RETRO: ‘Planet of the Vampires’ is not your average bloodsucking movie

Mario Bava’s legendary Planet of the Vampires doesn’t feel like a vampires movie, at least not by 2012 standards. The science-fiction tale, running a quick 86 minutes, is an atmospheric time capsule from the mid-1960s. There are very few scares, and many of the lines of dialogue result in modern-day laughs, but there’s something eerily effective about Bava’s movie. He knows how to get the most out of any setting.

Those looking for action and bloodsucking will be disappointed. When the astronauts land on this foreign planet, everything looks and feels like an old Star Trek episode. Punches fly 3 feet away from people’s heads. Everyone is well-manicured and overstating their lines.

Truth be told, it all feels somewhat boring and anti-climactic. But then there’s that atmosphere. Much like his later horror films, Bava knew how to tell his story around a visual display of cinematic magic tricks.

Again, don’t expect vampires to lurk in the night. The alien beings resemble nothing you’ve ever seen, and it seems like the term “vampires” is misused in the title. But for those audience members willing to let the astronaut hijinks win them over, there’s much to enjoy.

Barry Sullivan turns up as Capt. Mark Markary (not exactly an inventive name), and he seems to be the only one taking the movie seriously. Planet of the Vampires is definitely one of those films that can be appreciated by some, but for most others it’s a great period piece for midnight viewing.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Planet of the Vampires

• 1965

• Written and directed by Mario Bava; with additional writing credits from Alberto Bevilacqua, Callisto Cosulich, Antonio Róman, Rafael J. Salvia

• Starring Barry Sullivan

• Running time: 86 minutes

• Rating: