The Fearless Vampire Killers

1967

The Fearless Vampire Killers

Critics Consensus

This uneven but amiable 1967 vampire picture is part horror spoof, part central European epic, and 100 percent Roman Polanski, whose signature sensibility colors every frame.

67%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 30

76%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 12,009

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Movie Info

A pair of bumbling vampire-hunters attempts to destroy an undead nobleman and his cronies and rescue a buxom maiden in actor/director Roman Polanski's playful update of the venerable vampire genre. Bat expert and vampire obsessive Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran) barely survives his journey through the Alps into snowy Slovenia to continue his oft-maligned research into the undead. Thawed out by his hapless assistant, Alfred (Polanski), and the frisky local innkeeper, Shagal (Alfie Bass), Abronsius quickly notices the overabundance of raw garlic as a decorating motif in the inn and its environs. Too ineffectual to save Shagal from having his blood sucked, the professor and Alfred miss the boat again when the mysterious Count Von Krolock (Ferdinand Mayne) kidnaps Shagal's built, beautiful daughter, Sarah (Sharon Tate). The itinerant vampire hunters must travel through the icy wilderness to Von Krolock's abode and evade his manservant and his effete son Herbert (Iain Quarrier) before Sarah joins the ranks of the ghouls. They soon learn, however, that the luxury-starved lass actually enjoys her captors' lavish attentions. The action climaxes during a costume ball attended by a phalanx of blood-suckers, although the laughs and surprises continue until the very end. Sixteen minutes of unauthorized cuts have been restored in some video editions of The Fearless Vampire Hunters, although the animated credits sequence that replaced them is also retained. The film marks the feature debut of Tate, who replaced Polanski's original choice, Jill St. John, on the advice of producer Martin Ransohoff. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

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Cast

Jack McGowran
Jack MacGowran
as Prof. Abronsius
Sharon Tate
as Sarah Shagal
Alfie Bass
as Shagal
Jessie Robbins
as Rebecca
Jessie Robins
as Mrs. Shagal
Ferdinand "Ferdy" Mayne
as Count Von Krolock
Iain Quarrier
as Herbert Von Krolock
Terry Downes
as Koukol
Fiona Lewis
as Maid
Ronald Lacey
as Idiot
Sydney Bromley
as Driver
Andreas Malandrinos
as Woodcutter
Otto Diamant
as Woodcutter
Otto Di Amant
as Woodcutter
Andrea Malandrinos
as Woodcutter
Matthew Walters
as Woodcutter
Roman Polanski
as Alfred
Jack Mac Gowran
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Critic Reviews for The Fearless Vampire Killers

All Critics (30) | Top Critics (5)

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Audience Reviews for The Fearless Vampire Killers

  • Mar 28, 2012
    First off Polanski is my favorite director yes three movies in my top 10 but this would not even come close to one of his great works. . I heard some critics say it's the perfect mix of comedy and horror, but really it's not either one if you want a vampire movie that has that perfect mix watch the original fright night. Now it wasn't completely dull yes I did laugh a lot at the beginning, but then It just went down. mainly because since you didn't care about the characters at all it was very hard to get into the story. This is definitely my least favorite Polanski film
    Daniel D Super Reviewer
  • Aug 30, 2011
    Here's Polanski's take on classic vampire films with grains of gags and snow. The problem with this movie is very simple: it's uneven in trying to be a comedy and a Hammer homage; the comedy doesn't work; the homage to classic vampire movies only works, essentially, because of the scenery. I don't know what Polanski's intentions were but something was lost during filming because the end result is an unsatisfying, dull, and superfluous ninety minutes.
    Jonny B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 05, 2010
    Polanski's vampire comedy is hilarious and cute. Polanski plays the sidekick in the movie, and he's a really good actor too. I really liked this movie, he has such a cool style and the story and characters are so funny. If you love vampire movies I highly recommend this one.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Jan 01, 2010
    I really don't understand why Roman Polanski ever decided to make a vampire movie in this fashion. You'd think that with all of his mastery in suspense, he would produce a truly terrifying film. However, the result is little more than cheap physical comedy and corny dialogue. I would say that I blame that more on the writing, but it's not excusable from such an amazing director. Truly my least favorite Polanski film.
    Conner R Super Reviewer
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