Planet of the Vampires

UPC: 027616865649

Studio: MGM

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:[Questionable for Children]

Summary: This classic blend of science-fiction and horror belies its extremely low budget with buckets of atmosphere and some genuinely creepy setpieces. The story concerns the crews of two spaceships, who land on a foggy, seemingly deserted planet. What they don't know is that the planet was home to a race of vampiric aliens, who possess their minds, eventually rising from their strange, misty graves to seek human blood. Legendary director Mario Bava once again proves himself a master at atmospheric composition, using color, sound, and minimalistic sets in original and unnerving ways. Barry Sullivan stars with Angel Aranda and Brazilian actress Norma Bengell. The American version, running several minutes shorter than the original, was put together by Ib Melchior (The Angry Red Planet). ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Category: Science Fiction

Features: Original theatrical trailer
English: mono
French & Spanish language subtitles

Planet of the Vampires

Format: DVD

Release Date: 08/28/2001

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DD1 Dolby Digital Mono

Runtime: 88 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: French,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
0. Scene Selections
1. Main Title/Touchdown [10:06]
2. Is Everyone Crazy? [7:49]
3. "Urgent! Help Us!" [2:21]
4. "Killing Each Other?" [6:52]
5. "Keep A Sharp Watch!" [5:12]
6. Mind Control [6:06]
7. "Tell Me Who Did It!" [2:46]
8. Dead...Or Alive? [4:38]
9. Former Visitors [9:41]
10. Grave Concerns [3:02]
11. Body On Loan [2:56]
12. The Detonators [5:09]
13. "You Can't Harm Us!" [2:00]
14. Escape...or Not? [7:06]
15. "You're One Of Them!" [4:36]
16. Earthbound/Credits [4:47]

Derek Hill

Though not considered one of director Mario Bava's greatest achievements, Planet of the Vampires is nevertheless a pulp science-fiction lover's dream. Many of the director's stylistic trademarks are well represented here, from his extensive use of color filters to his imaginative camera shots and gothic horror preoccupations. At times, the film looks like a pulp cover come to life -- the garish primary- color glow of the alien landscape; the undead crewmen, wrapped in plastic, rising from their makeshift metal tombs; the discovery of the massive "vampire" skeletons inside the creatures' crashed spacecraft; and the crew wearing tight black leather uniforms with lightning bolt insignias on their chests. Bava makes the most out of his limited budget, giving the film a surreal pop art glow that puts many bigger productions to shame. Along with It! The Terror From Beyond Space (1958), this atmospheric sci-fi shocker would go on to influence Ridley Scott's big-budget B-movie, Alien (1979). ~ Derek Hill, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Alberto Cevenini  Actor 
Rick Boyd  Actor 
Samuel Z. Arkoff  Producer 
Mario Bava  Director 
Mario Bava  Screenwriter 
Alberto Bevilacqua  Screenwriter 
Louis M. Heyward  Screenwriter 
Fulvio Lucisano  Producer 
Ib Melchior  Screenwriter 
James H. Nicholson  Producer 
Antonio Perez Olea  Composer (Music Score) 
Antonio Román  Screenwriter 
Gino Marinuzzi, Jr.  Composer (Music Score) 
Callisto Cosulich  Screenwriter 
Rafael J. Salvia  Screenwriter 
Barry Sullivan  Actor 
Norma Bengell  Actor 
Angel Aranda  Actor 
Evi Marandi  Actor 
Fernando Villena  Actor 
Stelio Candelli  Actor 
Massimo Righi  Actor 
Mario Morales  Actor 
Ivan Rassimov  Actor 

Country: Italy,Spain