Vampyr

Vampyr was a French/German film production. Produced and directed by Carl Dreyer. Dreyer's classic film portrays a dreamlike world seen through the eyes of a young man, portrayed by Julien West. This film is very nightmarish, and has a lot of dreamlike sequences. Also, this film is loosely based on Sheridan Le Fanu's classic "Carmilla". The cast is unknown, and, from what i understand, made up from a lot of his friends/supporters. I know, it's slow moving, however, pay close attention to the part where David Gray watches himself being buried alive in a coffin complete with a glass window. What a scene! Sit back, enjoy and, as i, you may have to watch it a couple of times to get the full impact. John R. Tracy

"Vampyr" is unlike any other movie ever made, and certainly unlike any other "horror" movie ever made. It's a spectral masterwork in which poetic audiovisual allusions create suggestions of events, as in the scene where the shadows get up and dance, or the ghostly scene when the vampire strikes her victim. It is a film of atmosphere, of light and shadow, played out on themes of death and rebirth.

VAMPYR is the perfect bridge between NOSFERATU and DRACULA. It also bridges the silent and sound eras. Watching it is a macabre treat. The images of vampires, specters, and living shadows accentuate the ghoulish story. This is all soaked in an atmosphere of thick foreboding. It's like a nightmare captured on film. The character of Allan Grey (Julian West) is iconic. His "ghost walk" and "coffin view" scenes are incredible! If you're a vampire-horror fan or just love classic movies, this belongs on your watchlist...

Simply: it's beautiful work of art. No action. No slasher scenes. There is almost less speaking then in Aki Kaurismäki's films. Master of silent movie, Carl Th. Dreyer, uses more silent film magic than any spoken voices. Movie's style is from another world. Living shadows, ghosts, vampire in the foggy wood and (of course) the famous scene where man watch himself to be buried alive. There is no way you can say what this film is true and what dream. It's like Dreyer would have put he's own dream in to the screen. Nobody have done anything like this later, perhaps because the gray light that is all the time in the film came by an accident. There is no movie like this and no way there is another horror movie like this! Vampire- movie fan can watch this with F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu. They are different film's, but strange way spooky at same way.

With its fragmented plot, eerie imagery, and air of undefined menace this film more nearly realises the dream state than any other film I've seen. The story, which follows a young man's discovery of vampiric doings while on a trip to the country, is secondary to the fascinatingly uncanny mood generated by the cinematography and effective use of sound and silence. Yes, yes, it's old and unconventional, and requires either some extra concentration or complete surrender to its unique world, but the effort is worth it. Vampyr should especially appeal to fans of cinefantastique, cinema history and maybe even the arthouse crowd.

For a movie made in 1932, this is very, very impressive. Confusing plot aside, the emphasis in this Victorian nightmare is placed on the cinematic aspects. "Vampyr" is plodding, very dark and eerie, filled with such haunting atmosphere and brooding visuals full of unseen, but lurking terror - very effecting. It works on a subconscious and emotional level more than any other way. I think it's worth a look.