Tale of a Vampire (1993)

Admirable film.

A Disappointing Continuation

A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

I will repeat what other reviewers have said about this movie before me: if you expect action,horror,gore and sex in the type of Blade or Underworld, don't watch it, because you will be disappointed. This is an "art" movie, directed by a Japanese director, which means that there is little dialog, the plot is very simple, on the limit of boring to some viewers, and that the movie will try to convey to you the feelings of the main characters through a unique filming technique,the lightning, the camera angles and the general atmosphere of the movie. From this point of view this movie is a small masterpiece, describing to perfection the never ending sadness and pain of an immortal and indestructible creature. I have never understood so well a vampire character, nor felt so deeply for one as in this movie. Interview with a vampire came really close, but it lacked the superb atmosphere of Tale of a vampire. What does one have to live for if one has lost the most precious thing in one's life? And how excruciating is it to know that you are condemned to live on, forever, with this pain. It is what Alex, the vampire, is feeling, and the acting from Julian Sands is superb. Suzanne Hamilton is Anne, a woman who has also lost someone dear, and a very complex character to my eyes. Although she barely speaks, you understand that she is brave, lonely, kind, understanding, warm, balancing between despair and hope. The destinies of Anne and Alex cross each other due to the mysterious character Edgar, a reference to the poet and writer Edgar Allan Poe. The movie reflects a lot the sad and tragic atmosphere of his poems, as Anne's and Alex's fate begin to unfold. Fantastic vampire movie! p.s. *major spoiler alert!!!* for those who do not understand why that little girl falls from the sky with a sword in her, it's Edgar's doing to incriminate Alex and force him to kill the witnesses. Edgar has a sword, remember? Also, it looks to me as if Edgar is responsible for the death of Anna's fiancé too since he's at the scene of the car accident in the very first scene. He planned it all to bring these 2 together and have his revenge on Alex.

I enjoyed this film. It has a dreamy quality to it and has an element of mystery. The design is nicely evocative and the pacing is almost languid. If this is the intention then bravo, because it perfectly captures what Alex, the titular vampire, must feel through the century plus of his undead life. Night after night of ceaseless existence which must be filled with stimulation and not just the stimulus of hunting humans. It captures the loneliness that such a creature, still endowed with all the normal feelings that he once knew in his human life, must endure. In fact, it captures this better than "Interview With A Vampire" does.If you seek a bloodbath, look elsewhere. This is a vampire film about longing and despair and well worth a viewing.

I have to admit that Julian Sands is one of my favorites, and it was the strength of Mr. Sands in the title role that was my draw to film. It was a very atmospheric piece with some of the most haunting scenes that I can remember in a movie.All of the three principals in the film did an excellent job! I liked the plot a lot. The movie kept you wondering who the love interest was. You wondered if she was immortal. The twist ending was unexpected, but on a second watching, the director did insert clues throughout the film.It was not quite the Sixth Sense, but Tale of a Vampire did it better than most movies do.

This film isn't about plot or dialogue so much as it is about angles, style and lighting technique. The plot moves slowly so the watcher can enjoy the express talents of the director's shot choices.Julian Sands is riveting, capturing the personality of a slightly deranged vampire riddled with heartache and centuries of guilt, while Suzanna Hamilton portrays a woman beside her own wits with grief. The shift between plotlines is especially brilliant when they collide with present moments in time.I would recommend this movie to anyone who can appreciate a good art film.