Since reading Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula," I've been viewing a bunch of Dracula movies. Although "Dance of the Vampires," renamed "The Fearless Vampire Killers" in the US, isn't a "Dracula" adaptation, it's said to parody the Dracula and vampire series of Hammer Films. Having endured some of the lackluster output from that studio to follow its more-successful original 1958 "Dracula" adaptation, I wanted to be rewarded for it by Roman Polanski's vampire comedy. In that regard, it's quite enjoyable despite a lot of the humor not working for me.As far as vampire comedies go, I find "Love at First Bite" (1979) funnier—largely because of its rapid-fire structure of jokes. Many of the one-liners are duds, but they're quickly passed over by other lines that do work. "Dance of the Vampires," on the other hand, is rather slow and silent early on, although it picks up after the vampires come into the picture. The humor is more of the physical and slapstick variety. While this leaves a lot of dead space, when a gag does pay off, it can be more gratifying.The best ones, methinks, are those that upend traditional vampire lore established by prior movies. The Van Helsing type Professor as a buffoon, for instance, or the first explicitly gay vampire in mainstream cinema that I know of—who is thwarted by a human biting him! Or the Jewish sexual predator who continues much in the same vein once he's turned into a vampire. In one of the film's best jokes, when his victim confronts him with the usual vampire repellent of a cross, he quips, "You got the wrong vampire."Like some of the Hammer films, there's sex (plenty of cleavage and bath scenes and a bit of spanking) and color. "The Fearless Vampire Killers" is even better photographed and has richer locations than Hammer's output. Of course, there's a makeshift cross in one scene, too, and the vampires are a satanic cult. The bath scenes, the human and vampire sex predators and the hunchback assistant (à la Universal's non-Dracula monster movies) reminded me of another "Dracula" adaptation, "Drakula Istanbul'da" (1953).The film's alternate title, "The Fearless Vampire Killers," can be read two ways: as referring to the human Professor and his assistant or to the vampires themselves. Reflecting this dual reading, there are two comedic chases: in the first, the humans chase a vampire and, in the second, the vampires chase the humans. Moreover, these vamps have mirrors in their mansion. Unlike the inexplicable mirror in Castle Dracula of Franco's poor 1970 adaptation, these mirrors have a reason. The vampires don't care whether the mirrors expose their true nature because they're not hiding. They're not like the suave Dracula of so many movies who sneaks into high-class English society. No, their mirrors expose the true nature of humans. This works wonderfully in the ballroom dance sequence (which is likely inspired by Hammer's "The Kiss of the Vampire" (1963)). It's far better as a gag than Mel Brooks's ballroom mirror exposure in "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" (1995), which returns mirrors to being a threat to vampires.

No matter what you might think about Roman Polanski as a person, it's hard to deny his brilliance as a director, particularly in the mid-to-late '60s, when he was firing on all cylinders. Sandwiched between the harrowing psychological drama Repulsion (1965) and the chilling Satanic classic Rosemary's Baby (1968), The Fearless Vampire Killers sees Polanski deftly combining comedy and horror, his film possessing a chilling, dark fairy-tale atmosphere, interspersed by expertly handled moments of low-key humour.Roman also stars in the film, playing Alfred, assistant to eccentric Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran), whose belief in the undead has led the pair to a remote European village that is under threat from Count von Krolock and his bloodsucking acolytes. Making their way to Krolock's castle, Alfred and Abronsius attempt to rescue pretty villager Sarah (tragic Manson Murder victim Sharon Tate) and prevent the vampires from spreading their evil around the world.With smart direction, an efficient script, superb cinematography and a truly haunting score, the film is a real treat for vampire film fans and delivers several outstanding scenes that easily rival the Euro-horror/Hammer movies that clearly provided Polanski with his inspiration. For me, the high point comes when our hapless heroes try to make their way to the Count's crypt via the snowy rooftops and perilous parapets of the castle— breath-taking stuff—but also memorable are Alfie Bass as a Jewish vampire sledding in a coffin, Iain Quarrier as the Count's gay vampire son Herbert von Krolock (his pursuit of Alfred being the film's funniest moment), and the eerie vampire ball in which Abronsius and his assistant dance with the undead.7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.

Dance of the Vampires (1967) its often considered to be one of Polanski's worst films, mainly because many people find it to be dull, boring, unfunny and underdeveloped. However, I find it quite riveting. It inspired many horror comedies and I think I can see how many 70's and 80's filmmakers have drawn inspiration from this film, specially Joe Dante and John Landis.Its not incredibly hilarious but I think its funny, not enough to make me laugh out loud but its still serviceable. What I like the most about the movie is of course the usual stuff you get with Polanki's films, the direction, the performances, the music and the scenery. Its what you would expect from the great Polanski.I never really appreciated this film until now, its slow but I like that, it takes its time to establish the mood, the characters, the atmosphere and the overall tone the film will have.It may be a new favorite of mine, I will have to see if I will enjoy this as much in another viewing in the future.

Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran) has been ridiculed for his unusual obsessive research. In snowy Transylvania, he and his dim assistant Alfred (Roman Polanski) stumble upon a village with vampires. They're taken with the beautiful bathing Sarah Shagal (Sharon Tate). She gets bitten and taken. They follow to the castle of Count von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne) which also has his son Herbert and Koukol, the manservant.The version I saw does not have the animated opening sequence. It's a quirky vampire movie. It's not big laughs. It's not in the same league as Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein nor is it trying to be. Although MacGowran has that funny Einstein look. It has the style of those old Hammer Films. It's a bit slapstick but not fully spoof. It's not scary either. It is still very interesting in the uniqueness of its artistic comedy horror blend. It's just not scary nor all that funny. Polanski running around the building ending up at the same place next to the vampire is the funniest bit. Overall, it's more cute than big laughs.