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Jean Rollin blends dreamy Gothic horror with erotic excess in this surreal French vampire tale.

THE SHIVER OF THE VAMPIRES

We were surprised to hear of your deaths. Your reappearance is even more surprising.

1971 · 01:35:00 · R · Horror · IMDB TMDB

A young, honeymooning couple stop for the night at an ancient castle. Unbeknownst to them, the castle is home to a horde of vampires who have their own plans for the couple.

Quick Answer
What is The Shiver of the Vampires about?

The Shiver of the Vampires is a 1971 French horror film directed by Jean Rollin about a young honeymooning couple who spend the night at an ancient castle inhabited by vampires with sinister intentions.

Key Facts
Director
Jean Rollin
Writers
Monique Natan, Jean Rollin
Release
1971
Runtime
1h 35m
Country
France
Language
French, Italian
Genres
Horror
Also Known As
Strange Things Happen at Night, Thrill of the Vampires, Los temores de los vampiros, Original title: Le frisson des vampires

The SassyFlix Take

Few directors blend the sensual and the surreal quite like Jean Rollin. The Shiver of the Vampires is a fever dream of French Gothic sets, somnolent virgins, and lesbian vampires, all wrapped in Rollin’s signature delirium. Where others might shy away from lurid effects or boundary-pushing nudity, Rollin leans in—and the result is as hypnotic as it is transgressive.
From the Vault

From the vault: where a honeymoon in France means vampires, candelabras, and more nudity than a Parisian cabaret.

Why Cult

French Erotic Gothic

This is classic French gothic horror, laced with eroticism and moody castle interiors that ooze atmosphere.

Rollin’s Surreal Style

Jean Rollin delivers a delirious, dreamlike pace with a red-soaked visual palette and inventive sequences.

Boundary-Pushing Nudity

Daring scenes of public nudity, female full frontal, and erotic set pieces push the boundaries of early '70s horror.

Exploitation with a Twist

On the surface pure exploitation, but with a subversive inversion that leaves the male lead a helpless observer.

About This Film

A young honeymooning couple stop for the night at an ancient castle. Unbeknownst to them, the castle is home to a horde of vampires, who have their own plans for the couple.

Unforgettable Rollin extravaganza, daring to go for effects other directors would dismiss as cheesy, and pulling them off. On one level, it seems pure exploitation, with its somnolent virgins and lesbian vampires; but it is the prospective male viewer that the film targets – his representative on screen is reduced to an impotent observer, finally breaking down into helpless madness. Rollin’s style is as delirious as ever, fantastic French Gothic sets, seeping red filter, dreamlike pace, bewilderingly inventive soundtrack, resonant set-pieces and unmissably pretentious dialogue.

Film Details

Themes & Keywords

Female Nudity Murder Female Rear Nudity Female Topless Nudity Female Full Frontal Nudity Female Frontal Nudity Rape Female Pubic Hair Softcore Lesbianism Husband Wife Relationship Stabbed To Death Suicide Young Female Star Appears Nude Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Shiver of the Vampires about? +

The Shiver of the Vampires follows a young honeymooning couple who stop at an ancient castle, only to discover it is inhabited by vampires with their own sinister plans.

When was The Shiver of the Vampires released? +

The Shiver of the Vampires was released in 1971.

Who directed The Shiver of the Vampires? +

The Shiver of the Vampires was directed by Jean Rollin.

How long is The Shiver of the Vampires? +

The Shiver of the Vampires has a runtime of 95 minutes.

What genre is The Shiver of the Vampires? +

The Shiver of the Vampires is a horror film.

Where can I watch The Shiver of the Vampires? +

The Shiver of the Vampires is available to stream on SassyFlix.