Carmilla (1989)

Carmilla is a short story written by Sheridan LeFanu which helped influence Bram Stoker to write Dracula.The characters are good, but Meg Tilley is especially convincing as the beautiful, mysterious, yet evil Carmilla, who befriends a lonely, and overprotected Marie, played by Ione Skye, who soon finds herself under Carmilla's spell. After a series of grisly murders reveals Carmilla as a bloodthirsty vampire, it's a race against time for Marie's father, and a local inspector to try to save Marie against Carmilla's power. If you come across this hard to find Showtime Classic, you owe it to yourself, to give it a try.

Like many literary horror classics, Irish writer J. Sheridan LeFanu's lesbian vampire tale received its fair share of cinematic adaptations; unfortunately, one made in 1966 for the "Mystery And Imagination" TV series no longer exists. Still, this made-for-TV version (which I was not aware of until now) is the sixth one that I have watched – after Dreyer's very liberal VAMPYR (1932), Roger Vadim's BLOOD AND ROSES (1960), the Italian-made CRYPT OF THE VAMPIRE (1964), the Hammer/AIP co- production THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970), the Spanish THE BLOOD-SPATTERED BRIDE (1972) – and the only one which kept the original title. Which is quite surprising since, not only is the setting changed from Victorian England to the American South, but there is no mention at all of Carmilla's true identity, Mircalla Karnstein! Also, it is unsurprising, given its pedigree, that the lesbian overtones prevalent in the short story and some of the earlier film versions, are highly underplayed here; even so, the cast is quite decent – Meg Tilly in the title role; Ione Skye as her main victim; Roy Dotrice as her father; and "Inspector" Roddy McDowall – and there are a couple of standout scenes: the bat attack on the maid; the bizarre high-flying seduction in the park; and McDowall's weird and unexpected, bloody come-uppance. For the record, this adaptation was an episode in the obscure and short-lived TV series entitled "Nightmare Classics" which bore the executive producer credit of actress Shelley Duvall!; unfortunately, I came across this on "You Tube" via a print with an askew aspect ratio that often (ironically enough) 'beheads' the characters appearing on screen!

After seeing on YouTube, this is the most interesting adaption of Carmilla in Shelley Duvall short live late 80's series "Nightmare Classics". Instead of taking place in a foreign country it takes place in America South during the Civil War. Lonely Marie wanted a friend real bad she and her father finds a survivor in a carriage accident; her named is Carmilla. Marie and Carmilla quickly becomes good friends, then mysterious death in their home, could Carmilla be the blame? Meg Tilly is convincing as the innocent and evil Carmilla who kill anyone who gets in her way. Roddy McDowell had small supporting role as the Inspector who is only one suspicious of Carmilla and believe she's a vampire. The maid who close to Marie and her father knew something's not right about Carmilla also. Carmilla plot's revealed at the end and Marie is being stupid when her father tried to convince her about Carmilla because he was protective father. But it still good with dreamlike atmosphere mix with fairy tale.

The reasons are: Ione Skye and Meg Tilly! (Two of my favorites)If not for their beauty this would be a total loss. If you like post Civil War period pieces and/or are a fan of Vampire movies perhaps you might enjoy "Carmilla". It reminded me of a Grade B 1950's Vincent Price horror movie more then a movie made in 1990. Meg's a Vampire and she's after Ione trying to seduce her. Ione's Papa tries to save her. The town doctor tries to figure out why all these people are dying. (and why do they have those strange puncture marks in their necks?) And why was I watching this 60 minute turkey anyway?Oh yeah... Meg and Ione are lovely to watch!