Arriving at a Romanian castle, several American scholars visiting the area to study relics left behind when they come across a resurrected vampire looking to take over the family legacy of terrorizing the area while his brother attempts to stop him in order to protect a long-held pact.This was quite the enjoyable vampire entry. One of the more enjoyable aspects of this one is the fact that there's an overbearing and relentless Gothic atmosphere throughout the film. The setting at a real castle, complete with the rocky terrain, wooden cabinets, stone construction and Olde-World charm, really manages to make this one feel like it's lost in that time-frame. It really helps to sell the shenanigans later on with the idea that this type of location forces these action scenes to emerge which is where this one really gets plenty to like. The idea of the vampires confronting the students inside this large setup causes some great scenes of the initial confrontation with the demonic creatures he creates from his fingers, the race to stop him from feeding on the clueless girls sleeping in the cabin while he drinks them at his leisure and the glorious scenes of the vampires crawling out of their crypts or coffins to create some stunning visuals. Likewise, the inclusion of the series of folkloric customs and traditions shown to be practiced here, from the celebration within the town looking to overcome the illness of the locals which includes all the jovial music and dancing with people in their costumes as well as the intent behind their actions to other scenes featuring the different methods of combating the vampires around them. The last half is where this one really whips up some incredibly fun action with several storylines converging at once to leave quite an impression, from the turned friend now attacking them as a vampire, the chained-up one stuck in the basement being tortured by the demonic beings under his control to the series of battles across the castle with the brides and the creatures. The big battle in the underground hideout where this one really manages to generate some entertaining confrontations and battles between the two sides while putting their tactics to good use in the right place. Alongside some fine nudity and a tolerable amount of gore, these help hold this one up over it's few minor issues. The film's main problem is the fact that there's just not a whole lot of action throughout the first half here to really dig into. The halting nature of the action showing them running around meeting the castle drags on with a lot of fine Gothic atmosphere but little else, and that really highlights how taken aback the main vampire really is. He doesn't really do much beyond looking intimidating, and the few chances he gets to really let loose are always interrupted so it doesn't really feature any kind of threatening main vampire to dive into. The other real issue is the low-budget feel that doesn't really let this one get any kind of really intense feel with its overall appearance since there's not a whole lot of blood and gore and the make-up effects are inconsistent which drags the look of the film down somewhat. Otherwise, there's not much really wrong here.Rated R: Graphic Violence, Language and Nudity.

This movie did an outstanding job of combining sci-fi with horror in a Romanian setting that would seem like it could have been the source of the Dracula legend. In fact, Bran Castle in Romania, which serves as Castle Vladislas in the movie is often cited as the place where Dracula (Vlad the Impaler) lived. Although that isn't true, Bran Castle was the temporary home to this films fictitious vampire Radu Vladislav. The acting in the movie was quite good and the special effects impressive; especially given the film's meager budget. Subspecies, The first of the movies in the series, is also clearly the best of the four movies and it has developed quite a real cult following over the years.

A few years ago, while I was renting some movies, I came across Subspecies 4, ended up watching it and actually kind of liking it, we need a good vampire gore flick that doesn't hold back. But when I went back to the video store, they said they didn't have any other Subspecies videos, unfortunately, the same went for any other video store I checked out. I gave up, until someone on youtube actually posted all the Subspecies films and I got to watch them all last night and I'm hooked. I am now a fan of the Full Moon Subspecies series. I think because this was the type of horror film I have been looking for, I've been looking for a good cheesy scare for a long time and Subspecies filled that spot. Radu is one of the coolest vampires on screen and almost gives Nosferatu a run for his fangs! Radu is an evil vampire who is after his blood stone, his birth rite, the stone contains some blood that is absolutely incredible and gives him strength. Three American girls who are studying Romanian history and culture bump into a man, Stephan, who offers to help. They stay at Radu's castle where we find out that Stephan is Radu's brother; Radu seduces and turns two of the girls, but Stephan falls for one of the girls, Michelle, and will do anything to protect her.Subspecies is a fun series, despite the cheesy effects, it makes it in some ways more likable. Plus Radu was a perfect villain as Stephan was the perfect angel like romantic vampire. The story is chilling and I think this was a fun vampire movie. This was also the first in the series, the best part is, the sequels are just as fun. I would recommend this for a scary movie night, watch it in the dark, Radu is sure to send shivers down your spine, or even your neck... OK, cheesy joke, couldn't resist.7/10

This is one of the best and moodiest Vampire Tales ever! I love this movie really. The character are great, even the locations and the story. Indeed the Picture isn't a big budget production, but it is absolutely worth seeing.OK there are some faults (especially the Names of the Castle and the Locations) in this movie, but such mistakes are typically and are almost in every Horror Movie.The scenery fits perfect to the story and is close to reality,I can say that honest, because I visit them once when I was in Romania in my Vacations.In my opinion this is the Best Part of the Subspecies Series.