most experimental work in the first half of the decade with films like Twins of Evil, Vampire Circus and To the Devil a Daughter. The Shaw Brothers, meanwhile were giving us martial arts movies that are still considered must watch viewing for fans of the genre today.

            

     

   

   What impresses me is how well the two companies, and styles, merged. Parts of the movie feel very much like the Hammer films of old (the colorful cinematography, the music), something that was missing from the film’s predecessor, Satanic Rites of Dracula. Other parts seems very much like a Shaw Brother’s film (the exaggerated fight choreography, the shiny silver blades, the blood that is so bright it’s almost pink).

            

     The directorial duties were split between Roy Ward Baker and Chang Cheh, both masters of their respective genres. Baker directed the sci-fi horror Quatermassand the Pit, Vampire Lovers (the blue print for the lesbian vampire genre), and Scars of Dracula. Chang Cheh directed over 90 films including Kid with the Golden Arm, Ten Tigers from Kwangtung, not to mention Five Deadly Venoms, the film that may be the second best martial arts movie of all time (hard to beat Enter the Dragon).

           

     The Dracula series had a shaky timeline with some of the films tying into each other and others not. This one may or may not tie into the others. I guess it really doesn’t matter as continuity isn’t the selling point of this film; it’s the highly entertaining combination of western and eastern fantasy flavors, paving the way for films like Big Trouble in Little China. Now, 7 Golden Vampires is no Big Trouble, but if you want entertainment, then take a look at one of the last films in the Hammer line.

    

 

Skinwalkers

Skinwalkers

2007

Director- James Isaac

Cast- Rhona Mitra, Jason Behr, Elias Koteas, Natassia Malthe, Kim Coates, Sarah Carter, Tom Jackson, Matthew Knight

            

     This werewolf movie takes its name from the Native American term for lycanthropes.  In this film, lycanthropy is not cause by being bitten by a werewolf but rather is something passed down by blood. As long as the afflicted never feeds on human flesh they are able to control themselves, except during the full moon when they must be locked down. However, if an afflicted person ever does feed, they are changed forever.  The beast inside of them takes over and they develop a lust for violence.

           

     An ancient prophecy tells of a half breed boy who, on his 13^th birthday, on a blood moon, will be able to “cure” the curse. The skinwalkers are divided into two camps; those that want to be free of their curse and those that revel in it.

            

     Rhona Mitra plays the mother of Timothy, the young boy in question. She is a mortal and the nature of her son (and his missing father) has been hidden from her by the in-laws. Now, on the cusp of his 13^th birthday, a pack of evil ,leather clad, gun toting, biker, werewolves have finally tracked the boy down. He is protected by his uncle (played by Elias Koteas) and the town locals. It turns out that the entire town is filled with pistol packing werewolves and a shootout ensues. The truth about the boy is revealed to his mother and the survivors must go on the run from the evil werewolves, hoping to hold out and protect the boy until the prophecy is fulfilled.

            

     

     The movie is not perfect and has some flaws, but there is a lot to recommend it, especially for werewolf fans. The creature effects were by Stan Winston so you know they’re good. The werewolves were done with good old fashioned make-up and appliances (though there are some places where it looks like the eyes were CGI). The director James Issac knew a lot about working on special effects movies, having worked on the effects for films like Enemy Mine, Gremlins, Deepstar Six, The Fly and Return of the Jedi. He also directed the futuristic Friday the 13^th, Jason X. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much chance to hone his craft as a director. He died from cancer in 2012.

            

     There is also a good cast full of recognizable genre favorites. Rhona Mitra starred in Beowulf, Doomsday and fought werewolves again the third Underworld movie. Elias Koteas was in the Sataninc detective story, Fallen and played Casey Jones in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies. Jason Behr, who leads the evil werewolves, starred in The Grudge and the TV show Roswell. Kim Coates, who plays one of the evil werewolves, has been in about million things but horror fans may recognize him from the brilliant horror-comedy Innocent Blood. Of special note is Natassia Malthe as the female member of the evil pack. In human form she’s bad ass sexy and her werewolf form has a very striking make-up. Genre fans make recognize her from any number of lower budget movies including the 2^nd and 3^rd installments of the Bloodrayne franchise.

            

     The script has some holes and the finale has a few silly looking Matrix jumps, but the movie delivers entertainment and does so quickly. I can really only fault the film in one area. For taking the name Skinwalkers, there aren’t many Native American looking cast members. Was Wes Studi booked or something? If you want a well thought out, subtle story, best move on to something else. If on the other hand, you want something different, or you used to play Werewolf: The Apocalypse, you’ll probably enjoy this film.

Fun fact- Though this is a werewolf movie, three of the actors have played vampires in other films; Rhona Mitra, Natassia Malthe, and Kim Coates.

 

Countess Dracula

Countess Dracula

1971

Director-Peter Sasdy

Cast- Ingrid Pitt, Nigel Green, Lesley-Anne Down, Sandor Elès, Maurice Denham, Patience Collier, Andria Lawrence, Susan Brodrick, Nike Arrighi, Leon Lissek

           

     This is a retelling (and maybe the best cinematic adaptation) of the Elizabeth Bathroy legend. If you’re not familiar, Countess Elizabeth Báthory was a 16^th century Hungarian noblewoman. She was accused of the murder of hundreds of young girls. Along with murder, she was accused of torture and cannibalism. The most tantalizing of all of the claims was that she bathed in the blood of young girls to maintain her youth. That claim has become the most memorable part of her legacy and provides the basis for this film.

            

     Ingrid Pitt plays an aging, recently widowed Countess. She has carried on a lifelong affair with her husband’s captain of arms, Dobi (played by the virile Nigel Green who played Hercules in Jason and the Argonauts). Lieutenant Imre, the son her father’s old friend, has arrived to pay his respects and the Countess becomes infatuated with him. Her daughter, Illona (played by a very young Lesley-Anne Down) is also making her way home after being sent off as a child.

            

     The Countess is a cruel and petty woman and is abusive toward her servants. By accident, after beating a servant girl and getting some of the blood on her, she discovers that it has rejuvenating properties. She follows this logic to its conclusion and murders the girl to get more of the blood. This has the effect of totally transforming her, making her young again. She then hatches a diabolical scheme.  She sends highwaymen out to waylay and kidnap her daughter before she arrives at the castle. Elizabeth then goes about masquerading as the recently arrived Illona, and since no one has seen Illona since she was a child, they are none the wiser.

          

       “Illona” tells everyone that her mother is sick and staying in her room. Captain Dobi, who has been loyal to the Countess for years, is looking forward to being with her now that her husband is dead. Much to his chagrin, he finds himself cuckolded. The now youthful Countess (in the guise of Illona) starts to carry on an affair with the much younger Imre.

            

     

    However, unexpectedly she reverts back to her older self, except much older and hideous.  She then has to murder a new girl. What proceeds is a cycle of addiction where she must maintain a fresh supply of blood in order to stay young, fearing that she will turn even more hideous when it wears off.

            

     This is one of Hammer’s best looking productions. It has a bit of a salacious reputation thanks to one famous image of Ingrid Pitt standing naked splattered with blood. I think its reputation has more to do with its connection to another Ingrid Pitt film, The Vampire Lovers. That film, also made by Hammer the year before, has also sorts of graphic nudity. Countess Dracula, while featuring nudity, doesn’t have any more than what was common for films of that era.

            

     A lot of work was spent on the look of the film. The costumes are very good, especially Captain Dobi’s uniform. Most of these “historical” Hammer films took place in fictional settings during an ambiguous time. It does seem like effort was made to make this film look more authentic.

            

     Beyond the look of the film there are also good performances. Nigel Green, as the ignored Captain Dobi, is very believable and the closest thing that we have to a sympathetic character in the film.  He goes about helping the Countess with her crimes. He is perfectly content to have her as an old woman and keeps hoping she will come to her senses, all the while his jealousy builds as she cavorts with his younger rival.

            

     Of course, the centerpiece here is Ingrid Pitt. This film was made during the height of her career. A few years earlier, in 1968, she starred in a supporting role in the excellent Where Eagles Dare and had another supporting role in the also excellent The Wicker Man in 1973. But Vampire Lovers and Countess Dracula put Ingrid center stage. Of the two, Vampire Lovers showcased her tremendous beauty while Countess Dracula allowed her to show off her acting.

            

     The early 70’s was a great period for Hammer films. The company’s tried and true formulas had started to lose their potency and Hammer became more experimental. Countess Dracula is a product of that.  Watch it to see one of the horror genre’s most memorable starlets at her best.

Fun fact- Be on the lookout for Nike Arrighi. She was Tannith in the occult thriller, The Devil Rides Out. She has a smaller role here as one of the Countesses victim’s. She plays a dusky, scantily clad gypsy.

 

Dagon

Dagon

2001

Director- Stuart Gordon

Cast-   Ezra Godden, Macarena Gómez, Raquel Meroño, Francisco Rabal, Birgit Bofarull, Brendan Price, Ferran Lahoz

From Spain

            

      Paul (Ezra Godden) is a tightly wound nerd on vacation with his girlfriend Barbara (Raquel Meroño) and their friends Howard and Vicki. They are out sailing and get caught in a storm. The ship hits a rock and Vicki gets pinned. Paul and Barbara go ashore looking for help. What they find is an insane town of murderous freaks.

            

     The seaside town of Imboca was once a fishing village. Generations ago, a mysterious sea captain appeared one day and promised the people riches in exchange for the worship of a strange god, Dagon. The fisherman summoned Dagon and soon gold, in the form of alien idols, began to wash ashore. The townsfolk became rich, murdered the local Catholic priest and converted the church to the worship of Dagon.

            

      But their faith came at a price. With each generation the townspeople mutated and degenerated, become fishlike; webbed fingers, bulging eyes, gills. Now they stay hidden, coming out only to waylay travelers. They skin their victims and wear the faces so that they can still pretend to be human.

            

     

    Paul has had dreams and visions of an exotic, beautiful girl (Macarena Gómez who also starred in the horror-comedy Witching and Bitching). He meets the girl in this town. She is indeed beautiful, but also touched by the town’s curse.  She is a member of the town’s aristocratic family but also the High Priestess of their church. Just as Paul has dreamed of her, she has dreamed of him, and wants him as her lover.

            

     Paul tries to save his friends and avoid this seemingly preordained fate, but there is little that he can do. It has all been written in the stars.

            

     Stuart Gordon always had a fascination with HP Lovecraft. His most famous work, and the one that people will still be watching a hundred years from now is Re-Animator. He also directed its spiritual sequel, the Lovecraft inspired From Beyond. Both are fun, and Re-Animator is a landmark film, but Dagon, I think, is his crowning achievement in terms of artistry.

           

     H.P. Lovecraft is very hard to adapt to film, but Dagon does a better job than any other movie I’ve seen (Color out of Space comes close but still not as good as Dagon).  Despite the title, the movie is not based on the Lovecraft story of the same name. Rather, it is an adaptation of the story The Shadow over Innsmouth ( Imboca, the name of town in the movie is a bit of a pun, “boca” being Spanish for “mouth”). It’s a reasonably faithful adaptation, capturing the important parts of the story. But more than accuracy, it captures the feel of Lovecraft; the doubting of one’s sanity, the paranoid conspiracy, the ancient, alien gods.

            

    

    The acting is solid. Ezra Godden turns in a convincing performance as the story’s protagonist. I think it’s especially good when you realize how early in his career it was. Francisco Rabal almost steals the show as Ezekiel, the one normal human left in the town. Francisco had an acting career that spanned 60 years and his talent was obvious here.

            

     The make-up and effects were very good as well (there was only one instance of that terrible looking turn of the century CGI). The make-up is subtle at the beginning of the film, with the townsfolk only looking a little fishy. But as the story progresses and their secret becomes known, we see progressively more horrible forms.

           

     Dagon is a fast paced, intense movie that progresses quickly and doesn’t leave many opportunities to come up for air. The production values are far above what one would expect for this type of movie. Watch Dagon if you are a Lovecraft fan and want to see a pretty faithful (and entertaining) adaptation.