The Vampire Lovers (1970)

The Countess is called away to tend a sick friend and imposes on the General to accept her daughter Marcilla as a houseguest. Some of the villagers begin dying, however, and the General's daughter Laura soon gets weak and pale, but Marcilla is there to comfort her. The villagers begin whispering about vampires as Marcilla finds another family on which to impose herself. The pattern repeats as Emma gets ill, but the General cannot rest, and seeks the advice of Baron Hartog, who once dealt a decisive blow against a family of vampires. Well, almost. 

The Vampire Loves is a Hammer produced film that was directed by Roy Ward Baker and starring Peter Cushing, Ingrid Pitt, Madeline Smith, Kate O'Mara and Jon Finch.  It is based on the J. Sheridan Le Fanu novella Carmilla and is part of the so-called Karnstein Trilogy of films, the other films being Lust for a Vampire and Twins of Evil.  It is notable as being one of the first films depicting lesbianism as a central theme.  Although not nearly enough hot lesbianism for my tastes. Instead of neck, this vampire prefers to sink her teeth into a nice pair of breasts.  It has all the vampire elements....crosses, stakings, blood and sex.

Carmilla seduces a young victim.

The film breaks no new ground other than the lesbian theme.  It's typical vampire fare and only vampire fans in general will enjoy the film.  The dialogue is rather dull and nothing very important is ever said.  At times, it seems to just be random conversation.  However, as is typical for Hammer, they do a wonderful job with the visual look of the film. There are creepy old castles, misty graveyards and a good dose of blood. It is also a fairly close retelling of Carmilla.

The lead vampire, Ingrid Pitt, actually outshines Peter Cushing in the film. She is an empowered female that overshadows the weak timid females she preys upon.  And it's not just the females....other than Cushing, she weaves her spell and dominates the males here as well. It's actually a fine performance on her part.  She had a lot more talent and charisma than some of the other females roaming about the horror genre at the time.  Cushing seems to be walking through the film.  He's not bad but it seems to be a "been here done that" film for him.  This character certainly doesn't challenge him as the Baron Frankenstein character did.

Ingrid Pitt is a damn fine vampire. 

 Overall, the film is average.  Fans of Hammer, such as myself, will enjoy it. They will enjoy the gothic sets, the blood and the breasts. However, this is not the film I would select to introduce a newbie to the world of Hammer Horror.

Bitch, you can't escape Peter Cushing.

Trivia:
The role of the Man in Black was offered to Christopher Lee but he declined the role and John Forbes-Robertson was cast instead. Forbes-Robertson would also later replace Lee in Hammer's The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires.

This film was given an R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America due to the vampire bites inflicted on the women's bosoms.

This film was given an R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America due to the vampire bites inflicted on the women's bosoms.

It was the final Hammer film to be financed with American money

Quotes:
Marcilla: You must die! Everybody must die!

Baron Joachim von Hartog: They were all evil and remain evil after death.   

You can't stop love.