vampStarring Grace Jones, Chris Makepeace, Robert Rusler, Dedee Pfeiffer

Directed by Richard Wenk

Arrow Films, out October 3

A bunch of students find the After Dark club – but it’s far more than they’re bargaining for…

If you’re looking for a Grace Jones fix, then this will be slim pickings – she’s not really in it anywhere near as much as reputation would have it, although there is that scene where she’s licking… which will probably keep most satisfied for some time. If you’re looking for a typical 1980s comedy horror, then you’re nearer the right place.

The comedy is probably a bit more to the fore watching Vamp now than it was back when the film was released in 1986: the softcore porn elements (or titillation if you’re going to be more generous) really don’t hold up to the test of time, but there’s enough going on on the horror front to keep you interested. The makeup effects are above average, even if the acting tends to drop below par on too many occasions.

Arrow’s new Special Edition includes some material from the 2011 release, including writer/director Wenk’s first short film, Dracula Bites the Big Apple which shows, if nothing else, how much he improved in a comparatively short time. It’s also got a new 45 minute feature on the making of the film, One of these Nights which includes interviews with the key players.

Verdict: By no means an essential addition to the library, Vamp remains an entertaining way to spend 94 minutes. 6/10

Paul Simpson