Hammer studio's 'The Vampire Lovers' is an durably crafted, highly unusual and sensually lusting period Gothic vampire tale in the tradition of Sheridan Le Fanu's 'Camellia'. Can you go wrong with the likes of horror icon Peter Cushing, striking buxom ladies in Ingrid Pitt (who really has an hypnotic pull when she puts the moves on the ladies), Pippa Steel, Kate O'Mara and Madeleine Smith tagging along for the enticingly nightmarish ride of flowing blood, screams from the bottom of the lungs, creeping bare skin and the undead of the night. Director Roy Ward Baker's (a Hammer veteran) tidily pastel display steadily moves along (which it could probably have used a little more spruce in the tactically taut story), as it breathes atmosphere with its sweeping orchestral score, focal photography and lushly detailed locations. The production looks top-notch, being earnestly staged with moments of visual suspense. Nothing beats its opening scenes, but after that it seems to concentrate on the dependable erotic tone of the story. A very commendable Hammer outing.
Review of The Vampire Lovers
