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On this day in 1988 (in West Germany), flesh was on the menu once again for the theatrical release of Vampire In Venice (aka Nosferatu a Venezia). Directed by Augusto Caminito and Klaus Kinski, the film starred Kinski alongside Barbara De Rossi, Yorgo Voyagis, Anne Knecht, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Professor Paris Catalano visits Venice, to investigate the last known appearance of the famous vampire Nosferatu during the carnival of 1786."
-- EZ
On this day in 1988 (in West Germany), flesh was on the menu once again for the theatrical release of Vampire In Venice (aka Nosferatu a Venezia). Directed by Augusto Caminito and Klaus Kinski, the film starred Kinski alongside Barbara De Rossi, Yorgo Voyagis, Anne Knecht, and others.
According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Professor Paris Catalano visits Venice, to investigate the last known appearance of the famous vampire Nosferatu during the carnival of 1786."
-- EZ
From Google.com:
Vampire in Venice (1988), also known as Nosferatu in Venice and Prince of the Night, is an Italian horror film notorious for its troubled production and the erratic behavior of its lead actor, Klaus Kinski. An unofficial sequel to Werner Herzog's 1979 film Nosferatu the Vampyre, it stars Kinski reprising his role as the vampire alongside Christopher Plummer and Donald Pleasence. The final result is a confusing, incoherent, yet visually striking film with more interest stemming from its chaotic creation than its narrative.
Plot summary
The film follows Professor Paris Catalano (Christopher Plummer), an expert on vampirism, who travels to Venice to hunt the infamous vampire Nosferatu (Klaus Kinski). He believes Nosferatu is tired of his eternal life and is seeking a way to die.
Catalano is summoned by the beautiful Princess Helietta (Barbara De Rossi), who believes the vampire is buried in her family's basement. After a séance is performed, Nosferatu is awakened and begins his hunt in Venice. The vampire fixates on Helietta, who he believes is the reincarnation of his long-lost love, and seeks to be with her so he can find eternal peace through death.
Notorious production
Vampire in Venice is legendary for its disastrous and chaotic production, which involved multiple fired directors and a hostile lead actor.
Reception
The critical consensus is that Vampire in Venice is a cinematic mess, though some find it to be an "interesting failure" due to its moody atmosphere.
Vampire in Venice (1988), also known as Nosferatu in Venice and Prince of the Night, is an Italian horror film notorious for its troubled production and the erratic behavior of its lead actor, Klaus Kinski. An unofficial sequel to Werner Herzog's 1979 film Nosferatu the Vampyre, it stars Kinski reprising his role as the vampire alongside Christopher Plummer and Donald Pleasence. The final result is a confusing, incoherent, yet visually striking film with more interest stemming from its chaotic creation than its narrative.
Plot summary
The film follows Professor Paris Catalano (Christopher Plummer), an expert on vampirism, who travels to Venice to hunt the infamous vampire Nosferatu (Klaus Kinski). He believes Nosferatu is tired of his eternal life and is seeking a way to die.
Catalano is summoned by the beautiful Princess Helietta (Barbara De Rossi), who believes the vampire is buried in her family's basement. After a séance is performed, Nosferatu is awakened and begins his hunt in Venice. The vampire fixates on Helietta, who he believes is the reincarnation of his long-lost love, and seeks to be with her so he can find eternal peace through death.
Notorious production
Vampire in Venice is legendary for its disastrous and chaotic production, which involved multiple fired directors and a hostile lead actor.
- Multiple directors: Augusto Caminito is credited as the director, but multiple others, including Luigi Cozzi and Mario Caiano, were either fired or quit during filming.
- Kinski's behavior: Klaus Kinski clashed constantly with the crew. He refused to wear the makeup from the Herzog film and insisted on shooting scenes only during the pre-dawn "magic hour," resulting in footage of him simply wandering the streets.
- Sexual assault allegations: Severin Films' documentary Creation is Violent (included on their Blu-ray release) recounts allegations of Kinski's predatory behavior on set. An actress stated that Kinski sexually assaulted her during a love scene.
Reception
The critical consensus is that Vampire in Venice is a cinematic mess, though some find it to be an "interesting failure" due to its moody atmosphere.
- Visually striking: The on-location cinematography in Venice is widely praised for its gloomy, atmospheric quality.
- Incoherent plot: The narrative is confusing and convoluted, a likely result of the constant rewrites and changes in direction.
- Art-house sensibilities: The slow pace and focus on atmosphere over traditional horror thrills make the film feel like a failed attempt at art-house cinema.
- Wasted cast: Critics feel the talented cast, including Plummer and Pleasence, were wasted on a poor script and chaotic set.
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