If there is a movie in the attempted “Tales from the Crypt” movie anthology series that feels like an extended episode of the original series, it’s surely “Bordello of Blood.” When you get down to it, there’s just so much more substance in “Demon Knight,” but Gilbert Adler’s “Bordello of Blood” seems to capture the zaniness and inherent silliness of the original television series, while also sticking to casting a lot of C grade character actors for the films’ respective roles. That’s not intended as a slight to the cast, but compared to “Demon Knight,” the cast of “Bordello of Blood” seem like second stringers. “Bordello of Blood” will satiate those that want the dark humor and menace of the series.
Dennis Miller seems to know what kind of movie he’s in, as he plays wise cracking private investigator Rafe, who is never short on one-liners during the movie. Even when facing blood thirsty vampires, he’s quick with the tongue. Erika Eleniak is Catherine, a young woman whose brother Caleb goes missing. Caleb is a drunken delinquent who is informed of a secret brothel located within a funeral home, and upon visiting falls prey to the hordes of female companions, all of whom happen to be blood thirsty vampires. They’re led and controlled by their queen, Lilith, an ancient powerful female vampire who is vicious and blood thirsty as she is incredibly sexy. As Rafe begins exploring the secrets behind the bordello within the funeral home, he slowly comes under fire by the vicious Lilith, who is anxious to keep her secret, and seeks out to end her long reign of terror once and for all. “Bordello of Blood” is so much more in keeping with the series’ sensibilities, tapping in to the inexplicable charms of the show.
There’s a supporting role from “Fright Night” villain Chris Sarandon who plays a slimy priest, there’s a random celebrity cameo from Whoopi Goldberg who appears for two seconds only to disappear, and yes, there’s the surprise twist in the final moments of the narrative that “Demon Knight” lacked quite clearly. “Bordello of Blood” chalks up a goofy premise, and has a good time playing every bit of horror with tongue planted firmly in cheek, offering up a woefully obnoxious protagonist, while making the villains incredibly alluring and seductive. Angie Everhart has a good time playing the queen of the vampires, and in “Bordello of Blood,” she’s a surefire force to be reckoned with. “Bordello of Blood” has fun with its own concept, mixing comedy and horror with a slight bit of farce. It’s not the sequel I would have wanted for “Demon Knight,” but it seems to want to have its finger on the darkly comical tone of the original show, and in that regard it’s successful.
Featured in the Blu-Ray release from Scream Factory, there’s an audio commentary with screenwriter A.L. Katz. There’s “Tainted Blood: The Making of Bordello of Blood,” a half hour look at the making of the film that fans will enjoy. There are interviews with Actors Corey Feldman, Angie Everhart and Erika Eleniak, Co-Writer & Co-Producer A.L. Katz, Editor & Second Unit Director Stephen Lovejoy, and Special Effects Creator Todd Masters. This particular making of, features more regrets from the cast than anything as the cast and crew reflect on the problems during the shoot. I sense a documentary about the film’s production coming soon. I’d love to learn more about the clashes between Eleniak and Miller. There’s the original theatrical trailer, there’s a five minute stiller gallery featuring stills, magazine inserts, headshots, and the like. Finally, there’s a vintage three minute Video Promo on where to buy the film.