Jonathan

Geissendorfer's first feature was an original approach to Bram Stoker's Dracula, but it is seldom mentioned in most studies of vampirism on film. Jonathan must fight against wild and aristocratic vampires, who do not stop at anything to satisfy their thirst for blood. Cows, sheep, chickens, anything is left bloodless in this outrageous film, which luckily is also funny.

I saw Jonathan in the early '70s, at the old Harvard Square Theater, in Cambridge, MA, and I have been looking for it to reappear on the screens ever since (or maybe on DVD). Contrary to the "classical" vampire film, Jonathan's plot is rather an original one, in so far that it carries a political message. A bunch of aristocratic, fascist vampires, led by the evil Count, have taken over the country. They have turned their peasant population into slaves and literally suck the blood out of them. In their midst, a hero appears, ready to destroy this scourge. I think it would be most "a propos," given the neo-aristocratic present administration of Bush "le petit," for this film to be reissued.

I do not remember all the details of the film, the cinematography, acting, etc, but I do remember being enthralled by it and kept riveted in my chair. Given these vague memories, it is difficult for me to give this film a precise rating, but I can safely give it a seven or eight stars. So let's go with eight.

This is really wonderful but just as difficult to describe. Obviously it is about Vampires but nothing like anything else I have seen. It is certainly dream like and rather surrealist but this seems so obvious by saying that. The only film I can think anything like this is the films of Jean Rollin but not really because this one is so strange even though it seems simple as well. Jonathan is probably the only one in the film who seems normal and not like anyone else. His journey in the coach is a long time and all seems okay but then suddenly he finds everyone is dead, the man and the horses and then walking he eventually finds the castle. There the vampires, in red, seems to almost move as in dance and it is scary as the way they move not quite as lovely as you might think and we see blood. Robert Muller cinematography is splendid being Dutch and of many films like Breaking the Waves (1996), Paris,Texas (1984), Repo Man (1984) and Dead Man (1995). The last one is that of Jim Jarmusch's and seems to usually do all his films. The music is by the composer, Roland Kovac and there is something of the style of the work of E. T. A Hoffmann. The director, Hans W Geissendorer like most of the cast is German but has had many TV and films although seems to be best known, apart from Lindenstrobe, it was his long TV series, a weekly soap opera (1985-2020) the lives of the people of Munich, the controversial issues through the years like Homosexuality, drug abuse, domestic violence, rape, xenophobia, prostitution and Aids, which had many awards and of course big in the day when his first film was made this also received a German award.

I watched this movie in germany, when it was released for the theaters. It left a lasting impression on me. It captures an E.T.A. Hoffmann sort of atmosphere, talks to your romantic and advanterous spirit. Specially when you have grown up in the european countrysite , between ruined keeps in the midst of old forest. Little probably to tickle the northamerican imagination. I found the approach to vampire stories very genuine and without moral judgement. I was glued to my seat in the theater. I was searching for this movie ever since. I hope it will be rereleased on DVD.

i was looking endless for this movie and finally got my hands on a DVD copy. its a very political movie, if you see it in the context of the time that it was made. it has a great camera, that starts of a certain point for example, then goes without a cut for some minutes through a scene and ends again with the scene from the beginning, continuing the story it had started in the first location. other parts of the movie remind more of a play performed on a stage. the surroundings and behaviour look very staged but though very familiar. and not to forget the great "dracula", the one second you think you might look through his mask, but the next second you notice he fooled you. great acting. i really can recommend that movie, even if the political aspect might be a little antique. its this old style though that makes the whole movie so refreshing. it should be a must in everyones vampire collection, thats for sure. i think i'll watch my DVD again soon, its definitely worth a second look.