The Curse of the Vampire / La llamada del vampiro (1972)

José María Elorrieta’s Curse of the Vampire has been one of the harder Spanish vampire films for me to recall for some reason. I’ve watched it every few years since 2012, and every viewing would always feel like the first time. But I’m hoping that by reviewing it, it will finally stick for good. I’ve come to realize that its lengthy and diluted plot is likely to blame, but the lasting effects it does have are mostly thanks to it having some of the best vampire visuals, some of which have recently become my favorites. 

Following the intro/grabber scene, we are hit with a killer opening credits freezeframe visual of a bloody staked vampire, Margaret (Loreta Tovar), with spot-on eerie feminine vocalizing (shrieking) that really sets the tone and hits the spot for me. Despite being staked at the beginning, Margaret continually returns throughout the film to serve and deliver some top-quality lady vampire scenes. The rules here are that if the stake is removed, the vampire is good-as-new. Somehow, drowning in quicksand doesn’t take them out either.