The film is set "in the soul of Transylvania" and the story seems to set in the mid 19th century. Professor Abronsius, formerly of the University of Königsberg, and his apprentice Alfred are on the hunt for vampires. Abronsius is old and withered and can barely survive the cold ride through the winter forests, while Alfred is clumsy and withdrawn. The two hunters arrive in a small village seemingly at the end of a long search for vampire signs. The two stay at a local inn filled with citizens performing strange rituals to ward off an invisible evil. While staying at the inn, Alfred dev...
The film is set "in the soul of Transylvania" and the story seems to set in the mid 19th century. Professor Abronsius, formerly of the University of Königsberg, and his apprentice Alfred are on the hunt for vampires. Abronsius is old and withered and can barely survive the cold ride through the winter forests, while Alfred is clumsy and withdrawn. The two hunters arrive in a small village seemingly at the end of a long search for vampire signs. The two stay at a local inn filled with citizens performing strange rituals to ward off an invisible evil. While staying at the inn, Alfred develops a fondness for Sarah, the overprotected step-daughter of innkeeper Yoine Shagal. the beautiful tavern maid was the object of his Koukol lust when he was still human, Abronsius and Alfred track her in the snow, which leads them to the menacing Krolock Castle in the nearby snow-covered hills. They break into the castle but are trapped by the count's hunchbacked servant, Koukol. They are taken to see the count, who assumes an air of aristocratic dignity as he questions Abronsius about why he came to the castle. They also meet the count's step-son, the naughty (and homosexual) Herbert. Meanwhile, Shagal, no longer worrying about his step-daughter's fate, plots his plan to turn Magda into his vampire bride. Despite their doubts, Abronsius and Alfred accept the Count's invitation to stay in his ramshackle Gothic castle, where Alfred spends the night erratically. The next morning, Abronsius plans to find the castle's crypt and destroy the Earl, seemingly forgetting Sarah's fate. The crypt is guarded by the hunchback, so after some wandering they attempt to climb through a roof window. However, Abronsius gets stuck in the opening and it's up to Alfred to complete the task. At the last moment his courage fails him and he cannot perform the deed. Alfred then has to go outside to free Abronsius, but along the way he runs into Sarah bathing in her room. She seems oblivious to her danger when he begs her to come away with him and informs him that a dance will take place tonight. After briefly taking his eyes off her, Alfred turns to find that Sarah has vanished into thin air. After freeing Abronsius, who is half frozen, they reenter the castle. Alfred searches for Sarah again but instead meets Herbert, who first attempts to seduce him, and then, after Alfred realizes that Herbert's reflection is not seen in the mirror, reveals his vampire nature and attempts to bite him. Abronsius and Alfred flee Herbert via a dark stairway to safety, only to be trapped behind a locked door in a turret. The Count appears, mocking them and telling them that their fate is sealed. He leaves them to watch the dance. The hunters run away and present themselves to the ball in disguise, where, although exposed by their reflections in a huge mirror, they are able to grab Sarah and escape. Escaping in a horse-drawn sleigh, Abronsius and Alfred don't know it's too late for Sarah; she wakes up in flight as a vampire, thus allowing vampires to be released into the world.
