The Vampire Lovers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Vampire Lovers
Directed by Roy Ward Baker
Produced by Michael Style,
Harry Fine
Written by Sheridan Le Fanu (story Carmilla),
Harry Fine,
Tudor Gates,
Michael Style
Starring Ingrid Pitt,
George Cole,
Kate O'Mara,
Peter Cushing
Music by Harry Robertson
Cinematography Moray Grant
Editing by James Needs
Distributed by American International Pictures (USA, theatrical),
MGM
Release date(s) October 4, 1970 (UK)
October 22, 1970 (US)
Running time 91 min.
Country UK
USA
Language English
Followed by Lust for a Vampire
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile
Not to be confused with Vampyros Lesbos.

The Vampire Lovers is a 1970 British Hammer Horror film directed by Roy Ward Baker and starring Peter Cushing, Polish actress Ingrid Pitt, Madeline Smith and Kate O'Mara. It is based on the J. Sheridan Le Fanu novella Carmilla and is part of the so-called Karnstein Trilogy of films. Other films in the trilogy are Lust for a Vampire (1971) and Twins of Evil (1972). The three films were somewhat daring for the time in explicitly depicting lesbian themes.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

The film is set in early 19th century Styria and opens with an atmospheric pre-credits sequence featuring a beautiful blonde (Kirsten Lindholm) in a diaphanous gown materialising from a misty graveyard. Encountering the Baron Hartog (Douglas Wilmer), a vampire hunter out to avenge the death of his sister, the girl is revealed as vampire when her breast is seared by his crucifix. Baring her fangs to attack the Baron, she is swiftly decapitated.

one of the Karnsteins
one of the Karnsteins

The main story then begins with a sultry dark-haired lady leaving her daughter Marcilla (Pitt) in the care of General von Spielsdorf (Cushing) and his family at their Styrian mansion. Marcilla quickly befriends the General's daughter, Laura (Steele). Laura suffers nightmares that she is being attacked, and her health deteriorates until she expires. Marcilla vanishes from the General's home.

Faking a carriage break-down, Mircalla's mother leaves her (now using the alias Carmilla) at the residence of a Mr Morton. Here, Carmilla befriends and seduces Morton's daughter Emma (Smith) but her need to feed overcomes her emotional attachment and Emma too begins to fade. Emma has nightmares of a being pierced over the heart, and her breast shows tiny wounds. Emma's governess Madame Perradon (Kate O'Mara) also falls victim to Carmilla's erotic blandishments and becomes her willing tool. Some in the household, the Butler and a Doctor, suspect what might be happening, especially in the wake of several local girls suddenly dying. But Carmilla kills each one. All the while, a mysterious Man in Black (clearly also a vampire) watches events from a distance, smiling (his presence is never explained).

Interlude between Emma (Smith) and Carmilla (Pitt)
Interlude between Emma (Smith) and Carmilla (Pitt)

After Carmilla kills the Butler, having convinced him that Madame Perradon is a vampire then persuaded him (for some reason) to remove the garlic protecting Emma, Carmilla goes to Emma's bedroom. She says she must go away, but is taking Emma with her. A desperate and sick Madame begs Carmilla to take her with her. Carmilla kills her, in front of a horrified Emma. Emma is barely rescued by a young man named Carl (Jon Finch) who fashions a makeshift cross from his dagger. Carmilla flees to her nearby ancestral castle, now a ruin.

Douglas Wilmer, Peter Cushing and Ingrid Pitt in the climax
Douglas Wilmer, Peter Cushing and Ingrid Pitt in the climax

All this coincides with the arrival of the General, who brings with him a now-aged Baron Hartog. They find Carmilla's grave, where she sleeps. Her eyes open, and interestingly enough she makes no move to defend herself. The General lifts a stake--and back in her bedchamer Emma screams "No!"--then drives it into Carmilla's heart. He then cuts off her head. Carmilla's portrait on the wall decays, showing now a fanged skeleton instead of a beautiful young woman.

[edit] Production

Before production the script of The Vampire Lovers was sent to the chief censor John Trevelyan who warned the studio about depictions of lesbianism, pointing out that a previous lesbian film The Killing of Sister George had had five minutes excised by his office. In response Hammer replied that the lesbianism was not of their doing but was present in the original story by Le Fanu. Trevelyan backed down (Sinclair McKay 2007: 118). Production of The Vampire Lovers began at Elstree Studios on 19 January 1970 and used locations in the grounds of Moor Park Mansion, Hertfordshire (standing in for Styria, central Europe). It was the final Hammer film to be financed with American money — most of the later films were backed by Rank or EMI.

[edit] Cast

The Vampire Lovers DVD cover. The luscious Madeline Smith (bottom right) is menaced by Ingrid Pitt (top left), playing the vampire Carmilla
The Vampire Lovers DVD cover. The luscious Madeline Smith (bottom right) is menaced by Ingrid Pitt (top left), playing the vampire Carmilla

[edit] References

  • Sinclair McKay (2007) A Thing of Unspeakable Horror: The History of Hammer Films.
  • Rigby, Jonathan, (2000). English Gothic: A Century of Horror Cinema. Reynolds & Hearn Ltd. ISBN 1-903111-01-3. 

[edit] External links


v • d • e
Hammer Karnstein Trilogy
The Vampire Lovers (1970) • Lust for a Vampire (1971) • Twins of Evil (1972)