Vampiros a la sombra

Bruce (Evil Dead) Campbell and David (Kung Fu) Carradine headline this 1989 109 minute comedy horror which crosses over into the Western genre too. I found this film a nice surprise and entertaining to boot. A town of Vampires headed up by 'the Count' himself (played by Carradine) are looking to co-exist with humans in what feels like a retirement village set in a John Ford-esque Wild West town. Unfortunately Jefferson (John Ireland) has different ideas and feels that his species shouldn't have to co-exist in harmony, why wear factor 1000 sunblock and drink synthetic blood when living humans are a plentiful source of food. As it happens to synthetic supply is in danger and the only way to fix the situation is a living human scientist with the relevant skills so it's through his family's eyes that we tend to follow the action and story. Throw in Bruce Campbell as a bumbling idiotic modern Van Helsing and you have some great ingredients for making a film that it's stuck in the horror genre alone. Laughs a plenty with a cute story and some fun events make this a great if slightly camp way of enjoying 109 minutes, to me this is more entertaining than watching "True Blood" which also features vampires and synthetic blood because it really doesn't take itself too seriously :P 7 out of 10 from me on this.

Anthony Hickox's second film and much in the same vein as his first in WAXWORK. A nice blending of horror and comedy. This time there is a third genre added in a western.

A group of vampires lead by Jozek Mardulak (David Carradine) are living in the desert in their own community of Purgatory. Here, they are working on creating a synthetic mixture that will act as human blood so they can stop taking human lives. The Harrison family lead by father David (Jim Metzler, who looks like he could be Eric Stolz's dad) and mother Sarah (Morgan Brittany) visit Purgatory so that David can assist in the creation of the mixture. Of course things are never easy in the movies and we are introduced to some good characters like a descendant of the Van Helsings (Bruce Campbell) and Ethan Jefferson (John Ireland) a fellow vampire who wants to start a revolt against this new way of life for the vampires.

A great and super capable cast that also includes Maxwell Caulfield, Deborah Foreman, M. Emmett Walsh and Dana Ashbrook to name a few. Also includes some new and interesting twists to the vampire legend with a great score from Richard Stone that really adds to the viewing of the film.

Sundown is pretty good for what it is. What is it? A low budget western/horror/action/comedy flick with plenty of original ideas, a great cast and its tongue is firmly planted in its cheek. David Carradine is Mardulak, he owns a town in the American southwest called Purgatory. Purgatory is a sanctuary of sorts for vampires that wish to live out eternity in peace. Mardulak is also funding a blood substitute so vampires will no longer feed on humans for blood. Of course there are some that are not on the same page and do not see humans as their equals, just lunch. John Ireland is great opposite of Carradine as villain in this. Plus M. Emmet Walsh, Bruce Campbell, George "Buck" Flower and Emmet from Road House appear. Sundown The Vampire In Retreat is fine campy entertainment that does not take itself so seriously. But, by doing so it succeeds on its own merits. It puts a nice and unique spin on the vampire mythos and is a hilarious and fun film. This film may be a little cheesy, but performances are good and this project is ripe with fresh ideas. Sundown The Vampire In Retreat certainly delivers the goods for campy entertainment.

The Underrated and misunderstood bruce Campbell does it again and with an excellent cast including david carradine. Has a great story a great slapstick script and was executed well. Its campy and low budget but it's a must see for any comedy buffy. Heard this bombed while earth girls are easy boomed but sorry this us a much better movie. So sit back with a big bowl of extra buttered popcorn and enjoy a good laugh!! Oh and a little western horror thrown in.

This was a pleasant surprise - a charming vampire western that respects the genres (Western fans will love the classic John Ford-esque setting and epic soundtrack!) while maintaining both an action plotline and likeable, understandable characters. Bruce Campbell is hilarious as an over-the-top Van Helsing descendant (who goes thru a most unexpected change!), John Ireland is impressive as the rebel vampire leader and David Carradine is strong and dignified as the Count who keeps an ancient secret identity. Lots of human warmth and sympathy (Carradine's townful of Western vampires, drinking a synthetic blood substitute, yearns to be free of human predation and to someday live on equal terms with mankind) distinguishes this from many other modern vampire flicks; the Count's reaction upon feeling forgiven by God is genuinely moving. Even your non-horror-fan friends will like this one.