Jack MacGowran, Roman Polanski, Alfie Bass

A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.

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79% liked it

8,535 ratings

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66% liked it

29 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: Roman Polanski

Release Date: November 13, 1967

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DVD Release Date: October 5, 2004

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Flixster Reviews (592)


  • June 18, 2008
    Professor Abronsius (Jack MacGowran, The Exorcist) and his assistant Alfred (director Roman Polanksi) are searching for the castle of Count Von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne), a vampire whose minions are quickly wiping out the population of a quiet Transylvanian village. Arriving at an in...( read more)n run by Shagal (Alfie Bass) and his wife Rebecca (Jessie Rubins), the two vampire hunters are promptly told there is no castle in the vicinity, nor have there been any strange occurrences or instances of people suddenly disappearing. On the second night of their stay, Alfred peeks in on the Shagals' daughter, Sarah (Sharon Tate, Valley of the Dolls), as she takes a bath. Von Krolock suddenly enters the inn through a skylight, bites Sarah, and whisks her away. Shagal gives chase, but he soon vanishes; his frozen body is recovered the next morning, riddled with bite marks and completely drained of blood. The professor tells Rebecca the only way to save her husband's soul is by driving a stake through his heart, but she refuses. Abronsius and Alfred take it upon themselves to perform the deed, but before they can strike, the now-vampiric innkeeper arises and attempts to attack the inn's maid (Fiona Lewis). Shagal is eventually driven off, after which Abronsius and Alfred set off for Von Krolock's keep. They are welcomed by the Count, who knows who they are and why they have come. Alfred finds Sarah, who tells him of the ball being held in the castle, at which Sarah, Abronsius, and Alfred will be the vampire's next victims. Polanski's deft mix of humor and horror, is evident from the opening credits, animated in black and dripping red, against a blue, mottled background, to the backward tracking shot that reveals an almost limitless snow and ice-covered landscape, lit only by moonlight. The audience is immediately aware of an eerie, Brothers Grimm-like world, a world one tempered by a knowing, mocking sense of humor, as evident in the punchline to the narrator's description. In addition to a well-informed familiarity with genre conventions, influenced by then current Hammer Studio gothic horror films, Polanski and his co-writer, occasional collaborator Gerard Brach obtain humor from multiple sources, including the continually frustrated libidos of the main characters, the downtrodden Jewish innkeeper, Herbert's unwanted amorous affections (which leads to a foot chase around the castle's courtyard), the bumbling, fearful protagonists, and two tension-rich scenes featuring mirrors and vampires.
  • March 20, 2008
    Dated but humorous vampire tale with Polanski and Sharon Tate in the lead roles
  • December 11, 2007
    Imagine a Hammer Horror version of Scooby Doo written & Directed by Roman Polanski

    Did I mention Sharon Tate?

    Yaozaa!
  • October 23, 2007
    slap-stick comedy is not Polanski's forte but he manages to combine a sultry dark mood, a witty mise-en-scène, great performances and an insanely good soundtrack. Nostalgia and affection is what I feel for this film and for the gorgeous Sharon Tate, before her tragic fate, rest i...( read more)n peace.
  • June 5, 2007
    Uneven vampire comedy from Roman Polanski that has some great moments, but can also drag horribly in between. It's probably the first attempt at the deconstruction of the whole vampire legend that I can think of, and as such has a certain curiosity value. The progenitor every vam...( read more)pire comedy since, from Mr Vampire to Buffy.
  • November 8, 2009
    Un savoureux mélange de comédie et d'horreur
  • October 28, 2009
    One of Polanski´s greatest achievements. This film mixes horror and comedy to great effect.
  • October 10, 2009
    Funny parts, but not nearly funny enough for what
    they were trying to do.
  • September 18, 2009
    Funny and memorable early Polanski film. Can't be missed.

    75/100
  • September 13, 2009
    This is a very under-rated comedy. After her death Sharon Tate was given star billing, but sh'e not in the film very much, but when she does appear on screen, she radiates that something special. The film is shot with awesome angles and with some picturesque scenery. Highly recom...( read more)mended!

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The Fearless Vamp... : Watch Free on TV


The Fearless Vampire Killers, or Pardon Me but Your Teeth Are in My Neck Trivia

The Fearless Vampire Killers, or ... Trivia


  • Vampire hunter Prof. Ambronsius & his assistant Roman Polanski travel to Transylvania to destroy vampires & find beautiful vampire Sharon Tate?  Answer »
  • T/F: Dance of the Vampires is also known (in the USA) as: The Fearless Vampire Killers or: Pardon Me But Your Teeth Are In My Neck (1967) ?  Answer »

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