The Nude Vampire

v

source: The Nude Vampire

La vampire nue

Jean Rollin artistic nonsense about vampires, aliens and the quest for immortality. The women are beautiful and the photography stunning. The dialog is inane. Its a laughable mess. Great to look at but as any semblance of a horror film or thriller purely awful. I'm trying to figure out if we're suppose to be scared or not. At the same time is it a put on or not? Its an odd mix of art film and horror that never quite meshes and while its nice to look at it never seems to "mean" anything, and its by no means scary even if the occasional shot or sequence creates a moment of frisson Its well made pretentious twaddle. Something to leave on in the background as a living wall paper for those who like naked women.

THE NUDE VAMPIRE (1970, original title La vampire nue) is Jean Rollin's second feature-length film as director and his first in colour. I've seen some of his later work but it didn't prepare me for this deeply bizarre and surrealist collection of imagery in search of a plot. It begins with a young woman in a sheer dress being pursued through the streets at night by masked figures and just gets odder and odder from there. There's little vampirism here, just an experimental test subject, alongside diverse plot elements: futuristic mutants, aristocratic conspiracies, suicide cults and a young man trying to solve the mystery of his own father's doings. I wondered what on earth I was viewing for long sections and found much of it quite tiresome. Very little horror or atmosphere too, with Rollin's main focus (as always) being on acres of * female flesh.

I've been watching a lot of so- called "B" rated vampire flicks over the last few weeks. This one is by far the oldest one which does not necessarily count the vamp as the bad guy. Although traditionally it doesn't really give the vamp much credit either. Don't let the name fool ya... The French were never one for outstanding creativity... just good art. The "Nude" part of the title held me back from this one for awhile. Mostly because my kids are always watching movies with me. Even still, it was very tasteful, and I would not keep this treasure from anyone. I loved the dramatics. the settings were nice, almost Shakespearian. Overall this was a pretty awesome movie. Considering most vamp flicks don't do the "Not so bad" thing until Anne Rice. Way to go Jean.

I started watching this movie by accident. I found that even with a sub par plot, minimal acting, and terrible effects this movie was a sexplotation delight. It was like a weird Bjork video but with better looking women. It was extremely subtly sexy and the framing and cinematography was superb. Considering the director had a cruddy plot, he worked wonders. The opening scene was odd, yet very well done. If you like watching sexy Euro women walking around scantly clad, and getting undressed for no apparent reason, creep yet sexy twins, and a very modest attempt at making something different, you will like this addition to the cheap horror movie genre.

A man named Pierre (Olivier Rollin) tries to uncover the strange goings-on at his father's chateau, involving a suicide cult, and a woman with a rare blood condition. After barely escaping death, Pierre gives his father 48 hours to explain what the hell is really happening. Director Jean Rollin's THE NUDE VAMPIRE is a mostly absurdist film, loaded with odd characters, crazy costumes, unexplained events, and an atmosphere of lunacy. The story makes sense only when viewed through its own lens. Rollin has created a secret, dream-like underworld, where mysteries abound and rationality takes a seat in third class. It's best to simply enjoy the surreal imagery, weird intrigue, and the overall crackpot presentation. Oh yes, there's also a vampire woman running around...

Bizarre vampire/sex fantasy about rich brat Martin, who stumbles upon secret bourgeois-like society, which conducts secret perverse ceremonies in a mansion rented by his father. Let me say, this is a prime example of style over substance. While I am sure there is substance here (most of which does not make any sense), that is overshadowed by colorful costumes, strange alien vampires and just an array of unpredictable moments -- many connected in some way to * women. Best part of the movie? The chicks falling down the stairs. While one twin takes it pretty seriously, the other one is determined to reach the bottom step, even if she has to keep pushing herself. Sure, it does not look natural, but it got me chuckling a little.

From the title and the opening sequence of 'La Vampire Nue' it looks like you're in for a dreamlike erotic nudie vampire flick ala Jess Franco (which is not a bad thing mind you!). Very quickly though it metamorphoses into something more complex, and difficult to categorize. The mysterious and sensual title character played by Caroline Cartier actually has very little to do on screen, but is the key to the mysterious events involving scientists studying immortality, and a surreal suicide cult. A young man discovers his father is somehow involved in a secret society who favour animal masks and (apparent) murder. When he investigates he finds that not everything is as it seems, and that the enigmatic, mute beauty at the centre of it may hold the key to the future of mankind's evolution. A very strange, poetic and unique piece of 60s exploitation, quite unlike any other. I was fascinated by the whole thing. Highly recommended to fans of the offbeat and unusual.