The Vampire (1945): cast, story & where to watch
1945 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1945, The Vampire is a documentary film directed by Jean Painlevé, running about 9 minutes.
What it’s about. After a look at some strange creatures, the narrator and camera take us to the Chaco forest, on the borders of Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil, where a vampire bat lives, desmodus rotondus, attacking wildlife and domesticated creatures, killing small ones by draining all their blood and killing large ones by leaving a parasite in their bloodstream. Four inches long, with a 12-inch wingspread, we see it walk, approach a victim, pull out a patch of fur large enough for it to engage its teeth, then lap six or seven ounces of blood. Its saliva may be an anesthetic keeping its victims from waking. A stub nose and harelip contribute to its efficiency and its hideous look.
Who’s in it. The Vampire stars Max Schreck as Nosferatu (archive footage).
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Vampire has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Vampire page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Vampire tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Vampire (1945)?
- In US, The Vampire is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Vampire worth watching?
- The Vampire holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Vampire?
- The Vampire stars Max Schreck.
- When was The Vampire released?
- The Vampire was released in 1945, with a runtime of about 9 minutes.