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Post by dem on Jan 29, 2009 11:43:57 GMT
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu - The Vampire Lovers And Other Stories (Fontana, 1970) "A thrillingly macabre film from AIP-Hammer starring Ingrid Pitt and Peter Cushing"Vampire Lovers (Carmilla)
Shalken The Painter
Sir Dominick's Bargain
Narrative Of the Ghost Of a Hand
Green Tea
An Account Of Some Strange Disturbances In Aungier Street
The Fortunes Of Sir Robert ArdaghPublished to tie-in with the Hammer movie, this one saw Le Fanu's famous Carmilla retitled for the occasion, but nobody seemed to mind too much. A novelisation would have been interesting to say the least, but this is Fontana we're dealing with, not Sphere and this this serves as a decent enough introduction to the author's work. As to the film - i'm not even gonna waste my breathe telling you what a total classic it is 'cause you already know, but here's a contemporary review. Vampires - With An Added Ingredient! Maybe you wouldn't mind being attacked by a vampire like this but it's girls she's after: Ingrid Pitt plays Mircalla, the disappearing vampire in The Vampire Lovers. The Vampire Lovers is the latest of the popular 'vampire epics' with all the ingredients necessary to provide a first rate screen thriller - and one more! Set in Styria, the happenings take place in and around Karnstein Castle which harbours the evil that inhabits the surrounding countryside. Even after their deaths the Karnsteins rise from their tombs to walk the night and suck the blood from their victims. One of the victims is the sister of Baron Hastag (Douglas Wilmer) who in revenge seeks out the graves of the Karnstein vampires and destroys them. Only one grave escapes the Baron's frenzied work, that of a young girl - Mircalla Karnstein (Ingrid Pitt). Years after that grisly night Mircalla reappears. She becomes part of local society and wins the dubious honour of becoming the first ever lesbian vampire (it had to happen sometime). Mircalla strikes up an intense friendship with Laura (Pippa Steele) and promises to love her forever, but the relationship has a sinister effect on the girl. A few days later Laura dies drained of all blood and Mircalla vanishes - the scene is set ... Hampstead & Highgate Express, October 2nd 1970.
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Post by Johnlprobert on Jan 29, 2009 20:00:24 GMT
I presume it's going to come as no surprise to anyone that I have a mint condition copy of this particular paperback? I've alwyas found the film a tiny bit disappointing because it was made when Hammer were at their peak in terms of profit but had started to decline in quality, so while the nudity is nice the actual film itself looks a bit cheap. Not as bad as Lust for a Vampire and its pink titles though. Oh - I see someone's already mentioned that  |
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Post by andydecker on Jan 29, 2009 21:15:27 GMT
Nice moviecover.
This must be a photo of a shortened scene. I don´t remember it from the movie. Looks like a real uncomfortable coffin for Ms. Pitt.
Great movie, very underrated. ;D
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chastel
Crab On The Rampage
Where wolf? There castle!
Posts: 42
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Post by chastel on Feb 17, 2009 18:17:15 GMT
Oh yes, the novelization would have been interesting! Carmilla, of course, is quite good, a real vampire classic with mix of Gothic romance and authentic folklore. And Vampire lovers is indeed lovely movie, great atmosphere and effectively gorgeous vampire-in-the-home story - this is elegant Hammer, after all, not sleazy Hustler... ;D
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Feb 17, 2009 19:14:14 GMT
Kirsten Lindholm is welcome to beat me senseless or in fact do anything she cares to think of. I can still remember the clammy sweat filled hours anticipating this movie. It had its faults but I forgive and forget them them all.
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Post by unholyturnip on Feb 18, 2009 19:34:51 GMT
Does anyone know if there's 35mm prints of The Vampire Lovers still knocking about in the UK? I do work for a horror festival in Wales and we'd love to get a print of it. Countess Dracula is easy to get hold of, and we've shown Twins Of Evil, but I really wanna get hold of this one ;D
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Post by carolinec on Feb 18, 2009 20:15:15 GMT
Does anyone know if there's 35mm prints of The Vampire Lovers still knocking about in the UK? I do work for a horror festival in Wales and we'd love to get a print of it. Countess Dracula is easy to get hold of, and we've shown Twins Of Evil, but I really wanna get hold of this one ;D I guess you've tried the BFI, haven't you? The National Media Museum in Bradford also has some of its own prints of some films - but I've no idea if that will include this one. I know they've shown Twins of Evil too, but not sure on the others. |
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Post by Johnlprobert on Feb 18, 2009 20:21:36 GMT
Mr Turnip where is your horror film festival in Wales? Nowhere close to Bristol by any chance?
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