Watch Grave of the Vampire

Grave of the Vampire is a horror movie from 1972, directed by John Hayes and starring William Smith, Michael Pataki, and Lyn Peters. It tells the story of a young woman, Diana Love (played by Peters), who is raped by a vampire on the night of her wedding. The product of this heinous act is a son, James (Smith), who is born a vampire. When James reaches adulthood, he sets out to find and kill his father, vowing revenge for what he did to his mother.

The movie begins with a sinister opening sequence featuring eerie music and a graveyard at night. The first thing the audience sees is a group of men digging up a coffin, which they open to reveal the body of a vampire. This sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is dark and macabre. The audience is introduced to Diana, a beautiful young woman who is about to marry a man named Paul. He adores her, and they are a happy couple. However, their happiness is short-lived, as she is attacked by a vampire on the night of their wedding.

The scene where Diana is raped by the vampire is particularly disturbing, as it is suggested that the act is as much sexual as it is violent. The audience is left feeling disturbed and uncomfortable. Diana becomes pregnant, and it is clear from the start that her child is not an ordinary one. James is born with sharp fangs and a strange, otherworldly appearance. His mother is repulsed by him, and he grows up feeling like an outcast.

As James reaches adulthood, he begins to crave blood and learns that his father may still be alive. He sets out on a quest to find him, taking revenge on anyone who stands in his way. Along the way, he meets a woman named Helene, played by Judith McConnell, who tries to help him. Helene is attracted to James, even though she knows he is a vampire, and this sets up some interesting conflict within the story.

The film takes on a supernatural twist when James discovers the truth about his father's identity. It turns out that his father is a sort of vampire god, who can only be defeated by a stake made from a tree that has been struck by lightning. James sets out to find this stake, and the audience is taken on a wild journey through dark alleys and creepy graveyards.

Throughout the film, the acting is solid, especially from William Smith, who plays James. He portrays him as conflicted and tormented, which adds depth to the character. Michael Pataki is also notable as the detective who is investigating the murders that James leaves in his wake. He provides some comic relief to the otherwise dark story.

The film's cinematography is also impressive, with many scenes shot in a way that adds to the sense of unease. The use of shadows, fog, and dimly lit locations all contribute to the overall creepy atmosphere. The special effects, while not cutting edge by modern standards, are still effective in conveying the supernatural aspects of the story.

Overall, Grave of the Vampire is a chilling horror movie that is not for the faint of heart. It deals with mature themes and contains graphic violence, including sexual violence. However, for fans of the horror genre, it is worth checking out for its solid acting, creepy atmosphere, and engaging storyline.

Grave of the Vampire is a 1972 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.