Review
Blood Thirst is an entertaining horror/mystery tale with a twist on the standard legends that vampire fans might be expecting. Instead of the well-trodden territory of European-style vampires, this Filipino production features a blood fiend that worships the sun in return for eternal life. As played by Robert Winston, Adam Rourke is a suave but arrogant detective who's quick with a flip remark and not afraid to plant a wet kiss on the dame who just smacked his face. With the focus on this second-rate Mike Hammer, Blood Thirst sticks closer to private eye conventions than traditional horror, but the story moves fast enough to engage and some unsettling set pieces towards the end of the film bring it back to the realm of the eerie. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide
Synopsis
In the city of Manila, a baffling spree of terrible murders has the police force stumped. Beautiful young girls are found drained of blood through small incisions in their wrists, so Captain Miguel (Vic Diaz) calls for his American friend Adam Rourke (Robert Winston) to come to the Philippines and help solve the case. Rourke is an expert on sex crimes with an irreverent attitude toward his work, something that causes friction with Miguel's sister Sylvia (Katherine Henryk). Since several of the victims were employed at the Barrio Club, their investigation starts there with Rourke going undercover as a magazine writer. Mr. Calderon (Vic Silayan), the club owner, is suspicious of Rourke's request for an "interview," but promises to think it over. When hired killers start trailing Rourke, he knows he's on the right track, though the body count keeps rising and a break in the case is elusive. Meanwhile, Sylvia is falling for Rourke against her better judgment, so she gets a job at the Barrio Club in an attempt to search for clues and make sure he stays safe. A mysterious belly dancer (Yvonne Nielson) offers Rourke some valuable information, though discovering the secret of these horrible killings might lead to his destruction. At the same time, Sylvia is captured by the ghoul, a hideous monster with a mangled visage. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide
