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Horror Cult Classic

Mad science, vampiric secrets, and blood-tinged experiments behind prison walls in 1870s Transylvania.

BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE

1958 · 1h 27m · NR · Horror / Science Fiction · IMDB TMDB
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Quick Answer
What is Blood of the Vampire about?

Blood of the Vampire is a 1958 British horror and science fiction film directed by Henry Cass about a doctor sent to a brutal prison where bizarre blood experiments and a sinister governor await.

Details & Specs
Director
Henry Cass
Writer
Jimmy Sangster
Release
1958
Runtime
1h 27m
Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Genres
Horror, Science Fiction
Also Known As
La sangre del vampiro, Der Dämon mit den blutigen Händen, Sangue de Vampiro, Le sang du vampire, To aima tou vrykolaka, Vampir, to aima tou vrykolaka, Il sangue del vampiro, In de macht van de vampier, Vampyrens blod

Overview

Set in 1874 Transylvania, Blood of the Vampire begins with a gruesome graveyard ritual and immediately plunges into a world of gothic horror. Six years after a failed, pioneering blood transfusion lands Dr. John Pierre in prison for the criminally insane, he discovers the institution is overseen by the enigmatic and anaemic Dr. Callistratus and his physically deformed assistant, Carl. Instead of customary punishment, the prison governor enlists John to help with his unorthodox research on blood and transfusion, making use of the inmates as test subjects. Surrounded by dark scientific ambition and a brooding atmosphere, John must navigate a labyrinth of deception, captivity, and menacing authority.
Ending Explained Spoilers — click to reveal

Dr. John Pierre and Madeleine ultimately overcome Dr. Callistratus and his monstrous regime, with Callistratus meeting his end via a stake through the heart.

The ending resolves the film’s central tension between scientific progress and monstrous abuse. Callistratus’s death at the hands of those he tormented restores justice, while the demise by stake underscores his vampiric nature. John and Madeleine’s survival signals a return to moral order after a plunge into medical and supernatural horror.

Why Cult

Gothic Prison Setting

The story unfolds in a grim late-19th-century Transylvanian prison, lending relentless mood and dread.

Mad Scientist Experiments

Dr. Callistratus’s blood experiments on unwilling inmates push the gothic science-horror to squirm-inducing places.

Unique Blood Transfusion Plot

The central plot revolves around early (and highly unethical) experiments in blood transfusion, a rarity among vampire films.

Sinister Assistants and Guards

Physical and moral brutality abound, whether it’s Carl, the deformed assistant, or a pack of guard dogs used to maintain order.

Threat File

Trigger

Conviction of Dr. John Pierre leads to his imprisonment

Threat

Dr. Callistratus’s unethical experiments and vampiric practices

Effect

Inmates are subjected to fatal blood transfusions and heart transplants

Setting

Prison for the Criminal Insane, Transylvania

Cast & Crew

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Director: Henry Cass Writer: Jimmy Sangster
Donald Wolfit Donald Wolfit Doctor Callistratus Vincent Ball Vincent Ball Dr. John Pierre Barbara Shelley Barbara Shelley Madeleine Duval Victor Maddern Victor Maddern Carl WD William Devlin Kurt Urach Andrew Faulds Andrew Faulds Chief Guard Wetzler John Le Mesurier John Le Mesurier Chief Justice BC Bryan Coleman Monsieur Auron Cameron Hall Cameron Hall Drunken Doctor GM George Murcell First Guard JS Julian Strange Second Guard BW Bruce Wightman Third Guard BB Barbara Burke Housekeeper Bernard Bresslaw Bernard Bresslaw Tall Sneak Thief Hal Osmond Hal Osmond Small Sneak Thief Milton Reid Milton Reid Executioner Patricia Phoenix Patricia Phoenix Woman JC Jack Carter Man in Court (uncredited)

Scene Gallery

Trailers & Clips

Questions from the Vault

What is Blood of the Vampire about? +

Blood of the Vampire is a 1958 British horror and science fiction film directed by Henry Cass about a doctor sent to a brutal prison where bizarre blood experiments and a sinister governor await.

When was Blood of the Vampire released? +

Blood of the Vampire was released in 1958.

Who directed Blood of the Vampire? +

Blood of the Vampire was directed by Henry Cass.

How long is Blood of the Vampire? +

Blood of the Vampire has a runtime of 87 minutes.

What genre is Blood of the Vampire? +

Blood of the Vampire is a horror and science fiction film.

Where can I watch Blood of the Vampire? +

Blood of the Vampire is available to stream on SassyFlix.

How are the blood experiments conducted in the prison? +

Dr. Callistratus uses inmates as unwilling test subjects for dangerous blood and heart transplant experiments, with assistance from Carl.

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