Planet of the Vampires (1965)

Italian horror master Mario Bava brought his considerable skills to bear on this hypnotic genre hybrid, creating one of the most eerily atmospheric science fiction films ever made. A spaceship is lured to a mysterious planet, where members of its crew are slaughtered, and their bodies possessed by a near-extinct alien race--a minimalist plot, to be sure, but in the hands of Bava and cinematographer Antonio Rinaldi, Planet of the Vampires (the best-known of this film's many titles) is a near-masterpiece of style over substance. The simplest sets and backdrops are composed with a perfect eye for perspective and color, with sensible spaceship design and memorable costumes that look like they sprang from the futuristic fantasies of an S&M biker gang. Performances are secondary but effectively low-key, serving to enhance Bava's painterly use of matte work and miniatures. With a surprise twist ending, POTV is an essential addition to anyone's sci-fi collection. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Decent but outdone by the original Star Trek and "Alien"

Although this 1965 film is an Italian production, directed by the famed Mario Bava, it was released by American International and stars American Barry Sullivan as the captain and main protagonist. Its original Italian title is (translated) "Terror in Space," which is better than the American title "Planet of the Vampires" (also "Demon Planet") seeing as how there are no blood-sucking vampires anywhere to be seen.

THE STORY: Barry Sullivan commands a spaceship that goes to a strange unknown planet in response to a distress call from another ship. They soon discover that the creepy planet is home to incorporeal aliens who desire their bodies and ship to leave the planet.

Although "Terror in Space" came out a year before the original Star Trek appeared on television, both the film and Star Trek borrow heavily from concepts introduced in the ground-breaking "Forbidden Planet" (1956). It should be noted that "Terror in Space" did not technically come before Star Trek since the first Trek pilot episode "The Cage" was filmed in 1964. And the second pilot "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was filmed at about the same time as "Terror" in 1965.

POSITIVES: I've heard a lot of good things about this film over the years, in particular the ultra-cool black leather uniforms with nazi-like emblems and the atmospheric creepiness of the planet, and was not disappointed.

In addition, the film features two women -- a redhead and a blond -- as prominent figures in the crew of the spacecraft, a notable thing for 1965 (although keep in mind that Gene Roddenberry featured a female first officer in "The Cage" a year before). Both of these women are stunningly beautiful, enhanced by the black leather uniforms.

Although the film borrows heavily from "Forbidden Planet" its story is original and innovative. So much so, in fact, that Ridley Scott's "Alien" (1979) ripped-off every main aspect of the first half (!!). No kidding. In defense of "Alien" Scott did take these concepts and made a BETTER sci-fi/horror picture.

NEGATIVES: The film is from 1965 and therefore has dated sets and effects, comparable to the original Star Trek tv series. If this fact turns you off, stay away.

Unlike "Forbidden Planet" and the original Star Trek the story isn't very compelling. Yes, the set-up is interesting but by the 35-minute mark I was highly tempted to tune out (and did the first time I tried to watch it). It's hard to say why the story isn't compelling despite the film's numerous innovations, but one reason for sure is that, unlike Star Trek, the crewmembers are bland and lack distinction.

Some point out that "Terror in Space" is a darker version of the original Star Trek. This is true only in the sense that the sets and uniforms are darker; certainly not in the sense that it's more serious and mature. I say this because Star Trek was ultra-serious and mature right out of the gate; for verification 9 out of the first 10 episodes were dark, serious and mature in the truest sense -- "The Cage," "Where No Man Has Gone Before," "The Corbomite Maneuver," "Enemy Within," "The Man Trap," "The Naked Time," "Charlie X," "Balance of Terror" and "What Are Little Girls Made Of?".

FINAL ANALYSIS: If it were 1965 I'd give "Terror in Space" a solid B+ (4/5 Stars), but since it's been so outdone by the original Star Trek and "Alien" I can only honestly rate it C+. Regardless, it deserves a revered spot in any sci-fi/horror aficionado's video library. October 31, 2008

Great service

This was a good movie was in great shape. I came in the time promised with no problems. Thank you March 2, 2008

the come of age

if you think that this is a normal review you're right. but mario bava wasn't. he invented in his sci-fi-flic on very low budget a few genres at the same time, just because of only this one room was such an encaving moment, pressure about exploring one guy on a strange planet.
when alfred hitchcock ends, bava starts. February 19, 2008

sick horror sci fi

THis film came out in 65 - the original star trek came out in 66. Yunno those star trek plots where the psychic aliens take over crew members? This film is like the horror version of that plot. (Ray bradbury's martian chronicals is probably the inspiration for this type of stuff - he took hp lovecrafts approach to sci fi to another level)

I especially loved the creepy creepy vintage sci fi sound design (make sure youre in the right state of mind to enjoy this). It starts slow and just keeps getting better and better. When they find the alien ship! WOAH!!!

but all in that hokey 60s sci fi way - like the original star trek. obviously (as other reviewers have noted) this movie was a big inspiration on ALIEN as well. well worth your time and $. April 18, 2007

planet of the vampires

if there could be a worse movie, i am not aware of it. while it has a surprising end, it has added a new meaning to the word 'acting.' clumsy and uneven performance, strange music and , well, you get the point. there is no point. September 30, 2006

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