Film Review: BLOODSUCKER'S HANDBOOK (2012)

BLOODSUCKER'S HANDBOOK *** U.S.A. 2012 Dir: Mark Beal 81 mins

Its the 1960s, a time for revolution, sexual exploration, teenage rebellion and vampires. When Catholic priest Noah Gregory is approached by US Federal Marshals to decipher an ancient book, he soon finds out the real reason they want it done. They have captured what they believe to be a vampire and through the priest they gain more knowledge about the bloodsucking being. Though they think they have the upper hand its not long until the captured vampire known as Condu makes a break for it, thus beginning a dramatic chase, not only for the book Condu wants back so badly but also for Father Gregory's holy sanity.
Every now and again a vampire film comes along which has something special about it, and with this film directed/written by Mark Beal we have just that. With its right mixture of drama and horror, Beal has made a vampire film which can proudly stand on its own. It is near perfect with its 1960s vibe and a vampire which owes more to Max Shreck (NOSFERATU) (1922) then it lets on. The surreal feel to the film is pushed further with its stop motion animation including a talking dog detective who helps our priest out on his quest. What would a vampire film be without a bit of the scarlet spilling, well you get a bit of that but don't expect bucket loads. It has a suitable soundtrack which keeps you immersed in the films swinging 60's style. Acting wise it is only really Cory W. Ahre as Father Noah Gregory and Jeremy Herrera as the vampire Condu who do the most acting. Majority of the rest of the cast are only seen briefly so you don't get to see much of their acting chops. Overall BLOODSUCKER'S HANDBOOK is a surreal dramatic indie horror with just the right amount of bite.

Review by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins