Vampires Archives | Spooky Isles %

Vampires are supernatural beings from folklore that survive by feeding off the blood, or life force, of the living. The most famous vampire is the fictional Count Dracula, created by Irish author Bram Stoker.

Varney the Vampire: The world’s first vampiric hero

Kaja Franck - 15 October 2020 1

Varney the Vampire was the original king of the undead who inspired all who came after him, says DR KAJA FRANCK

Dracula by the Purple Playhouse (1973), Canada’s forgotten vampire film

Terry Sherwood - 27 September 2020 1

Dracula by the Purple Playhouse wasn't one of the CBC's finest efforts, says TERRY SHERWOOD

Peter Underwood versus The Vampire

Rick Hale - 29 July 2020 2

RICK HALE examines how famed ghost hunter Peter Underwood came face-to-face with the evils of a real-life vampire in England during the 1970s

Dracula Society, An Interview with the chair, Julia Kruk

David Saunderson - 16 May 2020 0

Julia Kruk has been a member of the Dracula Society for over 40 years. DAVID SAUNDERSON talks to her about the group devoted to Bram Stoker's king of vampires....

Frank Langella in the title role of Dracula 1979

Dracula 1979 REVIEW

Terry Sherwood - 7 March 2020 0

Dracula 1979 is a stylish but different take on the Bram Stoker vampire classic, TERRY SHERWOOD writes

Meet Isle of Man Vampire, Matthew Hassal

Rick Hale - 4 March 2020 0

Iron stakes prevent an ancient vampire, Matthew Hassal, rising from Malew Churchyard, Isle of Man, RICK HALE reports

In Search of Dracula 2020 TV REVIEW

Terry Sherwood - 19 February 2020 0

TERRY SHERWOOD reviews In Search of Dracula, Mark Gattiss' documentary exploring the history of the king of vampires...

England’s 6 most terrifying historic vampire cases

Rick Hale - 18 June 2019 4

Real-life vampires and other bloodsucking creatures are found throughout English history, says RICK HALE

Dr Kaja Franck interviews author Dacre Stoker about Dracul at the Spooky Isles London Launch on 20th October 2018

Dracul (2018) by Dacre Stoker and J. D. Barker BOOK REVIEW

Kaja Franck - 23 November 2018 0

DR KAJA FRANCK reviews Dracul (2018), by Dacre Stoker and J. D. Barker, a worthy prequel to the greatest vampire novel of all…

Dance of the Vampires, Fearless Vampire Killers

The Fearless Vampire Killers 1967 REVIEW

Jay Hollis - 14 October 2018 2

JAY HOLLIS reviews Fearless Vampire Killers (1967), Roman Polanski's parody of British horror

Christopher Lee made a name for himself as the title character in a range of Hammer Dracula films.

Why we love Dracula: A History of Vampire Films

Guest Writer - 12 September 2018 0

Guest writer DEBRA McREYNOLDS puts the bit on our favourite vampire films in this look at cinematic Dracula

John Polidori: Genesis of The Vampyre and the Byronic Hero

Kaja Franck - 1 March 2018 1

DR KAJA FRANCK explores how the birth of Frankenstein also involved the creation of the first English vampire novel by John Polidori

Renfield, fly-eating madman, essential force in Dracula

Kaja Franck - 14 December 2017 2

Renfield is one of Dracula's most intriguing and charismatic characters. DR KAJA FRANCK profiles the notorious madman...

Bram Stoker’s top 5 inspirations for Count Dracula (and it’s not just Vlad the...

Kaja Franck - 17 November 2017 2

DR KAJA FRANCK digs deep into Bram Stoker's working notes to reveal the real inspiration behind the King of Vampires, Count Dracula

Byzantium 2012 REVIEW: Vampires set up home in modern-day Hastings

Richard Phillips-Jones - 29 October 2017 0

Byzantium 2012 sees Neil Jordan make a return to horror. RICHARD PHILLIPS-JONES is pleased to hear it...

Blood Of The Vampire 1958 REVIEW

Richard Phillips-Jones - 28 October 2017 0

First off the blocks to emulate Hammer's horror success? RICHARD PHILLIPS-JONES revisits the gruesomely Technicolor effort, Blood Of The Vampire (1958).