Customer Reviews

Vampires in Havana [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Vampires in Havana," written and directed by Juan Padron, is a marvelous animated horror-comedy. The version I have seen is in Spanish, with English subtitles. The story revolves around a vampire scientist who has invented a formula--"Vampisol"--that gives vampires immunity from the deadly rays of the sun. The professor's nephew Joseph, who is the successful "guinea pig" for the experimental formula, finds himself in the middle of a war between rival vampire factions that have an interest in Vampisol.

Bawdy, outrageous, and witty, "Vampires in Havana" effectively spoofs the conventions of vampire films while, at the same time, creating a marvelously multilayered portrait of an international vampire subculture. Artificial indoor vampire beaches, vampire dogs, and other wacky elements are effectively blended into the plot. Capitalistic greed and authoritarian violence are cleverly satirized in the film. Excellent vocal performances, a terrific musical soundtrack, and a charmingly crude animation technique all add to the film's appeal. If you're in the mood for something really offbeat, check out this film.

"Vampiros en La Habana" is among the funniest movies I've seen. The plot, the language, and the music are remarkable. I have seen it about 10 times and will now buy the video, it is an absolute must!! The characters are candid, witty, downright hilarious at times, and adorable. Don't hesitate, go see it!! get it!! whatever, just don't miss it!

Wolfgang Amadeus von Dracula has discovered a formula that will allow vampires everywhere to enjoy the sunlight by day. Wolfgang knows that his formula is successful because he has given it to his nephew for many years and the sunlight does not harm him. The nephew, Pepe, doesn't know he is a vampire. Because Pepe is liberated to enjoy the sunlight, he thinks nothing of enjoying his life as an individual (he is a trumpet player with healthy sexual appetite) and as a revolutionary, a member of a group intent on assassinating a right-wing general. He is, in effect, socialism's "new man."

It is significant that Pepe doesn't initially know he is a vampire. By not knowing his origin, he is able to lead his life unaware and unaffected by the personal nature that the formula transforms. Wolfgang (who is in some respects like Marx) intends to make the formula available to all vampires free of charge. The lack of the formula keeps vampires longing for the ability to enjoy sunlight as well as dependent on wealthy elite vampires who provide them with artificial sunlight for a hefty price. In short, the vampires are not truly liberated but must accept bastardized versions of true freedom

Wolfgang's offer to socialize the formula becomes the occasion for the audience to see the true nature of the vampires. Rival vampire syndicates battle each other and with Pepe and Wolfgang to control the formula. The syndicates (representing competing capitalist elite groups) are composed of two factions: one that wishes to repress knowledge of the formula altogether (thus preserving the status quo as well as their financial interests as peddlers of artificial daytime tropical beaches) and another that wishes to merchandize the formula to vampires for profit. In the end, Pepe broadcasts the formula by radio to all vampires, reminiscent of Castro's radio broadcasts to Cubans near the end of the Batista dictatorship.

This animated film is a must see.

For those of you who speak Spanish you might find the English subtitles a little bothersome when they interfere with the animated charater's faces. The DVD menu does not allow you to take them off and they are not set to be all the way down at the bottom of the screen. Other than that, it is a very enjoyable piece of work from director Juan Padron.

Me acuerdo muy bien del dia que vi esta pelicula en Cuba por los años 1985 o 1986, yo tenia unos 11 o 12 años de edad. Fuí al cine con un grupo de amigos a verla, casi nos morimos de la risa de lo tan comica que estaba la pelicula, estubimos casi todo el tiempo riendonos. Muy buena pelicula animada cubana acerca de 'vampiros' y no vampiros que vivian en la Habana por los años 1950s. "Vampiros en la Habana" es una pelicula muy comica y divertida con el humor y chispa cubana a todo meter.
La recomiendo a todo cubano en general y a todo caribeño. Y a todo el mundo que se quiera mear de la risa.

Although it has usually been pretty hard to find, this is a must-see for animation enthusiasts. A young jazz player, caught up in the Cuban revolution, has grown up unaware that he is, in fact, a vampire. He soon gets caught between opposing clans of European and American vampires, giving Juan Padron the opportunity to spoof virtually every ethnicity he can think of. The sheer whackiness of it all, combined with the strikingly original animation style and hot Latin jazz soundtrack, keeps the stereotyping from offending most. However, this is NOT a movie for staunch anti-communists. Not for kids either. If you're neither of the above, this is some highly entertaining stuff.

This movie is very good you must see it right now,go and buy one and enjoy every minute of it.Very creative and funny.

Watch this after the kiddies are in bed. The plot is strange. Vampires in America (Chicago) and Europe (Düsseldorf) try to gain control over a product that can allow vampires to be out in the sun. The vampires are like old time gangsters. And the war zone is in Havana where the product was made. The professor who made it has a nephew he experimented on who doesn't know yet that he is a vampire. He becomes front and center in the struggle of control of the product. His uncle wanted all the vampires to have the potion free.

The music is fun. Latin and Bop jazz. The animation reminds me a little bit of "Yellow Submarine" but not psychedelic. It is in Spanish so if you don't like subtitles you won't enjoy this film.

Thanks to Amazon, this masterpiece can be finally bought at a reasonable price. What I find fascinating about the movie is the way they have created a pro-communist cartoon that uses the symbolism of the vampire myth to create a strong anti imperialist message. Great for comparing with Disney movies and wacky as hell.

Es un encanto de historia, los personajes, la historia, el humos todo es insuperable.

Lo malo de esta versión son los subtítulos en inglés, lamentablemente no se pueden ocultar, y el sonido un poco bajo de calidad.