Customer Reviews

Subspecies

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Subspecies is the first in a four part movie series involving Radu, the baddest vampire in town. True, this is a Full Moon production, which equals cheesy horror, but it is definately cheesy horror in its very best form.

Radu is a vampire of the old school, he doesn't want to fit in with the living or find true love or apologize for what he is; he is a vampire and seems to be pretty taken with himself on that level. Our first introduction to Radu is when he kills his father in order to take possession of the Bloodstone, a vampire family heirloom that allows them to survive a long time without a fresh "meal", and gives them power by drinking from it.

Here also we meet the "subspecies", little creatures (make from claymation, not FX) that Radu creates by breaking off his own fingers. They become his tiny minions and assist him in taking the Bloodstone.

Meanwhile, three college girls arrive in Transylvania, and stay together at an old monastery nearby the broken remains of Radu's castle home. Also staying at the monastery is Radu's long estranged brother, Stefan. Radu and Stefan have no love for each other, though both seem to be attracted to the lovely Michele.

Girls get bit and girls scream, and there is a silly "Festival of the Dead" where everybody puts on paper-mache masks, a little bit of nudity, and in the end it all boils down to human vs vampire as do all good vampire flicks.

What makes Subspecies special is Radu himself. He is pasty white, has great fangs, long clawed hands, sleeps in a coffin, and drools...a LOT. He's also a very messy eater, and moves through the film with that bloody, slimy grin we have all grown to love.

In the end, Michele is the only one of the three girls left, and after Radu mixed his blood with hers, his brother Stefan "saves" her by biting her and turning her into a vampire also.

Lovely ending...but remember that there are three more movies...

So far, the first three Subspecies movies are only available as used VHS tapes, often costing a great deal of money. The fourth movie is already out on DVD, so hopefully the rest will be soon. Even on VHS, there is a nice "behind the scenes" feature at the end of the tape, along with previews of other Full Moon productions.

If you are a vampire purist, you should love this film. Enjoy!

I first saw this movie in 1998 when I was 11 years old. This was probably the smartest thing I have done my entire life. Since then I have seen the movie well over 30 times and I just wish that I owned it. As the movie starts out we see none other than horror icon himself-Angus Scrimm! It is at this point that we get our first glimpse of Radu. Radu is a Nine Hundred year old vampire who just can't seem to kill enough people and drink enough blood to satisfy his urges. This sets up the primary conflict for the film and its sequels. Radu is out to gain possession of the Blood Stone, an ancient relic that drips the blood of the saints. He kills his father to gain the Blood Stone and thus begins the film. Radu's half brother Stefan returns home to regain the throne of his father but realizes Radu has already done so. Stefan trys to gain control of the Blood Stone and also attempts to sheild 3 young beauties from Radu and his evil. Stefan falls in love with one of the young girls named Michelle, played by Laura Tate. Although Ms. Tate did an excellent job with the character of Michelle she just can't seem to measure up to he standard set by Denice Duff in the sequels. To say that this is one of my favorite movies would be an understatement. I simply cannot say enough good things about this film. Please for the love of god SEE THIS MOVIE! The sequels are just as good as the original unlike most horror movie series. Please re-release this Full Moon it is a million times better than the [stuff] you put out now.

This is the beginning of a series that you have to watch even though its full of every worn out story line and ridiculous dialog. There is nonetheless an appeal that compels you to go back and pick up every addition in the series. The premise is the good vampire Stefan battles his evil half brother Radu over the fate of the woman they both fell in love with. I think one of the biggest mistakes this series made was bumping off Stefan. He was a good contrast to Radu, whose character is fond of spouting worn out phrases like "my fledgling" to the point of being almost cartoon-like. Subspecies is a fun series in a comic-book vampire kind of way. I'd recommend it to diehard fans only.

http://www.fullmoondirect.com/DVDS/imports.html

You can purchase the DVD for 1 and 2 in Spanish versions for 20 bucks each. There is an option to turn off the spanish subtitles, so you get the english language version on DVD and don't have to pay a fortune for a sucky (pun intended) VHS copy that some creep is charging $150.00 for.

Now go get your SUBSPECIES! You bloodsuckers!

Now you can own the cool modern vampire film from Director Ted Nicholau on DVD!I have the whole series on VHS but I must have this ultimate DVD video.

This 1990 Full Moon Classic is about 3 young girls in Romania who fall victims to the Vampire Kingdom.The evil vampire Radu wants the girls to be his undead vampire slaves but the good vampire Stefan wants to kill his evil brother and save the girls from thier unholy fate.Who will regin supreme?YOU TELL ME!

Buy this DVD or VHS and be scared and on the edge of your seat adventure.
RATED R for nudity,violence and gore.

Although this isn't the greatest, or even one of the best-made horror films, it has a certain novelty that one can't deny. Because of this, "Subspecies" is one of my favorite horror flics. True vampire fans need to watch this if they want to see a plot that diverges from Anne Rice's sleek, and extremely attractive depiction of vampire men and women. Of course, this is not at all to say that "Interview With the Vampire," in conjunction with any of Anne Rice's vampire novels aren't any good. In fact, they're also some of my favorites.

Since a well-outlined synopsis of the film has already been given by several raters, I won't go into any summaries. The main character/bad guy Radu (played by European actor Anders Hove) is true to the original "Nosferatu" genre. He is creepy, irascible, and even a bit pitiable as the sequels to this film point out.

What I like about this film is the introduction of the Bloodstone, a mythical relic that is known to drip the blood of the saints. The Bloodstone is a family heirloom that originally belongs to Radu's father, the king of the vampires (played by "Phantasm's" Angus Scrimm). The movie starts off with Radu murdering his father and taking the Bloodstone by force.

Another unique characteristic of the movie and its sequels is Radu's use of "shadow flying." Radu is able to use this technique to go/move anywhere through the shadows. He also is able to sort of mutate and reproduce tiny "subspecies" versions of himself. Despite the film's low budget, along with the fact that the actual subspecie demons look very superficial, the actors do an incredible job. Finally, the film is shot in Romania/Transylvania within a real castle along with several ancient ruins. Thus, "Subspecies" is a must-see for real vampire lovers due to its originality and inherently unique qualities.

I loved this movie the minute I saw it. The location sites and atmosphere are great. The music sets the mood. I felt like I was actually there in Romania. The acting, well ok, not the greatest, and Radu's fingers could have been better. I would recommend this video to all Vampire movie lovers.

Deep within the heart of Transylvania, a dark power from the past has resurfaced, and three beautiful young research students are caught in the midst of a supernatural battle for control of the vampire kingdom.
Blood is the tie that binds between the good Stefan (MICHAEL WATSON) and the evil Radu (ANDERS HOVE), vampire brothers reunited by the death of their father, King Vlad (ANGUS SCRIMM). Radu creates an army of hellish creatures of the night-subspecies-to help him in his wicked quest. Stefan has love on his side as Michelle (LAURA TATE), one of the students, joins him in the desperate fight to save the kingdom from the terrifying rule of Radu.

I loved this movie from Full Moon Pictures.It's about a vampire coming back to his hometown.Radu manages to kill his father,the king and pocess the Bloodstone,and acient relic said to drip blood of the saints,a vampire who has the stone can live without killing,and gain power.Radu's brother Stefan and friend Karl find out that evil has returned.Meanwhile three beautiful young research students Michelle,Mara,and Lillian get caught up in the wave of vampires.Radu creates an army of -subspecies- to help him in his evil quest.Stefan has love at his side as Michelle helps him kill Radu.Who will gain power of the Bloodstone?Find out.A must see for all vampire and horror lovers.Graet music and cast. Stefan-Michael Watson Michelle-Laura Tate Radu-Anders Hove Lillian-Michelle McBride Mara-Irina Movila Ivan j.Rado-Karl Angus Scrimm-the king THE NIGHT HAS FANGS!

A classic vampire movie that has been underrated by many. A movie about two brothers who fight over the bloodstone that would give the owner the ability to not have to kill to stay alive. As the conflict between brothers gains momentum the budding of a love story between one of the brother's and a mortal woman named Michelle begins to blossom she is turned into a vampire by the end of the movie and goes into the end of the 1st part of a 4 movie story as his lover.