The Vampire Lovers (1970)

43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(1,729 ratings)

This sexy horror story from Britain's Hammer Films finds Ingrid Pitt playing three roles, the most notable being a lesbian vampire who will resort to biting a man only when it is absolutely necessary. A doctor and a manservant are victims, but only after she has exhausted all attempts to sink her… More This sexy horror story from Britain's Hammer Films finds Ingrid Pitt playing three roles, the most notable being a lesbian vampire who will resort to biting a man only when it is absolutely necessary. A doctor and a manservant are victims, but only after she has exhausted all attempts to sink her fangs into the bosoms of young women. The General (Peter Cushing) finds his daughter Laura (Pippa Steel) is victimized by the bite of the vampiress. With the help of Baron Hartog (Douglas Wilmer), they try to end the horror brought by the blood-sucking beauty. Blood, gore and a few decapitations are depicted before the wooden stakes and crosses are brought out. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Roy Ward Baker
Written By: Tudor Gates, J Sheridan LeFanu, Harry Fine, Michael Style
Genres: Drama, Horror, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 4, 1970 Limited
Studio: MGM Pictures

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Fairly flat dialog doesn't provide much of the unconscious humor that usually gives a lift to this type of entertainment.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
This eroticized vampire tale resulted from the last significant surge of creative energy at Britian's Hammer Films, which thereafter descended into abject self-parody.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...would've worked better as a short...
, Film4
Although it's over-long and has some genuinely silly moments and dialogue, this was a key film from Hammer.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Not the best of the Karnstein trilogy, but gory and sexy. What else do you need.

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Featured Audience Ratings

David L

Vampire Lovers is a particularly fine example and a cultural milestone that heralded the arrival of vampyric characters as being romantic, charismatic and seductive. For all the strength of the cast in this film ? George Cole and the always great Peter Cushing, for all it's… More
Vampire Lovers is a particularly fine example and a cultural milestone that heralded the arrival of vampyric characters as being romantic, charismatic and seductive. For all the strength of the cast in this film ? George Cole and the always great Peter Cushing, for all it's whimsical, dreamlike eroticism and relatively slick execution this film rises head and shoulders above its peers solely by virtue of it's leading lady. Essentially defining the vampire for the generation of films that would follow Ingrid Pitt carries the cast and production effortlessly on a tide of charisma, charm, grace and almost preternatural beauty. While this film is undoubtedly exploitative and resolutely sexist, it manages to inadvertently empower it's female lead albeit at the cost of the bevy of blushing, fainting beauties who line up only to fall under her spell. The patriarchal men who populate the film, dotting about looking worried, grumpy and pallid, just look pathetic next to the animalistic, virile goddess squaring up against them. As they cower behind their trinkets of religion, powerless to stop their women being spirited away, we inadvertently begin to side with the vampires. Just observe the scene where Ingrid's Carmilla bears down on the young buck who storms in to rescue the dizzy young virgin from our anti-heroine's clutches: Is it me or does the phallic sword that he wields seem to droop slightly as she surges down the stairs towards him? Weight is lent to Ingrid's performance not only by her almost unbelievable natural charisma, but also by her acting abilities. This woman possessed more talent than the horror genre often asked of it's ladies - Check her out working the subtle nuances of her craft as the spectre of a smile creeps across her face on hearing that she is to be taken in by yet another unsuspecting band of aristos. Also fantastic is the scene where a couple of male characters discuss the fact that the predator amongst them is a woman? 'an extremely beautiful woman'. We are then treated to a quick cut-away to Ingrid sitting in a chair managing to look haughty, sexy, smug, dangerous, seductive and powerful all at the same time. The film's much vaunted eroticism, through solely projections of male fantasy, are undoubtedly stirring. Ingrid's seduction of Madeline Smith when she chases her round the room before falling onto the bed alongside her is as erotic as anything I have seen on screen and the real life revelations that, at the time the film was made Madeline was a virgin, while Ingrid was almost certainly not, make it all the more intoxicating. That Ingrid did not go on to achieve greater success as an actress is a sin, after all she was (and is) a fine actress and surely one of the most beautiful women alive. That she went on to have a successful writing career and continues to be worshiped by a legion of fans is understandable. To conclude Vampire Lovers is a great film from the latter days of Hammer studios and worth seeking out
Kylie B

The plot synopsis here is actually rather misleading, as the film is more subdued sexually than one might assume. It's also a fairly close retelling of Le Fanu's Carmilla.
Robert C

One of the best (cheesy) vampire movies EVER! Vampire chicks ROCK!
Eric H

The first instalment in Hammer's "Karnstein" trilogy, based on Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla". Ingrid Pitt is a lesbian vampire seducing the local virgins for their blood. Crazy as it seems now, this was one of the most positive portrayals of… More
The first instalment in Hammer's "Karnstein" trilogy, based on Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla". Ingrid Pitt is a lesbian vampire seducing the local virgins for their blood. Crazy as it seems now, this was one of the most positive portrayals of homosexuality at it's time. Pitt's blood-sucker is the sort of romantic vamp who would be a big hit with teenage girls today, a doomed anti-heroine at odds with a world she doesn't fit in. Roy Ward Baker does a great directing job, the sets designed so his camera can fly through keyholes and up staircases. As always Cushing is immense but this is most definitely Pitt's movie.
Adam M

Hammers classic vampire tale with Ingrid Pitt as a sexy vampire who prefers women and part of the infamous Karnstien vampire family who terrorised their town years ago and are back for more. Being made in 1970 this isn't some lesbian softcore porn flick, this is more about the… More
Hammers classic vampire tale with Ingrid Pitt as a sexy vampire who prefers women and part of the infamous Karnstien vampire family who terrorised their town years ago and are back for more. Being made in 1970 this isn't some lesbian softcore porn flick, this is more about the tease and brief looks at tits and stuff(although we do see Pitt totally wet and naked in one scene - yes) but in 1970 this was called shocking but as with a lot of Hammer films, this is classy stuff while still remaining dark with a decent plot and performances. Also featuring Peter Cushing, Kate O'Mara and Brit acting daddy George Cole.