How To Make A Horror Film
Subspecies is an American, direct-to-video, horror film series produced by Full Moon Studios. The series ran from 1991 to 1998, and followed the exploits of vampire Radu Vladislas, portrayed continually by Anders Hove, and his efforts to turn Michelle Morgan into his fledgling. A spin-off film was released in 1997, which featured characters that would go on to appear in the final installment of the film series. Ted Nicolaou directed each of the five films, which included the spin-off; he also wrote the scripts for the sequels and spin-off.
The series was shot on-location in Romania, utilizing stop-motion techniques to achieve the look the director wanted for the series’ subspecies creatures. The series has had mixed reviews with critics citing vampire clichés as a downfall of the films, but generally commending the director’s choice in filming in Romania, as well as the special effects used in the film.
Subspecies (1991) follows three college students, Mara, Michelle, and Lillian, as they begin a study on Romanian culture and superstition in the small town Prejnar. They are befriended by Stefan, a student studying nocturnal animals. It is revealed that the nearby Castle Vladislas has been caught in a power struggle between vampire brothers Stefan and Radu. Centuries prior, King Vladislas was seduced by a sorceress; that sorceress gave birth to Radu. After banishing Radu’s mother, the king met a mortal woman. She gave birth to Stefan, who prefers to live in the open, and loathes his vampire heritage. Radu slays his own father to take control of the Bloodstone, a relic which is said to drip the blood of the saints. Radu discovers his brother’s fondness for the girls and succeeds in turning two of the three into vampires.
Stefan, having fallen in love with Michelle, helps try and free Mara and Lillian from Radu’s control. Stefan drives a stake through Radu’s heart and severs his head with a sword. Unfortunately, Michelle was bitten and infected during the fighting, and the only way to save her is if Stefan turns her with his own bite. As Stefan and Michelle sleep, Radu’s minions set about resurrecting their master.
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