Today’s horror scene that I love comes from the 1997 French film, Two Orphan Vampires.
I knew that I really wanted to share a scene from Two Orphan Vampires on this date. It’s my favorite Jean Rollin film. Unfortunately, most of the really good scenes have been taken off of YouTube. That said, I do like the way Rollin uses the color blue in this scene and the opening image of those two blind vampires walking across the bridge is still a strong one. When viewed out of context, the attack on the poet may be seen weak but actually it’s just another example of Rollin’s dream-like aesthetic. If the attack on the poet seems fake, that may be because it wasn’t supposed to have really happened.
4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films is all about letting the visuals do the talking.
This October, I am going to be using our 4 Shots From 4 Films feature to pay tribute to some of my favorite horror directors, in alphabetical order! That’s right, we’re going from Argento to Zombie in one month!
Today’s director: the master of French surrealism, Jean Rollin!
4 Shots From 4 Films
The Rape of the Vampire (1968, dir by Jean Rollin)
My latest edition is dedicated to Eurohorror! Some of these trailers are not going to be safe for work. Of course, you probably shouldn’t be watching trailers at work in the first place. But, in case you are, don’t let your boss catch you. If you do get caught and lose your job, feel free to leave a comment under this post and let us know about your experience. We love to hear that we’re changing lives.
The Awful Dr. Orloff (1962)
The Awful Dr. Orloff was directed by Jess Franco and is considered to be the first Spanish horror film. It was also an international success that helped to launch Franco’s amazingly prolific career.
2. The Girl Who Knew Too Much (a.k.a. Evil Eye) (1963)
This film, from director Mario Bava, is considered to be the first true giallo film. When it was released in the United States, it was retitled Evil Eye.
3. The Shiver of the Vampires (1971)
From French director Jean Rollin comes this story of vampires hiding in grandfather clocks. (Actually, there’s more to it than just that. But that’s the scene that everyone seems to remember.)
4. Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971)
Arguably, this was the first Spanish zombie film.
5. The Grapes of Death (1978)
Again from director Jean Rollin, this is the first French zombie movie.
6. The Living Dead Girl (1981)
Finally, one last trailer from Jean Rollin. You might not be able to guess it from the trailer but The Living Dead Girl is actually one of the most poignant films ever made.
Today’s horror scene that I love comes from Jean Rollin’s surrealistic 1979 masterpiece, Fascination.
Below, you’ll fin the opening 6 minutes of Fascination, which contains some of the best examples of Rollin’s dream-like imagery. The dance on the bridge remains one of his most haunting images.
Today’s horror scene that I love comes from 1970’s La Vampire Nue. This film was directed by the brilliant French surrealist, Jean Rollin.
What is this scene about? To be honest, what it’s about is less important than how it looks and how it makes you feel. As a director, Jean Rollin specialized in bringing dreams and nightmare to cinematic life. (That said, as surreal as this scene may be, it’s actually one of the more straight forward moments to be found in Rollin’s filmography.)
And really, that’s the way it should be. The whole appeal of the grindhouse was that it existed on the fringes. The grindhouse was not a part of the establishment. The grindhouse had no desire to be a part of the establishment.
That said, here are six grindhouse films that I think could and perhaps should have been nominated for best picture:
I Drink Your Blood (1970)
This film is about what happens when a group of already odd hippie Satanists get infected with rabies. It’s perhaps one of the best examinations of the culture war ever filmed. In the role of Horace Bones, Bhaskar Roy Chowdhury gives one of the most arrestingly strange performances of all time.
Literally one of the greatest films of all time. Now, I’m not saying that American Hippie would have won. 1972 was the year of The Godfather, Cabaret, and Deliverance. But surely, a nomination could have been arranged. “You fools. You fools. Stop pushing buttons. You fools…”
Agck! This crime thriller still freaks me out. And that ending … OH MY GOD! The Sting may be good but The Candy Snatchers sticks with you forever.
4. They Call Her One-Eye (1973)
The Candy Snatchers wasn’t the only great grindhouse film to be released in 1973. Why nominate A Touch of Class (has anyone ever watched — or heard of — this nominee?) when you could nominate They Call Her One-Eye?
This French classic, from director Jean Rollin, never got a U.S. release so technically, it was not eligible to be nominated for Best Picture. But what about Best Foreign Language Film?
This October, I’m going to be doing something a little bit different with my contribution to 4 Shots From 4 Films. I’m going to be taking a little chronological tour of the history of horror cinema, moving from decade to decade.
This October, I’m going to be doing something a little bit different with my contribution to 4 Shots From 4 Films. I’m going to be taking a little chronological tour of the history of horror cinema, moving from decade to decade.
Today, we start the savage 70s!
4 Shots From 4 Films
The Shiver of the Vampires (1970, dir by Jean Rollin)
The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971, dir by Robert Fuest)
The Last House On The Left (1972, dir by Wes Craven)
This October, I’m going to be doing something a little bit different with my contribution to 4 Shots From 4 Films. I’m going to be taking a little chronological tour of the history of horror cinema, moving from decade to decade.
Today, we finish off the 1960s!
4 Shots From 4 Films
Even The Wind is Scared (1967, dir by Carlos Enrique Taboada)
4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films is all about letting the visuals do the talking.
Through the Shattered Lens 