15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Somewhat Bloody, Mostly Moody, August 24, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Tale of a Vampire [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Set in contemporary London, England, "Tale of a Vampire" follows Ann (Suzanna Hamilton) and Alex (Julian Sands), two heartbroken strangers whose paths cross inside a large, archaic library where she works and he frequents. For Alex, Ann is the spitting image of his missing lover, Virginia (also played by Ms. Hamilton), who he had made into a vampire more than a century ago, but she has since vanished. To this day, he still misses her immensely and flashes back on her in a few scenes. As for Ann, she finds herself irrepressibly drawn towards Alex, despite the ominous warnings of a stranger, Edgar (Kenneth Cranham), who follows both Ann and Alex around with shady motives. It's not until the very end of the movie that his well-kept secret is revealed.
I thought "Tale of a Vampire" was really quite good (particularly the ending), even though I had relied on only a handful of reviews to convince me to buy the movie first before renting it, which, in most cases, leaves me quite disappointed when I do do that. But in this case, I was pleasantly surprised. There is plenty of violence and bloodletting in this movie to satiate any vampire hound, though no fangs are used. It may be a little too melancholy and subdued for more diehard blood-gore-and-sex viewers, but I would still highly recommend it to fans of tragic love stories. 4 ½ stars.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
all in all i was quite impressed with this film, July 12, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Tale of a Vampire [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Although the movie had some akward moments when the lines just didn't feel quite right, it did have something that most vampire flicks just don't have. It didn't feel like one big sex and gore fest. Whether entirely successful or not it did feel as though the movie was trying to say something and not just fill a theater. One thing i judge movies by is if they leave me thinking, this movie has remained rolling around my mind for several days now. All in all i would definitly recommend this if you are in the mood for a different sort of vampire movie.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshingly different vampyre fare, December 14, 2001
This review is from: Tale of a Vampire [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Firstly, I am a great fan of Julian Sands, so it was only a matter of time before I discovered this wonderful film. 'Tale of a Vampire' avoids the usual blood-'n'-guts stuff, instead we get a beautifully filmed Gothic romance, without fangs (yes, NO fangs!), or contact lenses. Naturally there is a fair amount of blood, but then what do you expect? Cranham's performance is equally brooding and dark, as the sinister Edgar, who's hunting Alex (Sands). However, the film gets a bit slow at times and it seems we are forever in the Library set of the film. Moody, gorgeous and with stygian quality, 'Tale of a Vampire' shouldn't be overlooked. The acting is well done and it's nice to see that the vampire isn't ALWAYS the monster of the story.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
