Subspecies (1991)

Absolutely the worst movie.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Vampire flicks are a dime a dozen, some made with high budgets, some with low budgets, some being well made, others not so much. However, even in a sea of so many vampire flicks, Full Moon Entertainment's 1991 "Subspecies" manages to stick out, largely due to one reason: This is the film that introduced us to the character of evil vampire Radu! With his long spider like fingers, horrendously long fingernails, ghoulish appearance, raspy voice, and evil persona, Radu makes quite the impression! The movie opens with Radu (Anders Hove) coming back to his native Romania to confront his father, Vampire King Vladislav (the late, great Angus Scrimm) for banishing him from inheriting the throne and the all powerful bloodstone, a stone that holds the blood of all the saints and which allows vampires the ability to survive without feeding on humans. After besting his father, Radu ends up killing him and stealing the bloodstone for himself. But Radu won't be home alone for long, as two American women - Michelle (Laura Mae Tate) and Lillian (Michelle McBride) - soon arrive in Romania to meet up with their Romanian friend, Mara (Irina Movila), to study the local folklore in the region while staying at (you guessed it) the castle that Radu is staying at! Soon enough, they discover another stranger is in their midst, the mysterious Stefan (Michael Watson) who just happens to be the good vampire brother of Radu, and who takes an instant liking to Michelle and she to him. But love will have to wait as the girls find themselves being stalked and take over by the evil that lurks in the castle walls, Radu. Will they survive their stay in Romania or are they doomed to be become the undead themselves? Although filmed on a low budget, "Subspecies" has a certain magic to it that would only increase in the following sequels. One major reason for this is due to the film actually being shot on location in Romania, creepy castles and all. Another must go to Ted Nicolaou for directing a film on such a tight budget and still bring so much out of the picture in terms of style and atmosphere. Special effects, such as Radu's shadow moving through the castle hallways, make for some very simple but highly effective creepy enhancements for the picture. But above all, what makes "Subspecies" as good as it is would be the terrific performance of Anders Hove as Radu. With his crackling voice, creepy demeanor, and evil zeal, Hove makes Radu the center point of the whole Subspecies series, despite the fact that the original intention was to make Stefan's and Michelle's love story the main focus. While the film does have its flaws, the important thing to keep in mind is this is only the introduction to a series that in reality is all one big, extended film, a film that gets better with each addition. Don't just take my word for it, check it out for yourself!

I have seen this movie, I own this movie, this movie sucks. That this movie sucks, it's not a bad thing, hey it's OK sh*tty movie it's not your fault, somebody made you a piece of crap. Why I like this movie is cause if I'm playing scrabble or something and I want the TV on , Subspecies is a perfect fit, put that garbage on and enjoy. This movie is done by Full Moon Productions, they make amazing just absolute garbage movies, it's like I'm not sure if they want to specifically make awful movies or this is merely like a continuing series of mistakes, movie after movie after movie. If crap is what you are into then WOW did you luck out, you just hit the jackpot!

... and I freakin' love it. This movie, whatever flaws it has (and it has them in spades), has one thing going for it BIG TIME: Heart.This cheap piece-o-crud flick has so much heart, with every single actor giving it everything they've got (which isn't always a lot, but SOMETIMES it is!) I just have to ... well ... Ah jeez, I love this movie.What can ya do? You just can't NOT love a movie with this much heart going on in it. The guy who plays the bad guy is actually... quite awesome. I mean, he actually does a superb job here. The three college chicks are good too! I mean, these actors really seem to CARE about this garbage they're involved in! And, bless their hearts, it shows.This thing should have more fans, end of story. Watch it -- you'll be glad you did.

Frightfully original and bewilderingly entertaining tale of Radu, an evil vampire played by Greenland (in the Kingdom of Denmark) actor Anders Hove. Radu desperately craves the ancient relic of the Bloodstone, a stone that actually drips the blood of saints. Three visiting American women get caught up in an ancient vampire feud. Radu has slain his father (Scrimm) thus resulting in the wrath of his good vampire brother Stefan ('General Hospital's' Michael Watson).Truly original story and sharp direction by Full Moon regular Ted Nicolaou (who admits that when Charles Band asked him to direct, in Romania, he thought it was some kind of scam). Speaking of Romania, the post Communist country still in a state of post war fear - hotels riddled with bullets and protest marches through the streets over loss of jobs and the terrifying economy - is a superb setting with grand ruins, beautiful woodland and excited locals in supporting roles. This was one of the first films made in Romania after the fall of Communism and the cast and crew overcame huge odds to produce an original, scary, bloodthirsty and fun film. Laura Tate as Michele is good as are the other leads but Denise Duff (in the sequels) makes Michele more appealing and gives her real heart. Horror actor Angus Scrimm merely rehashes previous roles he has played but is still fun to watch. Eerie music score and cruel Minions (small red creatures that help Radu - originally played by real local people but they were so passionate in the roles that it didn't work and David Allen's fantastical animation had to be used instead) make this an all round entertaining film.