ONE OF THE BEST VAMPIRE FILMS IN EXISTENCE
590035
I discovered this film when I was eleven years old and since then have been continuously captivated by the spell-binding performance of Tom Cruise. He exonerates the evil and sadistic nature of Lestat very well, as well as the young Kirsten Dunst, who plays a fabulous Claudia. I recommend this film to all vampire lovers and horror freaks. It'll definitely rock your world!
1881695
This clever riff on F.W. Murnau's 1922 Nosferatu operates on the premise that the German actor Max Schreck, who so hauntingly embodied the vampire lead, was in fact an actual vampire. John Malkovich, always ready to explode, is the obsessed director Murnau and Willem Dafoe totally disappears into Schreck as real vampire, who has agreed to play "himself" so he can drink the blood of the lead actress -- who has unknowingly been sacrificed by a crazed Murnau who will do anything to make his movie!

For those who have seen Image Entertainment's DVD of Murnau's original Nosferatu, this disc is a special treat.  Not only are scenes and stills from Murnau's film utilized, but the perfect incarnation of Schreck via Dafoe dances across time and shimmers again before us.

Shocking and funny.  Almost a great movie.

Bonus material includes interviews with producer Nicolas Cage and Dafoe.  There's a scholarly, richly-layered commentary by director Elias Merhige.
3810738
what a marvelous film for everyone.on a childs level it shows a film with 2 young boys creating a wonderful friendship.but for those of you who need a good reason to justify watching it without tot next to you here goes.we as a people tend to go after and destroy that with whom we do not understand hence the vampire hunter and the scottish earl.but once again it takes a child to show us what to do.the only beef i have is that i would have liked to have seen was another 15 minutes at the end when the vampires are now human and tony runs to them but we only can imagine after that they seem to get along but only tonys family knows the truth
4309785
An unidentified plague has wiped out civilization - its victims are transformed into vicious, carnivorous animals who feast on the living.  No, not zombies - vampires, killed with a stake through the heart.  One man, a vampire hunter/killer known only as Mister, traverses the wrecked countryside with an apprentice, a teen boy the hunter took under his wing after the boy's family was slaughtered by the creatures.  Together, they and a few other stragglers try to reach Canada - 'New Eden' - while avoiding vampires and cultists who see the plague as the work of God.

This film has one specific flaw - otherwise this is actually an excellent, albeit gory, apocalyptic genre film.  Depending on how one feels about this flaw will probably determine - if one is already predisposed to like these kinds of films - how well they enjoy 'Stakeland'.  The problem is that it just takes itself too darn serious.

Martin, the boy apprentice, narrates portions of the story, and, similar to a Terrence Malick film, this narration doesn't always match up with the onscreen action.  The boy's voice, plus musical and visual cues, elicit a great deal of melacholy, and create a heightened sense of drama.  This has a much better chance of working in a film such as&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Days-of-Heaven/dp/079215455X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Days of Heaven</a>&nbsp;because it takes place in a world that is at least recognizable, if not familiar.  In 'Stake Land', this effort at emotional heft seems ridiculously overwrought.  I'm unable to fully let go and immerse myself in the story's fantastic elements, because the film keeps trolling for my sympathy, and by that very act disrupts my suspension of disbelief.

There's a very good chance that others will not feel this way about the film.  For those who can ignore this emotional ploy, or who don't notice it, or who can buy into it, I think the rest of the film works pretty well.  There were several unsurprising moments, but then there were also some that I didn't see coming - and, given the premise, much of the character's motivations and actions seem consitent.  Nick Damici, as the hunter Mister, is a bit too cool for school, but doubtless that will be more attractive rather than detrimental to a large portion of the audience for this film.

Overall, one significant flaw, which for me, seriously impinges on the film's rating.  Still worth a definite look by horror fans, especially those intrigued by the post-apocalypse genre.

A defect on the rental disc prevented me from watching the bonus materials included on the blu-ray.  Two commentaries are included; one with the director and principle actors; the other with the director and some of the technical crew.  Other features were making of documentaries and trailers.
1497126
Its been awhile since I have seen this movie. Its one of my favorite vampire movies. The quality and the special features are great. I am so happy that I happy to have the Blu Ray. I am hoping to get the sequel.
626709
Oh man this movie is great. It's probably the best vampire movie I've ever seen. I hope they do a sequel. I really enjoyed this. I am a big fan. I am so happy I purchased this for Blu-Ray!
1615479
so, in honor of christopher lee, i watched dracula has risen from the grave. i've always been esepecially drawn to this movie, i think partly because much of it has to do with faith, or lack thereof. additionally, freddie francis directs beautifully, as we'd expect, and just gives us a gorgeous film. christopher lee is all menace and sexuality, and it's easy to see why he managed to put his signature on this iconic character.

like any good hammer movie, the blood flows in bright red technicolor, the sets are lush and colorful, and the bosoms are heaving. but what's really kind of interesting about this movie are the three male leads, who represent different aspects of religious and non-religious belief. the priest is a coward, an alcoholic, and uncertain of god's ability to protect his flock from christopher lee's wolf. the monsignor, however, is absolutely devout and unflinching in his knowledge that god will deliver them from evil. then there's paul, likably played by barry andrews, who is an athiest and avowed scholar. these three must somehow come together to defeat dracula, made all the more difficult as the weak priest quickly falls under the thrall of the vampire, and paul is getting hot and heavy with with the monsignor's niece. she is played by veronica carlson, and is all that is virginal and pure, making her all the riper for despoiling at christopher lee's hands...and teeth. lee is smoldering darkness here, almost guttural, and his impetus in this particular movie is revenge, revenge for having his home violated by the placement of a crucifix on the doors to his castle. the first scene when he puts the bite on the monsignor's niece, in particular, is played with almost total eroticism, and it further drives home the allure of dracula, and by extension, soulless evil: it's hot.

francis shoots a beautiful movie that is a mix of location shots, rooftops, craggy mountain ranges, and nifty sets. dracula's reemergence is especially gripping, as the sad-sack priest cracks his head and bleeds through he ice that holds the count; we can see through the cracked shards of ice lee's blood soaked lips curling into a smile as he awakens from his frigid prison.

dracula has risen from the grave is filled with typical vampire tropes of that era and it also contains interesting meditations of religion, sexuality, and the struggle between good and evil. i think it makes its' point most strongly when the monsignor, on his death bed, calls for paul to protect his niece maria because the monsignor recognizes that, despite his unapologetic atheism, paul will protect her because "he truly loves her." good stuff.
4017024
Kino entertainment releases the frequently issued DVD of the German silent vampire classic,Nosferatu(1922) in a beautiful two disc special edition,worthy of the film's classic status.
The print has been cleaned up to almost pristine quality,better than there previous release of 2002,and the original score for the film is available fnally.
The score adds immeasurably to the film,creating the atmosphere and emotion and epic scale that few of the earlier releases could come close to.
The second disc features lots of extras including a filmography of the film's director,F.W Murnau, an excellent documentary on him and stills from the film.
If your a fan of cinema,and especially,a student of the horror genre,than you should already own this masterpiece.
Time for an upgrade?
YEAH.
Get this DVD....now.
Note:Keep the main menu on and watch Nosferatu's face.
It's kind of creepy.
3856152
Given all the fuss about them in the last few years, you would think that vampires movies and TV had only just been invented. But they've always been fascinating to moviemakers -- and "Nosferatu" was the original vampire movie, even predating Bela Lugosi's "Dracula." It's haunting, creepy and sometimes bizarre.

It's a very loose adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic story, "Dracula" -- a young real estate agent named Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) is sent to the Carpathians to sell a mansion to a reclusive nobleman named Count Orlock (the sublimely creepy Max Schreck). Locals refuse to go near the castle, strange creatures roam nearby, and Orlock makes weird comments about "your precious blood!"

Yeah, you know the drill -- Orlock is obviously a vampire who has a craving for Hutter's hearty Germanic blood, and Hutter's troll boss knows what he is. Hutter soon realizes what Orlock is, but he's too late to stop the vampire from departing from his ancient castle and going to Hutter's own hometown. In true vampire tradition, he also leaves a trail of corpses behind him -- and there's only one way to stop him.

Given the current manias about stuff like "Twilight" and "True Blood," it's both refreshing and humbling to see that the best vampire movies are also some of the oldest. "Nosferatu" is only loosely based on Bram Stoker's novel (though closely enough that it was ordered destroyed by Stoker's widow), it's absolutely soaked in gothic atmosphere and creeping horror.

Oh sure, "Nosferatu" has the overacting and goofy makeup of the silent era, especially from any actors who are not Schreck. But F.W. Murnau sketched together some truly brilliant direction here -- he coats "Nosferatu" in creepy silhouettes and freaky moments of sorrow and terror (note the symbolism of the venus flytrap!).

As for the vampire himself, Max Schreck simply RULES this movie. The other actors are decent, but Schreck is simply sublime as the rat-toothed, clawed, ghoulish Orlock, and manages to give one of the most subtle performances in any silent film. He's literally the antithesis of the sparkly angsty teenyboppers of current vampire crazes.

"Nosferatu" is the original vampire movie, and remains one of the best almost ninety years after its release. Spooky, weird and yes, sometimes scary.
1601974
This film lives up to all of the accolades including Horror Film of the Year by Fangoria Magazine.  It is definitely "A vampire tale like no other.  Mesmerizing," as stated on the DVD box.  The relationship between Oscar and Eli is profound.  The editing is perfect.  The casting is perfect.  The setting is perfect.  And the English dubbing is first class.  Five stars...hands down.  One of the most romantic horror films I have ever seen.  I, too, fell in love with Eli.  Oscar's first love is definitely his last.  He watches her back...she watches his.  A gem!
4385267
This is one of the best vampire films I've ever seen. I hope the US doesn't ruin it by making a western version.
217901
This movie is excellent.  I like vampire movies.  I always have, but I've found that most movies emphasize their sexuality, their beauty, their mystery.  Few truly portray the horror involved in the realization that you now need to consume human blood.  This movie truly drew out the horror involved in the frightening realization that you're turning into a monster, and there's nothing you can do to stop it, especially when you have no idea what you're doing.

Again, just my personal experience, but I generally don't like found footage films.  This one changed my mind on them.  The actors did an excellent job, and considering that it was a low budget film, it was really well made.  It had little of the camp that a lot of low-budget horror films possess.  And there was some genuine wisdom in there.
"You cannot choose not to kill, but you can choose who you kill.  It makes a difference."

And that ending credits scene.  I won't spoil that, though.
1058814
F.W. Murnau's "Nosferatu" remains the greatest of all vampire movies. It is a haunting, visually stunning experience and one of first true visual masterpieces in the history of film. Max Schreck is the best vampire I have ever seen in a movie because unlike the usual Draculas (well, here for copyright reasons it's Count Orlock), his is scary as hell. He makes Hannibal Lecter look like a sissy! Murnau presents some of the most haunting and hypnotic gothic images ever filmed and his story rarely needs the typical title card where the dialogue appears because just by looking, we know what's going on, we are drawn in and captured. It remains a creepy little gem. The only movie to even come near its effect is Werner Herzog's 1979 color remake. Murnau's film is an example of true art in the cinema, of real storytelling and building of atmosphere through sheer images. When film historians and critics look back at the beginnings of filmmaking, "Nosferatu" will forever be mentioned. It ranks among "M," "The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari" and "Metropolis" as one of the great German works, and among all movies is a giant. It deserves more than one viewing, it will draw you back for a second viewing.
1599570
I bought this a while back and this is actually one those movies that you find yourself going to look at over again , because it is actually a very good movie. It has that cool 60's euro gothic horror field to it I would put up there with The Vampire and The Playmates which you should definately check out too. ProgMark
231711
I feel like this film didn't get the credit it was deserved - especially in the line of werewolf films. It takes the genre and gives it a nice hard twist. It isn't boggled down with senseless gore, but rather lightened with brilliant insight to lycanthropic lore and tradition, with nice spins and twists. The mystery element is also nice and it isn't one of those that is so easily figured out, either - it keeps you thinking until the end. I won't fill this with spoilers, but, as a fan (a mainly disappointed fan as of late) of werewolf films, this was a breath of welcomed icy fresh air! It's a must see - brilliant 'wolf portrayal and brilliant acting to boot. Very well done.
4456154
The Interview with the Vampire what can I say it was one of those films that started it all. Tom Cruse as La stat, he did a wonderful job, it was nice to see him stepping out of a super hero action character for once. I found the films backdrop of New Orleans nice and haunting along with score by Elliot Goldenthal. If you want a true vampire film other than these wanna be t.v. shows that don't even compare then choose this one.
134599
Young Charley Brewster discovers that a murderous vampire has moved in next door, but his mom, his girlfriend Amy, and his kooky friend Evil Ed don't believe him.  To convince Charley that he is in error, Amy and Evil Ed hire the late-night TV horror host, Peter Vincent, to subject the purported vampire to "the test."  But once the motley troupe enter the vampire's lair, the FRIGHT NIGHT truly begins.
Despite a predominately youthful cast, this is definitely not the average cookie-cutter teen horror flick.  Writer-Director Tom Holland's boy-who-cried-wolf script is both humorous and scary, and he has ingeniously employed all the typical conventions of the vampire sub-genre in fresh and interesting ways that sidestep the cliche.  This, combined with outstanding special effects and top-notch performances, helps rank FRIGHT NIGHT among the cinematic vampire classics.
The acting is excellent.  The three younger principals-William Ragsdale as Charley, Amanda Bearse as Amy, and Stephen Geoffreys as Evil Ed-all deliver their roles with an honesty few young actors can achieve, and they are therefore quite convincing as teenagers facing a horrific situation.  But it is Chris Sarandon and Roddy McDowall that truly carry the film.  As the vampire neighbor Jerry Dandrige, Sarandon is at times flippant and at other times downright terrifying.  He knows just when to play it straight and when to be a ham, and he never misses a beat.  And veteran thespian Roddy McDowall is perfectly cast as ersatz vampire hunter Peter Vincent.  He handles his character's shift from Shakespearean bravado to whimpering cowardice (and back!) so deftly that his performance is nothing less than a sheer joy to watch.
The bulk of the special effects, and therefore the biggest shocks, come during the last third of the film.  But that doesn't mean that the first part of the film isn't scary.  Even in the lighter moments, Writer-Director Holland maintains a spooky atmosphere throughout, and he is helped in this by Sarandon's smarmy vampirish charm and by Ragsdale's convincing depiction of a young man spiraling into the pit of abject fear.
The DVD version of FRIGHT NIGHT doesn't have a lot of extras, but it's still well worth the cost.  To quote the trailer: "If you love being scared, this could be the night of your life!"