"El vampiro" (The Vampire) from 1957 is an engrossing version of the vampire story. Director Fernando Mendez had a successful career with more than thirty films in the movie industry of Mexico. Mr. Mendez and Producer Abel Salazar created this entertaining movie. The story centers on Marta played by Ariadne Welter as she travels to her childhood village and encounters vampires that dominate the local scene.
German Robles as the vampire Count Karol de Lavud has a strong influence over people in the village. Marta has an ally in Dr. Enrique played by Abel Salazar who has a key role in battling the evil Count. Carmen Montejo as Eloise, Jose Luis Jimenez as Abrosio and the other cast members make for an exciting adventure. The film is a fun experience and serves as a link between the Universal horror films of the 1930's and the Hammer vampire films from 1958 through 1974.
Here‘s the dialog in English from the clips in the show.
Clip 1
“I've come to pick up that box. Here's the ticket.
All right, it's all yours.
Isn't it a shame to have someone deliver soil from Hungary?
Soil?
What's wrong with our soil?
Whims of the rich. It's for a man called Mr. Duval, who's lived here for ten years. I think he's a little peculiar. He's very odd, only goes out at night and wears a black cape like that one.”
Clip 2
“Come this way.
I'm so sorry to have come in such a painful time.
It's painful... yes, very much... although we should be happy for her death.
Why do you say that, aunt?
You have no idea how much she suffered these last months. Isn't that right, Emilio?
Yes, in fact, only death could free her from the pain she was suffering.
How did she die?
She suffered a heart attack, but she had been disturbed for five years.
You mean mentally ill?
Yes, she experienced persecutory delusions.
What were her fears?
Vampires.
Vampires?
Yes, things she heard from the people in the other town... they're extremely superstitious.
She was convinced there was a vampire somewhere in this house stalking her to suck her blood, and at night, she suffered even more. She would lock herself up in her room and surround herself with all the crucifixes and mirrors in the house.”
Clip 3
“Who is it?
Maria Teresa, he's a Doctor, a friend.
You've brought a Doctor to see if your sister is insane?
No, you don't believe me. It's not enough for you to see what they did to me. They wanted to kill me by murdering me without leaving a trace. That's why they gave me those powders. That way I'd wake up in my grave and die from suffocation. And from the horror of being inside a coffin.. But, I figured that out soon enough. None of their stuff is a secret to me. I've heard them talk through the tunnels. One day, they discovered me, and wanted to kill Me. They're vampires, both of them. The swine has come to unbury that one... the one in the crypt. The only way to finish with them is by killing them in their sleep. Sticking a wood stake in their chest. Do what I say, before it's too late.
I'm not mad.
I'm afraid.
I'm not mad.”
