Search - Grave of the Vampire on DVD

Old-School Horror Gem!

Russroom | Summit, NJ | 03/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a lean, mean little movie that delivers the goods. Violence, gore, and some really creepy scenes. If you were a kid in the 1970's who grew up on Creature Features and Famous Monsters Magazine, this is for you. Lots of atmosphere, spooky graveyards, crypts, and a frightening scene in a basement. The end fight between William Smith and Micheal Pataki must be seen to be believed. They really fight! Forget the current rapid edit style of shooting fights, you will see 2 guys beat the daylights out of each other. The DVD print is quite satisfactory, although this was a low budget movie to begin with, so don't expect Star Wars. This movie does not disappoint!"

An original idea, but not a lot of talent to back it up

Stephen Cannon | Yokohama, Japan | 07/12/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I have seen innumerable horror movies, and a good number of vampire movies among them. It seems that vampire movies must be difficult to make because the bad ones outnumber the good ones by such a wide margin.Grave of the Vampire starts with a woman who is raped by a caped stranger one dark night. The woman finds herself pregnant as a result of the attack, and when the baby is born she is surprised to find that it will not drink from her breast. Then she discovers that the baby drinks blood, and she proceeds to nurse the baby on her own blood. Regular feedings gradually weaken the woman, and she dies young as a result. Meanwhile, the baby grows to an adult and learns that he was conceived when his mother was raped, most likely by a vampire. He proceeds to hunt down his father, the vampire, who teaches at a university.The vampire is so unredeemably weird that it is difficult to believe he could get a job as a professor, even considering the huge number of really weird university professors out there. Equally unfortunate is that the vampire lacks the ability to inspire much fear because the actor who plays him is so completely inept. The other problem is that when the son finally meets his vampire father, the movie quickly switches to a showdown between the two. I would have much rather have seen the father and son have a discussion while they ate bloodsicles in the park or something rather than just a routine fistfight. Furthermore, I think it would have played better if the producers had a better concept for the vampire other than the often seen Bela Lugosi "Cape Wearing European Gentleman" vampire.However, I have to offer kudos for the clever idea of the woman giving birth to a baby vampire, but the mother is not given even a single line of dialogue in the movie, so even though it comes up with these ideas, it does not make any effort to explore them.Also, please be aware that this is a cheaply made 70s movie, so the color is kind of washed out, and everyone in it is in desperate need of a haircut.I would recommend this movie to vampire fans, because I do think that those involved with making this movie made a serious effort, but still, the result is not that remarkable."

Cheaply made but entertaining in a three star way

PJ Morrone | Maryland (USA) | 02/13/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The mother isn't given any dialogue? What movie was this guy watching? She has dialogue prior to the rape, while at the hospital arguing with the doctor who is trying to talk her into getting rid of the baby, after giving birth, and while trying to nurse the child.

I've always been a fan of William Smith. The ending was kind of off beat and corny, but all in all it's fairly entertaining."

ORIGINAL AND SCARY!!!

PJ Morrone | 01/17/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The idea of a vampire being hunted by his son is original.The plot is about a man who,many years back studied witchcraft with his wife.His wife was burned at the stake.Later,the man is being chased by police and he accidently gets electricuted.This is explained in the movie.Now,when a young couple decide to make out at a graveyard(of all places),the killer rises from his grave as a vampire.He kills the young guy and rapes the girl.After the girl gets pregnent,she thinks it's her boyfriend when infact,it's the vampires.The boy grows up and is now bent on revenge.He tracts down his father finally and a great showdown happens between both.I do need to say that the end was quite a let down.It made me wonder if a sequel was going to happen.The chilling back drops and storyline are good for back when the movie was made.It has the original begining of half vampire,half human,Blade.Michael Pataki as the vampire,did a decent portrayal.William Smith played the son and he was'nt that bad either.The other actors where were'nt that good though.This movie has good shock value with some humor."