|
Interview
with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles
|
|
1994
|
|
Geffin Pictures
Warner Home Video
|
|
As
Santiago |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Released
internationally, November/December, 1994
|
 |
|
|
|
Tom
Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Stephen Rea and Christian Slater
|
 |
|
|
In 20th
century San Francisco, vampire Louis (Brad Pitt) decides to reveal
his secrets to journalist, Daniel Malloy, (Christian Slater),
and begins to recount a tale of bloodlust, violence and remorse
which has lasted for centuries. As his story begins, the human
Louis, lost and distraught over the death of his wife at childbirth,
hopes for death as a release, but is, instead, given immortal
life from the bloodsucking vampire Lestat (Tom Cruise). The story
unfolds as years past by, and the tale grows yet more complex
when Louis and Lestat bring a precocious child (Kirsten Dunst)
into the fold.
Based on the bestselling novel by Ann Rice, this is one of Neil
Jordan's most lavish and well designed horror films which, year
after year, retains its position as a popular cult classic. The
film includes a stellar cast, rich production values and outstanding
special effects.
Stephen Rea has a smaller role in the film; yet his performance
as Santiago is memorable and spiked with a deliciously authentic
and wicked theatrical scene where he plays the role of death with
an alluring french accent. Bien sur, look for Stephen Rea's
first appearance in the film's mid section when Louis encounters
a very light footed member of the Theatre des Vampires (sur
invitation particuliere) in a Paris tunnel. (Please see our
video clip located on the filmography page.) Even though Santiago
is the leader responsible for the destruction of one of the main
characters, he is conquered and divided (rather graphically) in
the end. Look for a brief, but spectacularly vivid fight sequence
between Louis and Santiago, complete with exceptionally sharp
special effects...
A word of
note: rent the DVD or buy it. It's now in widesceen, complete
with several interactive menus with really good info on the film.
If you catch the film on cable or television, you're likely to
see many of the film's better scenes (including some of Rea's
best) cut out due to time constraints or graphic content.
|
|
|
|
|
Neil
Jordan
Stephen Rea's 4th collaboration with Neil Jordan.
|
|
|
|
|
Based
on the bestselling novel by Ann Rice, she also wrote the screenplay
|
|
|
|
SANTIAGO
And suppose death had a heart to love and release you.
To whom would you turn this passion?
Would you choose from the crowd there?
A person to suffer as you suffer?
WOMAN IN AUDIENCE
Oh yes, Monsieur Vampire, take me, I adore you!
SANTIAGO
You wait your turn!
|
| |
|
|
Stephen
Wooley, producer on this film, also has producing credits on: The
Company of Wolves (1984), The Crying Game (1992), Michael
Collins (1996), Fever Pitch (1997), The Butcher Boy
(1997), In Dreams (1999), and, The End of the Affair
(1999). All films included performances by Stephen Rea. Stephen
Wooley and Neil Jordan recently formed their own production company
called Company of Wolves and have produced the film Intermission,
starring Colin Farrell (screened at the Telluride Film Festival)
and The Actors, starring Michael Caine.
Credits in this film include a dedication to the actor River Phoenix
who died tragically after he was originally cast in the role of
Daniel Malloy. Christian Slater reluctantly took the part and subsequently
donated his fee from the film to River's favorite causes and charity.
See the River Phoenix website for more information.
River
Phoenix Website
|
| |
|
