The Little Vampire (film)

The Little Vampire
File:The Little Vampire (film).jpg Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Uli Edel
Produced by	Richard Claus
Screenplay by	Karey Kirkpatrick Larry Wilson
Based on	Der kleine Vampir by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg
Starring	Jonathan Lipnicki Rollo Weeks Richard E. Grant Jim Carter Alice Krige
Music by	Nigel Clarke Michael Csanyi-Willis
Cinematography	Bernd Heinl
Edited by	Peter R. Adam
Production company	Propaganda Films Cometstone Pictures
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release dates	August 18, 2000 (Edinburgh Film Festival) October 27, 2000
Running time	95 minutes
Country	Germany Netherlands United States
Language	English
Budget	$35 million
Box office	$27,965,865

The Little Vampire is a 2000 comedy horror film based on the children's book series of the same name by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg.

Plot

Young Tony Thompson (Jonathan Lipnicki) has recently moved to Scotland, where his family takes up residence in a small castle while his father is employed building a golf course on the estate of Lord McAshton. Since arriving in his new home Tony has experienced recurring nightmares about vampires and a mysterious comet, and is bullied by his sceptical schoolmates. One night, while dressed up as a vampire, Tony is mistaken for one by the young vampire Rudolph (Rollo Weeks), who is on the run from the ruthless vampire hunter Rookery (Jim Carter). Tony helps Rudolph find a cow to feed from, and in return Rudolph takes Tony flying. The two boys quickly become friends, and Rudolph confides to Tony that his family only drink animal blood and wish to become human. When Rudolph takes Tony to the cemetery where his family lives, they are confronted by Rudolph's parents Frederick (Richard E. Grant) and Freda (Alice Krige) and Rudolph's romantic sister Anna (Anna Popplewell) and rebellious brother Gregory (Dean Cook). Frederick doubts Tony's loyalty to his son, but when Tony helps repel an attack from Rookery Frederick begrudgingly allows Tony to help them. Frederick reveals that they are searching for a magical amulet than can be used to turn vampires into humans, but Rookery is also seeking to use the amulet against them. Meanwhile, Rookery alerts Lord McAshton to the presence of vampires in the village. Lord McAshton reveals that his family has known about the existence of vampires for generations. Elizabeth, an ancestor of Lord McAshton, was romantically involved with Rudolph's uncle Von, who was the last known holder of the amulet, and both lovers were killed by the McAshtons. Learning this, Tony, Rudolph, and Anna seek out Elizabeth's tomb, where Tony experiences a vision pointing out the location of the amulet: Tony's own bedroom. Rudolph and Tony race Rookery to the amulet while the rest of Rudolph's family, along with Tony's parents, travel to the site of the ritual the vampires hope to perform. Tony and Rudolph succeed in bringing Frederick the amulet, but the ceremony is interrupted by Rookery. The vampires are unable to stand against Rookery's crosses and lights, but Tony's parents hold him off long enough for Tony to complete the ceremony by wishing for the vampires to become human. Rudolph and his family disappear as the comet passes, leaving Tony and his parents alone. Some time later, while visiting the village market, Tony spots Rudolph and his family, now human, moving into a house in the village. At first they seem not to recognize Tony, but as he calls to them their memories return, and the two friends are reunited.

Cast

• Rollo Weeks as Rudolph Sackville-Bagg
• Jonathan Lipnicki as Tony Thompson
• Anna Popplewell as Anna Sackville-Bagg
• Richard E. Grant as Frederick Sackville-Bagg
• Jim Carter as Rookery
• Alice Krige as Freda Sackville-Bagg
• Dean Cook as Gregory Sackville-Bagg
• Pamela Gidley as Dottie Thompson
• Tommy Hinkley as Bob Thompson
• John Wood as Lord McAshton
• Jake D'Arcy as Father McClaughlin
• Johnny Meres as Teacher
• Georgie Glen as Party Guest

Critical response

The film received mixed reviews from critics with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 55% rating.

Box office

The film grossed $28 million against its $35 million budget.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was released on October 17, 2000 by New Line Records.

1. "Iko Iko" — Aaron Carter
2. "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" — A*Teens (Cover from the original ABBA song)
3. "Let's Get Funky Tonight" — Dream Street
4. "Best Friends" — Angela Via
5. "You Can Get It" — Baha Men
6. "Let Your Soul Shine" — Bosson
7. "Shalala Lala" — The Vengaboys
8. "Here I Am" — No Authority
9. "Flee Fly Flo" — Fe-m@il
10. "Reason I Live" — Ace
11. "Cool In The Wind" — Michael Reiss
12. "Requiem (The Fifth)" — Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Production

Parts of the film were shot in farmland near Cocksburnpath in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders, at Culross and nearby Donnymarl Castle in Fife, in Newliston House, Dalmeny House and Dundas Castle near Edinburgh, at Gosford House in East Lothian and also on roads in West Lothian around Oatridge, near Broxburn.

See also

• Der kleine Vampir, the book series on which the TV series and the film are based
• The Little Vampire, a TV series also based on the same book series

External links

• The Little Vampire at IMDb
• The Little Vampire at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Little Vampire at Box Office Mojo