Bloodtype Online

    Two attractive young women come are stranded when their car runs out of gas.  Fortunately for them they discover that they are near an isolated cottage, which is home to a mysterious man named Waldemar and his sister.  They don’t own a car or a phone but offer to let the women stay with them until their handyman comes for his next delivery.  So the women decided to stay and explore the surrounding countryside.  During their explorations they stumble upon the grave of a woman that local legend says was a vampire and priestess of black magic.  With the help of the Waldemar they open her casket and find the silver cross that legend says is the only way to kill her.  Well they take the cross and while doing that the one of the women cuts herself and drips blood on the body.  Sure enough that night the vampire comes back to life and begins wreaking havoc on the countryside.  If that weren’t enough it seems that Waldemar is a werewolf who was searching for the cross so that it can be used to kill him and set him free from his curse.  It isn’t long before he and the vampire woman are battling each other! 

    Werewolf Shadow is yet another of the cheaply made European horror films starring the legendary Paul Naschy, who again collaborated in writing the script.  The story is fairly straightforward with a few fun subplots thrown in for good measure such as the creepy and as it turns out dangerous handyman.  This all adds up to a very silly story with a strange sort of charm to it.  The cast does an excellent job, which can be seen even with the really cheesy dubbing which itself was fun.  The female members of the cast are very attractive and as is the tradition of early 70s European horror films they do show some skin!  The special effects can be described at best as minimal, especially the werewolf makeup which is pretty cheesy but yet again really fun.  In spite of having a werewolf and a whole gaggle of vampires there really isn’t that much blood which I did find disappointing.  The direction of Leon Klimovsky gives the movie has sort of a surreal feel, which gives this movie a unique look that sets it aside from most of the other European horror films that I’ve seen.    

    I really enjoyed this movie and am going to recommend it with the following caveat.  These movies can be an acquired taste and you will either enjoy them or not.  If you aren’t a fan of European horror movies then you will want to avoid this movie.  If on the other hand you either like these movies or have never seen one then give this one a chance.