Crucible of the Vampire

Not a good movie at all. Everything too amateur, boring, cheap conversations, no composition.

Crucible Of the Vampire: An interesting Folk Horror film which has echoes of Witchfinder General, The Wicker Man and the Vampire Lovers. A young archaeologist, Isabelle (Katie Goldfinch) travels to a Gothic stately pile to examine half a cauldron which has been found during renovations. This may be the missing half of a Druidic cauldron which Isabelle's University holds. The family at the old house are rather creepy with the father apparently intent on selling the artifact. The dancing daughter has her sights set on Isabelle. There are flashbacks to the 17th Century when a Witchfinder and his soldiers hang a man they accuse of sorcery and cleave his cauldron in twain. The local woods are reputed to have been cursed by evil since ancient times. Some of the effects are a bit ropey but there are are effective dream and vision sequences. The mansion provides long corridors for chasing and the Vampires do have some bite. Not a classic but worth watching. Directed and Co-Written by Iain Ross-McNamee. I watched the Director's Cut on Flick Vault. 6/10.

A young museum curator (Katie Goldfinch) is sent to a country manor a few hours northwest of London to investigate an artefact unearthed in the basement. The family seems nice, but strange things start to mount up, causing the woman to want to flee. Florence Cady is on hand as the questionable blonde daughter of the estate.

"Crucible of the Vampire" (2019) is low-budget Indie horror in the tradition of Hammer Films. Although a flaw surfaces here or there, such as the introduction of Scarlet (Cady), the filmmaking is professional enough. The focus is on creepy mood rather than fast pace or constant thrills, although everything builds to an exciting last act in which the F/X are impressive considering the budget.

Carla Cresswell in the prologue stands out in the female department, a great way to open the movie.

If you don't mind low-budget Indies and are in the mood for spooky atmosphere at an old British mansion in the mold of "Jane Eyre," "House of Usher," "The Others," "Dracula, Prince of Darkness" and "Witchfinder General" (aka "Conqueror Worm"), give it a watch.

The flick runs 1 hour, 44 minutes and was shot in Shropshire, England, which is about 3 hours northwest of London and about 45 minutes northwest of Birmingham.

GRADE: B-

Like so many indie low-budget films around at the moment this film had a story that could have turned in to a really good movie, but was spoiled by lack of attention to detail and not giving much thought to creating atmosphere.

Very poor use of lighting for much of the film which felt more like a corporate video at times, and camera angles that didn't allow the viewer to visually construct a world they could become engaged in or be drawn in to.

These are things that don't cost money and don't take much time to give thought to. They had the tools but not the creativity to use them to best effect.

It is such a shame when an indie film has such potential to be really good.

The acting was OK considering the experience of many of the actors - but again it felt like there was significant lack of direction or exploration in the scene.

Then there is attention to detail at the location. It was plainly obvious that this is not someone's house (let alone home), with fire points and commercial hotel like equipment in just about every shot. These could have been easily moved or disguised. Again, attention to detail was lacking.

It is not a bad movie by any means, but don't expect much from it.

I have stopped writing reviews on IMDB due to the sheer quantity of films we watch.

"Can you get a vampire movie/" my wife asked. As there hadn't been any vampire movies for a long tie I decided to get this. Huge mistake.

This movie is a disaster in every way. The acting, the directing, the dialogue, the 'special' effects, the actors themselves - what a mess. How anyone could have come up with the money for this piece of garbage is a wonder.

Please - spare yourself a waste of 96 minutes and watch paint dry - it will be more interesting.