Beautiful temptress… or bloodthirsty monster?
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This is a very interesting combination of very faithful, and well-produced, and cleverly structured literary adaptation of an historic novella and exploitation. It’s a great combination. … This is a very well-made movie, but I think what makes it a classic and the version of “Carmilla” that we return to all the time is Ingrid Pitt.
Dr. Steve Haberman, The Vampire Lovers audio commentary (Scream Factory, 2021) -
If you are watching this film now for the first time within the context of Hammer movies you’re going to sense something that has not been presented in a Hammer vampire film, which is a very distinct supernatural flavour in the presentation of vampire as a ghostly ethereal being. This is something that is very distinct even from the variations on the vampire theme that Hammer presented with movies like The Kiss of the Vampire.
Constantine Nasr, The Vampire Lovers audio commentary (Scream Factory, 2021) -
The Vampire Lovers gets off to a promising start with an especially atmospheric pre-credits sequence. An evanescent, shrouded figure emerges from a a mist-wreathed graveyard and turns out, magically, to be a dazzling blonde beauty in a diaphanous gown. As she embraces the apprehensive Baron Hartog, her exposed breast comes into contact with his crucifix, whereupon she bares shark-like teeth and Hartog smartly decapitates her with a single sweep of his sword. ... That provocative nipple/crucifix collision crystallises Hammer’s new approach in a single frame. The Vampire Lovers has as its protagonist a devouring bisexual seductress who sinks her fangs, not into the necks, but into the breasts of her female victims.
Jonathan Rigby, English Gothic: Classic Horror Cinema 1897-2015 (Signum Books, 2015)
Selected disc options for The Vampire Lovers
Extras | Scream Factory BD-A/US 2021 | Scream Factory BD-A/US/OOP 2013 | HanseSound BD-B/DE/OOP 2020 | Anolis BD-B/DE/OOP 2016 | Final Cut BD-B/UK/OOP 2014 | Shock BD-B/AU/OOP 2011 | Shout! Factory DVD-1/US/OOP 2014 | MGM DVD-1/US/OOP 2003 |
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Audio Commentary by Dr. Steve Haberman and Constantine Nasr | has extra | |||||||
Audio Commentary by Actress Ingrid Pitt, Director Roy Ward Baker and Screenwriter Tudor Gates, Moderated by Jonathan Sothcott | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | ||
Audio Commentary by Dr. Rolf Giesen and Volker Kronz | has extra | has extra | ||||||
Audio Commentary by Marcus Hearn and Jonathan Rigby | has extra | has extra | ||||||
“Carmilla” by Sheridan Le Fanu: Excerpts Read by Ingrid Pitt - With Photo Montage | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | ||
Carnal Crimson - Interview with Kim Newman | has extra | |||||||
Fangs for the Memories: Remembering “The Vampire Lovers” - Interview with Jonathan Rigby | has extra | |||||||
Feminine Fantastique: Resurrecting “The Vampire Lovers” | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | ||||
New Blood: Hammer Enters the 70s | has extra | has extra | ||||||
The Rapture of Cruelty: Carmilla in Classic Cinema - Audio Essay by Dr. Steve Haberman, Read by Actress Madeline Smith | has extra | |||||||
Madeline Smith: Vampire Lover - Interview with Actress Madeline Smith | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | ||||
To Love a Vampire - Interview with Actress Madeline Smith | has extra | |||||||
Deleted Shot of the Opening Beheading | has extra | |||||||
Trailers from Hell with Mick Garris | has extra | |||||||
Restoration Comparison | has extra | |||||||
Stills Gallery [Anolis] - German Advertising, American Pressbook, British Pressbook, Film Programs, Photos | has extra | has extra | ||||||
Stills Gallery [Final Cut] | has extra | |||||||
Stills Gallery [Scream Factory 2013] | has extra | |||||||
Stills Gallery [Scream Factory 2021] | has extra | |||||||
German Theatrical Trailer | has extra | has extra | ||||||
US Theatrical Trailer | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | |
US Radio Spot 1 | has extra | has extra | has extra | has extra | ||||
US Radio Spot 2 | has extra | has extra | has extra |
Notes
- Scream Factory’s 2021 “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray is missing a nude scene – a replacement disc is available.
- Anolis’ Blu-ray is also available in two Mediabook editions, each containing a 36-page booklet with writing by Dr. Rolf Giesen, Uwe Huber and Uwe Sommerlad (in German).
- Shock’s Blu-ray reissued (2015/07/03).
- Shout! Factory’s DVD contains no extras. It is included in the “Movies 4 You: Horror” box set with The Vampire (1957), The Screaming Skull (1958) and The Bat People (1974).
- MGM’s “Midnite Movies Double Feature” DVD also includes Countess Dracula (1971).
Ultimate Edition
Combine the best digital presentation with a selection of choice extras for the ultimate edition.
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“Carmilla” by Sheridan Le Fanu: Excerpts Read by Ingrid Pitt (12:06) -
Carnal Crimson (19:06) -
Fangs for the Memories: Remembering “The Vampire Lovers” (24:32) -
Feminine Fantastique: Resurrecting “The Vampire Lovers” (9:56) -
New Blood: Hammer Enters the 70s (26:23) -
Madeline Smith: Vampire Lover (20:33) -
To Love a Vampire (15:54) -
Trailers from Hell with Mick Garris (2:35) -
Restoration Comparison (5:19)
Presentation |
Scream Factory BD 2021
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Scream Factory BD 2013
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HanseSound BD 2020
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Anolis BD 2016
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Final Cut BD 2014
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Shock BD 2011
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Extras | Audio Commentary by Dr. Steve Haberman and Constantine Nasr Scream Factory BD |
Audio Commentary by Actress Ingrid Pitt, Director Roy Ward Baker and Screenwriter Tudor Gates, Moderated by Jonathan Sothcott Scream Factory BD | |
Audio Commentary by Marcus Hearn and Jonathan Rigby Scream Factory BD | |
“Carmilla” by Sheridan Le Fanu: Excerpts Read by Ingrid Pitt - With Photo Montage | Scream Factory BD|
Carnal Crimson - Interview with Kim Newman Scream Factory BD | |
Fangs for the Memories: Remembering “The Vampire Lovers” - Interview with Jonathan Rigby Scream Factory BD | |
Feminine Fantastique: Resurrecting “The Vampire Lovers” | Scream Factory BD|
New Blood: Hammer Enters the 70s | Scream Factory BD|
The Rapture of Cruelty: Carmilla in Classic Cinema - Audio Essay by Dr. Steve Haberman, Read by Actress Madeline Smith Scream Factory BD | |
Madeline Smith: Vampire Lover - Interview with Actress Madeline Smith | Scream Factory BD|
To Love a Vampire - Interview with Actress Madeline Smith | Scream Factory BD|
Deleted Shot of the Opening Beheading | Scream Factory BD|
Trailers from Hell with Mick Garris | Scream Factory BD|
Restoration Comparison | Final Cut BD|
Stills Gallery [Anolis] - German Advertising, American Pressbook, British Pressbook, Film Programs, Photos | Anolis BD|
Stills Gallery [Final Cut] | Final Cut BD|
Stills Gallery [Scream Factory 2013] | Scream Factory BD|
Stills Gallery [Scream Factory 2021] | Scream Factory BD|
US Theatrical Trailer | Scream Factory BD|
US Radio Spot 1 | Scream Factory BD|
US Radio Spot 2 | Scream Factory BD
Notes
- MGM’s “Carmilla” extra has a more extensive gallery than Scream Factory’s.