THE conception for this fantasy packed with fictional horribles happened when star Johnny Depp told director Tim Burton of his enthusiasm for the 1960s TV series.

Depp plays Barnabas, son of a wealthy New England fishing family in the late 18th century. The erotically-enthusiastic, economically-motivated Angelique (Eva Green) sets her cap at him. Barnabas prefers the less-blatant Josette (Bella Heathcote), on whom Angelique casts a spell that makes her jump off a cliff, followed by Barnabas who wakes up to discover that he’s been made into a vampire, whom Angelique persuades the townsfolk to wrap in heavy chains and bury alive.

Still with me?

Jump to 1972, when a road-building crew exhumes the coffin, releasing Barnabas who’s very thirsty. His descendants (their existence an unexplained mystery since he was an unmarried only child) still occupy the decaying mansion built by his parents, but the fishing company is falling apart in competition with Angelique’s (now Angela) company across the street. Matriarch Elizabeth (Michelle Pfeiffer) has hired a governess closely resembling Josette for her orphaned grandson whom a resident psychiatrist (Helena Bonham Carter) is treating for autism. And Elizabeth’s daughter turns out to be a werewolf!

This is wonderfully imaginative stuff woven into a fabric of entertainment for its own sake, played to the nines by a fine cast and visually enhanced by great CG. The screenplay is acceptably derivative of numerous TV ancestors, the drama moves fast and the allusions to superstitious literary fantasy are great fun.

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