This intriguing science fiction tale from the master of atmospheric horror, Mario Bava, is a lot different from the norm. Instead of having an alien planet packed with drooling nasties, instead we get the tale of an invisible race of alien 'vampires' who can take over dead bodies and are hell-bent on continuing their race by moving to another planet via the visitors' spaceships.As with most of Bava's films this is dripping with atmosphere, in the eerie fog-bound and wind-swept location of the alien planet. The landscape is full of bubbling lava and dark, brooding shadows cast by ugly rock formations. It's easy to believe that anything could be lurking out there in the shadows and this fear of the unknown is what Bava plays on and exploits to the maximum. It's definitely creepy if not downright scary. Any fan of the film ALIEN and the first sequel to it will notice the resemblance between the bleak, lonely planets as PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES was very influential on that particular saga. The acting is fine, especially Barry Sullivan who excels as the charismatic and commanding leader of the group, a fine leader if ever I saw one.The supporting cast is varied although a few of the faces lower down in the cast are not particularly distinctive and blend into one, serving the same purpose as the 'red suits' in STAR TREK, i.e. cannon fodder, or in this case vampire fodder. Lower down in the list you may just spot a young Ivan Rassimov before he got caught up in the cannibal films of the '70s. The outlandish costumes in this film are inevitably truly '60s in design, leather bodysuits with winged collars. The film is most frightening when dealing with our fear of the unknown, with crew members disappearing into the night, taken by a presence we do not know. When the vampires do appear as glowing balls of light, the special effects inevitably disappoint due to dating. While this might ruin the carefully set-up atmospherics, these effects are still passable and enjoyably old-fashioned, with flashing lasers and such. Bava obviously created the film on a low budget and frankly did wonders with it.The violence content is kept low, although there are some bloodied bodies which return from the dead to provide visceral impact. Actually, scenes with the bodies rising from their graves and ripping plastic sheeting from their torsos is extremely unnerving, reminding me of similar scenes in THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES where the zombified dead claw their way from the earth. There are also some great bits where three crew members discover the giant skeletons of long-dead beings, very spooky indeed. The twist ending is expected yet still hits home, and there's even a cheesy yet effective closing scene. Be warned, it is downbeat though. PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES has something for everyone, and thus excels as an example of borderline science fiction/horror.

Seriously, I kept starting awake from the sleep that this film had sent me into, and having to reverse the DVD to check what I'd missed.I watch all kinds of films, pulp, schlock and highbrow, and usually I enjoy them on their own respective levels. I've enjoyed a few Mario Bava films. Black Sunday is a favourite. The costumes in Planet of the Vampires reminded me of Danger Diabolik, which I understand Bava directed uncredited.Sadly, there's really no reason I can think of for anyone to watch this dreadful mess. The only hint of the Gothic splendour Bava brought to some of his best stuff is a giant skeleton which the spacemen find. I had high hopes of that, but it didn't actually do anything, just sort of the sprawled there... as you'd expect. Oh, and there was a bit of scenery that looked a bit like a petrified tentacle. But no-one actually seemed to notice it.In the end, there was just a bunch of talking heads. Maybe he should have made a radio play from the script. But I think it would still have sent me to sleep.

Although this 1965 film is an Italian production, directed by the famed Mario Bava, it was released by American International and stars American Barry Sullivan as the captain and main protagonist. Its original Italian title is (translated) "Terror in Space," which is better than the American title "Planet of the Vampires" (also "Demon Planet") seeing as how there are no blood-sucking vampires anywhere to be seen.THE STORY: Barry Sullivan commands a spaceship that goes to a strange unknown planet in response to a distress call from another ship. They soon discover that the creepy planet is home to incorporeal aliens who desire their bodies and ship to leave the planet.Although "Terror in Space" came out a year before the original Star Trek appeared on television, both the film and Star Trek borrow heavily from concepts introduced in the ground-breaking "Forbidden Planet" (1956). It should be noted that "Terror in Space" did not technically come before Star Trek since the first Trek pilot episode "The Cage" was filmed in 1964. And the second pilot "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was filmed at about the same time as "Terror" in 1965.POSITIVES: I've heard a lot of good things about this film over the years, in particular the ultra-cool black leather uniforms with Nazi-like emblems and the atmospheric creepiness of the planet, and was not disappointed.In addition, the film features two women -- a redhead and a blond -- as prominent figures in the crew of the spacecraft, a notable thing for 1965 (although keep in mind that Gene Roddenberry featured a female first officer in "The Cage" a year before). Both of these women are stunningly beautiful, enhanced by the black leather uniforms.Although the film borrows heavily from "Forbidden Planet" its story is original and innovative. So much so, in fact, that Ridley Scott's "Alien" (1979) ripped-off every main aspect of the first half (!!). No kidding. In defense of "Alien" Scott did take these concepts and made a BETTER sci-fi/horror picture.NEGATIVES: The film is from 1965 and therefore has dated sets and effects, comparable to the original Star Trek TV series. If this fact turns you off, stay away.Unlike "Forbidden Planet" and the original Star Trek the story isn't very compelling. Yes, the set-up is interesting but by the 35-minute mark I was highly tempted to tune out (and did the first time I tried to watch it). It's hard to say why the story isn't compelling despite the film's numerous innovations, but one reason for sure is that, unlike Star Trek, the crewmembers are bland and lack distinction.Some point out that "Terror in Space" is a darker version of the original Star Trek. This is true only in the sense that the sets and uniforms are darker; certainly not in the sense that it's more serious and mature. I say this because Star Trek was ultra-serious and mature right out of the gate; for verification 9 out of the first 10 episodes were dark, serious and mature in the truest sense -- "The Cage," "Where No Man Has Gone Before," "The Corbomite Maneuver," "Enemy Within," "The Man Trap," "The Naked Time," "Charlie X," "Balance of Terror" and "What Are Little Girls Made Of?".FINAL ANALYSIS: If it were 1965 I'd give "Terror in Space" a solid B+ (4/5 Stars), but since it's been so outdone by the original Star Trek and "Alien" I can only honestly rate it C+. Regardless, it deserves a revered spot in any sci-fi/horror aficionado's video library.

I was a bit afraid to watch this flick from the sixties. I don't dig flicks from the fifties or sixties but what a relieve it was to see this one. It's directed by Mario Bava well known for so much horror flicks. But here he directed a science fiction. Science fiction in that era is mostly out dated to today's standards but this here keep me watching and finally I really enjoyed it. It's a good story and you never see the real monsters or vampires. To say vampires is maybe a bit exaggerated because you don't see any fangs. But it contains for the time being a lot of blood and is even for that time gory. One person do open his jacket to show his body being ripped apart by the alien creatures. And just have a close look towards the space costumes they were wearing. It was made in leather and you could easily see that the collars annoyed them. They can't turn their face properly so they have to act a bit wooden. Nice flick and surely a view worth if you are into science fiction or even horror.