Thursday, May 7, 2009

Mark Of The Vampire (1935) aka Vampires Of Prague

3.5 / 5
Directed by: Tod Browning
Written by: Guy Endore, Bernard Schubert
Actors include: Lionel Barrymore, Bela Lugosi, Elizabeth Allen
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Length: 60 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: USA

Review:
So this is really a remake of the lost film "London After Midnight", and is it ever something. For the first oh say half of the film I thought it was one of the best I've ever seen...better than original "Dracula" better than most things. It is extremely atmospheric with cobwebs, shadows and it's creepy honest! Watching Bela in his Dracula make-up (with a different Count Name) and the lady vampire (who is the creepiest Vampire next to Lon's portrayal in "London After..."). There is even a scene where she has bat wings and flies in through the window and it's awesome! So anyhow what ruined this film is the confusing Scooby Doo plot. After watching the movie, then watching the "London After Midnight: Reconstruction" and reading up on it on the internet and discussing it with my Husband we think we may have figured out the plot. It's about a guy who committed a murder but is trying to pass it off as the next door neighbours who are vampires (well okay it's him and the maid dressed up as I think supposedly). The big problem is that twists are fine, but these require you to suspend belief and forget things you've definitely seen earlier on in the film. It was maddening and head-ache inducing but since the first half was so incredible I can't say to avoid it. At least it's short...but if you are anything like me you'll be confused for several hours after.

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