Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54704 in DVD
• Released on: 1997-12-16
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 92 minutes

Amazon.com
Director Ted Nicolaou rewrites his original Subspecies story line and transplants it into the urban location of Bucharest, Romania. In this gothic tale, a wandering vampire named Zachary (subtly played by David Gunn) seeks revenge against the clan of vampires who crossed him over from mortal life. The abduction of acquaintance and young concert pianist Sofia (the charming Kirstin Cerre) lures him to the lair of Ash (Jonathon Morris) and his den of vampires living beneath a ritzy nightclub. In an interesting twist, the bloodsuckers do not commonly hunt down their prey in the outside world; rather, they seek them in willing bodies through the club, with whose owner they have dealings. Zachary seeks to free the terrified, imprisoned Sofia, who Ash has crossed over, and put an end to the clan's evil, decadent ways. In some instances, Vampire Journals suffers from melodramatic acting and overwrought dialogue, and conversation dominates overaction, but the combination of exquisite Romanian locations, Adolfo Bartoli's sumptuous cinematography, and Richard Kosinki's moody score will keep you watching. Another striking aspect of the film is that it is shot almost exclusively at nighttime, with the beautiful interiors often bathed in golden light; it offers a good representation of what living in eternal night must be like. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews

Only one thing is for certain......
I am a little biased, because David Gunn is one of my favorite actors. The story was somewhat stereotypical in the fact that it was gothic, but the setting in Romania and the filming of it was superb. The story is about a romantic man(he writes poetry--how great is that!)who was turned into a vampire by his sire Serena. He vows to take revenge on the bloodline that made him what he is and killed his fiancee. The most powerful one is Ash, a music lover that falls in love with a pianist named Sofia(played by Kirsten Cerre).Zachary(Gunn)tries to use Sofia as bait while he kills Ash with the holy Blade of Laertes, but the twists come in here. There is plenty of vampiric adventure. A bit of nudity and gore(check out the fireplace scene at Club Muse) It is a beautiful story of a humanist abomination and is set in modern times(unlike Christopher Lee's films). A terrific movie and one that you will fall in love with. But, like I said, I am a little biased.

Possibly the greatest vampire film ever made.
"I am God's most desolate creature"
Some of the lines in this movie are unforgettable. The dialogue is fantastic and moving. I love these first person narratives, they just don?t make enough movies like this anymore. Those who read books and enjoy the classic vampire tales will love this one. It is the most under-rated film I have yet come across. Ash and Zachary are played to the hilt by a few actors I would like to see a lot more of, these are some talented people. The cinematography, the setting, the atmosphere is perfection brought to life. Somebody put a lot of work and love into this film and it shows. The use of shadows and shadowy movement is reminiscent of the very first Nosferatu; it doesn't get more classic than that. "Vampire Journals" appeals to a more mature audience. They are not going for eye popping special effects, and heart-stopping action with this movie. Though the special effects that do exist are very well done. Nothing in this movie looks "cheap" or fake. If you like action and vampires checkout Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Blade 1 and 2. But if you are more drawn to films like Interview with a Vampire, you will really like this one.

Second Best To Subspecies...But Still Great!
Not nearly as great as Full Moon's Subspecies series, but an excellent movie by itself.

Zachary is a bitter vampire who condemns himself and other vampires much like the basic Anne Rice formula. Zachary has taken it upon himself to travel the world in search of all vampires to rid the world of their evil presence. When searching for his latest victim Ash, he meets up with a musician Sofia and begins to care for her. Ash also cares for Sofia and the conflict begins.

Jonathon Morris as Ash is a pretty good bad vampire and the slight tie in's with the Subspecies series are clever and fun to watch.

David Gunn (Zachary) and Kirsten Cerre (Sofia) both play good roles as well, but were not charismatic enough for me to really care about them as much as Michelle of the Subspecies series.

Floriella Grappini (Serena) is sexy in her small but important role and I was quite happy to see her return in Subspecies IV: Bloodstorm.

Overall as long as Subspecies films can be produced I would prefer those, perhaps even integrated with this series and the characters contained in it. I really like the way Full Moon & Ted Nicolaou are practically creating a 'Vampire World' with these films. Although if they could make Subspecies films AND create a Vampire Journals series...well then, I'd never have to look for any other form of entertainment!