The werewolf vs. vampire woman (La noche de Walpurgis) by Leon Klimovsky (Spain-West Germany, 1971)
Running time: 81 ‘ – Genre: Horror
Elvira and her friend Genevieve find themselves in Waldemar Daninsky’s castle where the tomb of Countess Wandessa is located, who according to legend was a fierce vampire ; ” unwillingly ” they resurrect the very damned soul of the countess but they are not long in discovering Waldemar’s terrible secret…
Directed by Klimovksy (an Argentinean director absolutely to be rediscovered) and written by the father of Spanish horror(Paul Naschy, born Jacinto Molina Alverez) a production that blatantly harkens back to the classic b-movies of the 1950s with the addition of Mario Bava-style gothic atmospheres, decidedly gore and zombiesque sequences, and references to the spirit of sexual liberation of the time. It’s just a pity that the make-up ( especially those of Waldemar, played by Naschy himself) doesn’t always live up to expectations and that the excessive low budget doesn’t leave room for many alternatives. Overall, though, a film that deserves ” cult ” status.
(Antonio Di Carlo)