The Vampire Film: Undead Cinema

by Jeffrey Andrew Weinstock

This introductory volume offers an elegant analysis of the enduring appeal of the cinematic vampire. From Georges Méliès' early cinematic experiments to Twilight and Let the Right One In , the history of vampires in cinema can be organized by a handful of governing principles that help make sense of this movie monster's remarkable fecundity. Among these principles are that the cinematic vampire is invariably about sex and the vexed human relationship with technology, and that the vampire is always an overdetermined body condensing what a culture considers other. This volume includes in-depth studies of films including Powell's A Fool There Was , Franco's Vampyros Lesbos , Cronenberg's Rabid , Kümel's Daughters of Darkness , and Merhige's Shadow of the Vampire .

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Vampires, Horror, Cultural, Gothic

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2012

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas and connections, but lacking in some areas and downright wrong in some others (the suggestion that Theda Bara was the first film vamp, for one). An okay starting-off point for research, and might point students in some neat directions, but ultimately the book's best point is that it cites a number of better and more worthwhile texts to pursue.

[Sophie Angell · Rating 3 out of 5]

good but needed a better editor

[Paul Beecher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Understanding that it's an intro does not make it worth the time or the money. For a few dollars more get a full length study, such as The Vampire Film (which also has hundreds of full-color illustrations), that covers all the same ground but more exhaustively.

[Steen Ledet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that the Short Cuts series is meant to serve as an introduction and textbook bridge to a specific subject, but I can't help but be disappointed with Weinstock's book. Although it has some great insights, they are never really developed, depth of analysis instead giving way for critical summaries of a wide range of films. However, instead of fully bringing out the richness of the subject (which the other Short Cuts books I've read do), this book collapses all vampire films into desire, technology, and difference. Too simplistic.