Notably, Carl Theodor Dreyer's Vampyr carries a single deadly flaw: it's extremely slow. Characters move lethargically. That's a shame because cinematographer Rudolph Mate conjures some exceptional black and white imagery. Call it a light and shadow play. A similar problem plagued F.W. Murnau's Faust. Quite simply, pretty pictures overshadow the storytelling.

Something might be amiss in Courtempierre, a commune in north-central France. Visitor Allan Gray (Julian West) arrives, locates an inn and goes to sleep only to be disturbed by an unwanted guest. More strange events follow, hinting at the supernatural. Objects seem to animate of their own accord and there are ghostly echoes from dogs that once lived there.

Now, don't ask how or why events play out as they do. It's sheer serendipity. As for the mythological creature indicated by the title, this comes across as a puzzling addition. Something to spice up the confusion. Meanwhile, drowsiness frequently takes hold. I found it difficult to stay awake. The further down the rabbit hole Dreyer went, the less I wanted to know. Answers are not very forthcoming anyway. 

Disappointingly, the performances do little to alleviate the tedium. West seems alright at first, yet his increasing bewilderment causes the scenario to feel like a chore. Apparently, the cast was made up of non professionals which could explain some of the bizarre character motivations and one-note performances. There's very little grey area in a film which should burst with fascinating contrasts.

What works visually and musically does not extend to the surrounding production. There's too much artificial gravity as though make believe got the best of the men and women in this morality tale. In the end, Vampyr doesn't amount to a hill of beans, only a muddy soup neither edible nor compelling.

Time to rhyme:

I wanted to love Vampyr and its quirks

Beyond the bizarre, only sleepiness lurks.

I would be a willing buyer

If not for the indulgences of Carl Theodor Dreyer.

Somewhat tired and a little weary

Rather than captivated and teary.

Vampyr postponed its mythic presence

Relying on mist and shadow for essence.

Wolfgang Zeller's score was number one in its field

Acting as a valiant and worthy shield.

This element I would replay

Because nothing bad got in the way.

(Released by Image Entertainment. Not rated by MPAA.)