In this 1972 film (which was reportedly made for $50,000), exploitation vet William Smith plays James Eastman, a young man who just happens to be half-vampire and who has dedicated his life to tracking down and destroying his father. And who is his father? None other than serial killer-turned-bloodsucker Caleb Croft (Michael Pataki) who is now teaching a course down at the local college! What choice does James have but to enroll in his father’s class and then make plans to destroy him?
While it’s pretty obvious that Grave of the Vampire was made for next to no money, it’s still got a few atmospheric scenes. While the film really doesn’t do as much as one might hope with the whole idea of James between half-vampire and half-human, it’s still worth seeing for Michael Pataki’s performance. He is one intimidating vampire!
Through the Shattered Lens 