Featured Audience Ratings

• Jeff "

  
  The Vampire Lovers is an underrated vampire yarn that is well acted and directed. The film owes its success to its atmosphere, which adds so much to the tone of the film. Director Roy Ward Baker has picked a fine cast of talented actors, including Hammer horror icon Peter Cushing, who… More
  The Vampire Lovers is an underrated vampire yarn that is well acted and directed. The film owes its success to its atmosphere, which adds so much to the tone of the film. Director Roy Ward Baker has picked a fine cast of talented actors, including Hammer horror icon Peter Cushing, who gives a standout performance. Ingrid Pitt is wonderful as well, and this film will certainly give genre fans something worthwhile to watch. Although not perfect, this is a vampire film the wait it is meant to be. The story is quite good, and well layered, and like I said, the film is underrated and it doesn't deserve the flack it has received. There are enough tense, atmospheric scenes throughout the film that will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a fine film that is worth checking out and Hamer horror enthusiasts should seek this one out as it is an overlooked film that hasn't gotten the recognition it deserves. This is among the best vampire films in the genre, and it belongs on the short list of must see vampire licks. The tone and atmosphere of the film sets this one apart from others, and there is a constant feeling of dread on-screen, and it adds so much to the film. Add to that menacing performance of Pitts and you have a highly entertaining horror film that has enough chills to appeal to genre fans. This is a surprising film that relies on a good story, effective visuals to create the chills on-screen. Roy Ward Baker crafts something unique here, and I think this title has been overlooked and it really deserves a second chance. This is horror in its basic form, and it uses it to9 its advantage to create something entertaining and bone chilling all at once. This is what horror is supposed to be and if you're looking for a good vampire film that delivers terror, then give this one a shot. There is romantic overtones throughout the film and it sets this film apart from others in the genre. The Vampire Lovers adds sensuality to its imagery, and it creates something riveting and ultimately exquisite in the process.

• 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!

• The Movie W

  
  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.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings