ROMAN POLANSKI
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBB.
Alternate title: Dance Of The Vampires
USA/United Kingdom, 1967. Cadre Films, Filmways Pictures. Screenplay by Gerard Brach, Roman Polanski. Cinematography by Douglas Slocombe. Produced by Gene Gutowski. Music by Krzysztof Komeda. Production Design by Wilfred Shingleton. Costume Design by Sophie Devine. Film Editing by Alastair McIntyre.
Hilarious horror film marked Roman Polanski’s first Hollywood feature. He co-stars as half of a duo of vampire hunters (with Jack MacGowran) whose ineptitude keeps them from ever accomplishing their task of ridding the villages of Europe of their evil inhabitants. Their latest stop is at a place where the local vampire has set his sights on the beautiful Sharon Tate. The heroes try to get in the way, but their bumbling methods aren’t too effective. A bit too slow in parts, this delightful comedy has winning moments of humour that complement its adorable art direction. It’s not on the list of movies that you think of when you talk about Polanski the artist, however, so don’t expect too much more than your average Christopher Lee Dracula movie.
