The Vampires (in case you are stupid)
Wow, that was exhausting. In case you did not know, this movie is a total of 440 minutes long. And it is silent. My theory is that even if you are totally into the movie's plot and characters you cannot continue to enjoy yourself for that long of a time period. That is not to say this movie was not interesting, but it was a little hard to swallow.
This movie is about a gang of criminals called Les Vampires who pretty much go around looking hot in black leotards (definitely my outfit of choice if I was working against the law). There is also this "hottie" named Irma Vep who I think kind of looks like a wild animal. The movie (s?!?) is divided into ten parts which have everything from secret panels to executions. A must watch even if you do it over several months.
RATING: ***-- (it is the length that makes it hard to watch)
Interesting Facts:
The aforementioned Irma Vep, played by Musidora (who you know is glamorous because she has one name) was considered quite the dish, and was made famous by this film.
Musidora was an acrobat who did her own stunts.
The next movie on the list is over three hours long. Yay...
I want to say that this seems way too long for me to sit and watch, but you advise seeing it...hmmm...I think I will put it on my life list and keep it in mind.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteThis was one of the first what i called 'discoveries' - films I would never have watched if I hadn't been 'told to' by the book.
I was bowled over by it.. I had the first disc from Lovefilm (UK movies by post supplier), and was so caught by the thing I bought the set.. and then the same guy's 'Fantomas' series. (Similar idea, but not quite as good)
As you say, all that length is terrifying - at first- but as i watched it bit by bit,, huge fun.
Ray
Hey Ray!
DeleteLooking at my earlier posts makes me cringe somewhat; I didn't really have a lot of confidence in my arguments so I wrote in a really sloppy and rushed manner.
This is definitely one of those movies that I never would have watched or even heard of without the book. But it was exciting (I am sure the idea of a 1915 film being exciting would blow most people's minds)/
Oh I'm sure it would. To an extent, me too before starting this expedition. I have made many discoveries, and appreciating silents has been one of them. BB (before book), about the only silents i was aware of were the obvious.. Birth of a nation and Battleship Potemkin). One I loved, the other.. not so much (go on, guess which is which from this aging European pinko) - Oh, and Metropolis. Now I have quite a collection that I've volunteered to watch.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of, or seen, a film called 'Irma Vep', about the making of - or rather the star being in it (played by Maggie Cheung). I was rather dissapointed with it.
Ray
I have not seen that and I guess that is a good thing since you think it is disappointing. You have definitely earned my trust with recommendations.
DeleteYes, this series is surprisingly interesting. I had to brace myself going into this one, but ended up enjoying it. Cannot say I understood everything going on and I think the writers were just winging it at some point, but I got the general idea.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note I was wondering how you have experienced going down the list chronologically? I love the idea of watching the media and the world around it develop, but I get the impression that most bloggers prefer to shop around on the list.
Yes, I have only been able to find one blog that goes chronologically too, but they quit around the 400 mark. I love doing the films in order. I feel like I am learning more about movies that way and picking up on things I normally wouldn't have. I really feel immersed in whatever decade I am in and can think "hmm they wouldn't have gotten away with that two years ago..."
DeleteI find myself so switched off by modern films. It feels like I'm just going to watched the same film over and over again. Going through all the old films is so refreshing. Even if they're not new, to me they are. Movies are never like real life, but at least the movie-speak and movie-behaviour is all new.
DeleteI'm glad people here are liking The Vampires. I read another blog on the list which held it up as one of the very worst of all.
DeleteIt's gloriously silly nonsense! I loved it. The other blogger seemed to have tried to watch it all in one sitting, which was a mistake. It certainly wasn't designed to be seen that way.
Hello to Dessie.. Thank you foe being another supporter of 'Les Vampires' As you will have seen above, I really rank this as a discovery, and so glad I did.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see another dogged follower, along with TS and Rachel digging up the oldies. With Amanda, also chronological, being well into the 80's by now, for me the best has gone, so people like you, starting conversations again is the be highly welcomed.
They tried to watch it in one sitting? Well that will ruin any long piece! I am glad too Ray although I am not sure I can ever defend badly written reviews from five years ago!
ReplyDelete