The Vampire Lovers

_The Vampire Lovers_ is one of the most faithful adaptations of a story I have ever seen in a major production. Based on J. Sheridan LeFanu's _Carmilla_, Baker's film captures the essence of evil wrapped in feminine beauty. Ingrid Pitt plays Mircalla with great restraint; her character comes off cold and deceptive, but still driven by a need for love. The action is well timed and choreographed, and the nudity, though a bit gratutious at times, is photographed sensitively and with great appreciation for the actresses. Yes, this is something of a guilty pleasure because of the leads' beauty, but if one looks beyond the titilation, the story, photography, and performances in _The Vampire Lovers_ hold up very well indeed! 8 out of 10.

THE VAMPIRE LOVERS presents us with the incredibly gorgeous Ingrid Pitt as a seductive vampire, biting necks and taking refreshing baths in -blessedly- clear water. Ms. Pitt actually plays a triple role in this film. This is her movie all the way through, and it's also a fulfilling, more traditional vampire story. Of course, it doesn't hurt one bit that many nubile females lose their tops -and bottoms- along the way. Ms. Pitt gives the definite impression that she could just as easily enslave an entire household of vampire women in her real, off-screen life! Those extra-long, Karnstein canines can find my throat anytime...

Hammer Studios speeds up to the more sexually explicit times with Vampire Lovers, a sleek, beautifully filmed atmospheric filming of the vampire tale Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. This wonderfully done film combines the traditional vampire legend with the more permissive sexual standards of the 70's resulting in a sensual yet frightening version of this well crafted story. Ingrid Pitt is breathtakingly beautiful & sensual as the main character Carmilla. She is the human embodiment of a sexually charged feline, and Peter Cushing is appropriately sincere as her nemesis The General. This film singlehandedly established Ingrid Pitt as the reigning queen of vampirism in the 70's. Vampire Lovers is well worth the time for a viewing.