Search - Kiss of the Vampire on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Movie Release: 1963 DVD Release: 08/05/1998 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 28 mins Studio: Image Entertainment Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Drama, Horror, Costume Horror

Producer Anthony Hinds used the alias John Elder to pen the screenplay of Kiss of the Vampire. Dr. Ravna (Noel Willman), an early 20th century Bavarian, entices a British honeymooning couple, Gerald and Marianne (Clifford Evans, Jennifer Daniel), to accept his hospitality. Once ensconced in Ravna's chateau, the couple discovers with horror that Ravna, Bavaria's biggest fan of Count Dracula, is the leader of an enthusiastic vampire cult. Clifford Evans plays the Van Helsing counterpart, Professor Zimmer, a vampire expert who first tries to warn the couple out of the area and then saves Marianne. Not as horrific as the title suggests, Kiss of the Vampire concentrates on the seductive, sensual side of vampirism, especially in a surrealistic masked-ball sequence. Though it contains far less bloodletting than most Hammer productions, Kiss of the Vampire was severely cut for its American TV release (and retitled Kiss of Evil). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Clifford Evans - Prof. Zimmer
Noel Willman - Dr. Ravna
Edward de Souza - Gerald Harcourt
Jennifer Daniel - Marianne Harcourt
Barry Warren - Carl Ravna

Remembered primarily as one of the Hammer vampire films that Christopher Lee did not appear in (the other being The Brides of Dracula from 1960), Kiss of the Vampire should nevertheless satisfy fans of gothic horror. The film is drenched in atmosphere, good acting, and contains some imaginatively staged set pieces including the bat attack finale. When originally aired on American television, under the title Kiss of Evil, the film was heavily re-edited. But this disc contains the British version which is the better of the two. The picture has been letterboxed at 1.66:1 and is available with an English mono soundtrack. The picture is fairly clean, looking sharp and colorful throughout. The English mono soundtrack is virtually noise free and is likewise acceptable. Unfortunately, though, the disc does not contain the original theatrical trailer or any production information of any kind. Luckily, the film alone definitely makes this disc a must-own for your horror film collection. ~ Derek Hill, All Movie Guide