The Vampire Lovers (1970)

I'm a vampire fan but like Twlight, this was a lot more rubbisher. There was no excitement that vampires are meant to rule the world and attack humans. This oldie movie was pure effortless, cheap, dumb and just had no proper emotions involved to get you hyped so you can continue watching the movie. Sorry but I don't know why anyone would like this? Regardless if it was made in the 70s or not, it just didn't satisfy me enough...It needs a 0 rating seriously....

Roy Ward Baker directed this film that stars Ingrid Pitt as beautiful(but evil) Carmilla Karnstein, a female vampire who ingratiates herself into the household of General Von Spielsdorf(played by Peter Cushing) whose daughter Laura becomes a target of Carmilla. After finishing with her, Carmilla moves on, but a distraught and enraged General Spielsdorf vows revenge against her, and enlists others to learn her secret history, then track her down to destroy her and end that evil. Good cast of course, but this Hammer studios film is mostly lurid exploitation, though there is a memorable nude bathing scene for Miss Pitt, the film's highlight.(Not much of a coherent plot however...)

"General von Spielsdorf" is hosting a party when an attractive "Countess" (played by Dawn Addams) shows up and happens to bring another attractive woman named, "Marcilla" (Ingrid Pitt) with her. Not long afterward the Countess receives news that a relative is dying and she asks the General if he can accommodate Marcilla until she returns about a week or two later. Being chivalrous he agrees to the delight of his young niece "Laura" (Pippa Steele). In no time Marcilla and Laura become good friends. Unfortunately, during this same time Laura becomes extremely tired and anemic. She also experiences nightmares of a large gray cat attacking her in her bed. Within a week or so Laura is dead and Marcilla cannot be found. When the doctor examines her he notices two bite marks on her breast. A day or two later a gentleman named "Roger Morton" is riding his horse with his daughter, "Emma" (Madeline Smith) when they come across a coach with two women inside. The first woman explains that her companion is sick and asks Roger if perhaps she can stay a night or two with them. Roger agrees to take in "Carmilla" who happens to be "Marcilla". Soon Emma and Carmilla become good friends. Likewise, Emma begins to have nightmares and becomes both tired and anemic. Anyway, rather than detail the entire movie I will just say that this was a pretty good vampire film. It does, however, deviate a bit from the standard vampire traditions. For example, in this film vampires don't like the sun but apparently they are able to function during the day. Likwise, they are apparently able to disappear in a vapor and have a new vulnerability in which they need to retain their death shrouds. Quite frankly, I didn't care for these nuances. Additionally, it features a ghoulish person on a horse but never quite explains his purpose or significance. On the plus side is the fact that there are several lovely women (most notably Ingrid Pitt) and they are used in a highly erotic fashion. Along with that there is good suspense and the acting was also pretty good all around. All things considered then, I rate this movie as slightly above average.

I don't know if I will ever get a chance to see Lesbian Vampire Killers, but going back to see the film that probably started the whole lesbian vampire genre popularized by Jean Rollin and Jess Franco.Hammer Studios is to be commended for bringing this Gothic tale with an erotic twist. It is part of the so-called Karnstein Trilogy of films. Subsequent films in the trilogy are Lust for a Vampire (1971) and Twins of Evil (1972).It was a real shame to see the buxom Kirsten Lindholm beheaded in the opening, but there would be more treasures to come.Carmilla (Ingrid Pitt) stays with Roger Morton (George Cole), and his daughter Emma (Madeline Smith). She wastes no time parading around naked and engaging Emma is play. She visits at night as a cat to groom her for the ultimate conquest. Not satisfied with just Emma, she brings the Governess (Kate O'Mara) under her power by seducing her.People soon start dying in the neighborhood. It is only though the intervention of Renton (Harvey Hall) and the doctor (Ferdy Mayne) that Emma is saved. The crafty Carmilla manages to neutralize both, exposing Emma to attack. Who alive could resist her charms? Meanwhile, Morton runs into Baron Joachim von Hartog (Douglas Wilmer) and General von Spielsdorf (Peter Cushing) on their way to Karnstein castle to find the last vampire's coffin.But, who is the Man in Black (John Forbes-Robertson)?