Countess Dracula / The Vampire Lovers

Countess Dracula / The Vampire Lovers

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Editorial Reviews

COUNTESS DRACULA VAMPIRE LOVERS

Polish-born actress Ingrid Pitt's erotically supercharged presence is the highlight of this double bill of vampire chills from Hammer Films. In Countess Dracula, Pitt stars as an aging noblewoman (inspired by the real-life Erzebeth Bathory) who discovers the secret to eternal youth in the veins of young virgins, while in The Vampire Lovers (based on J. Sheridan LeFanu's "Carmilla"), Pitt's sensuous bloodsucker seduces Hammer starlets Madeleine Smith and Kate O'Mara and incurs the vengeful wrath of Peter Cushing. Countess is the more sober of the two films, with Jeremy Paul's script and Peter Sadsy's direction playing out more like an Old Dark House mystery than Hammer horror, while Lovers' aims for comic-book thrills with plenty of nudity and violence (much of which was trimmed from the American version, but reinstated here); in both cases, Pitt's sexy/scary performances make this DVD a memorably viewing experience for vintage and new-school horror fans alike. --Paul Gaita

Customer Reviews

Countess Dracula

Reviewed by Carl Manes, 2010-03-09

Loosely based on the legend of Elizabeth Bathory, the baroness of blood, this later Hammer entry finds the withered old Countess Elisabeth (Ingrid Pitt) discovering that her youth and beauty could be returned to her by bathing in the blood of virginal young girls. This discovery leads to several disappearances as suspicions grow in the township, while the Countess uses her new found looks to charm a young soldier. The rich cinematography and production values each uphold the standard traditions of the studio from its early days, with astounding sets and elaborate costuming that make this a beautiful and believable period piece. Pitt's transformation from the old crone goes far beyond just her youthful appearance, as she clearly establishes two completely separate personalities as the ruthless Countess and her exuberant younger self. Most of the other performances play well to the Hungarian setting and time, with only a few comically over the top exceptions. Nigel Green steals every scene as the overlooked Captain Dobi, with an authoritative on screen presence. In truth, the Horror of the picture is downplayed for what seems more like a historical drama, but there are plenty of splashes of virgin's blood to satiate both the classic Gothic fans and the vampire fans that are likely to find the title misleading.

-Carl Manes
I Like Horror Movies

Double Exposure...

Reviewed by Bindy Sue Frønkünschtein, 2009-12-26

Ingrid Pitt is a horror goddess. Here, we have two of her best offerings together! COUNTESS DRACULA has an ancient Countess Elisabeth (Pitt), out to reverse the aging process through a series of literal blood-baths. This works out just fine for a while, until jealousy threatens to destroy the Countess' plans for a youthful future. Ms. Pitt does indeed don her birthday suit as well! In THE VAMPIRE LOVERS, Pitt returns as a vampiric seductress, biting necks and taking warm baths in -blessedly- clear water! TVL is the better movie, in that it is a more fulfilling / traditional vampire story. Of course, it doesn't hurt that many tops (and bottoms) seem to sail off throughout! Ingrid Pitt certainly is beautiful, able to enslave an entire household of vampire-babes. Awesome stuff! Her extra-long canines can find my throat any time... P.S.- Good lord, I almost forgot that Peter Cushing is in TVL as "the general"...

have to concur with the other one star reviewer

Reviewed by B. Lafave, 2009-11-05

so bad they're bad . the other one star author here nails it . i'm a very big HAMMER fan and love their gothic output and the MUMMY films and CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF and so on . T and A does not redeem these warm discharges . ECCENTRIC CINEMA led me to anticipate adequate mediocrity with the beautiful MS. PITT . ONLY for complete HAMMERHEADS . smoldering scat . from two quite good directors too ? less so MR. SADSY .

Ingrid Pitt shines in these two horror features

Reviewed by z hayes, 2009-10-07

Watched Ingrid Pitt in "The House that Dripped Blood" recently, and then saw that she was featured in this 2 DVD set, and thought I'd give it a try. I have to say that though my expectations weren't very high, I was pleasantly entertained. In "Countess Dracula", Pitt portrays an aging widow who discovers a rather gruesome youth serum, i.e. the blood of young virgins. This story is modeled on the real life historical figure of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, a 17th century noblewoman who literally took baths in virgins' blood to stay young. Ingrid Pitt does credibly well in both the role of the ruthless old widow as well as the luscious 'young' Countess (assuming the identity of the old countess' daughter, whilst the real daughter, portrayed by a very young and comely Lesley Anne-Down is imprisoned in an old hut in the woods guarded by a mute). The 'young" countess as portrayed by Ingrid Pitt needs a steady supply of virgins' blood to keep her youthful appearance, all in a bid to gain and keep the affections of a dashing young soldier. The acting is credible enough, and the plot isn't exactly unique (in fact it dragged in some parts), but what I love about these old movies are the sets and the creepy sense of menace that permeates the atmosphere.
In the other feature (the more atmospheric and engaging of the two) "The Vampire Lovers", Pitt is once again in the main role, and the story this time is inspired by Sheridan Le Fanu's classic tale of "Carmilla", though I have to say that Pitt's portrayal of the predatory female vampire is much more feisty than the understated Carmilla of the original tale. With her um, considerable assets, Pitt portrays a lush, sexy, and utterly ruthless predator, preying upon all and sundry, regardless of gender. The lesbian theme is quite evident and I was happy to see my favorite classic horror actor Peter Cushing (as Gen Von Spielsdorf) in this as well.
The picture and sound quality in both features are above average, and I actually liked the score. Overall, I wouldn't exactly rate these as stellar examples of horror classics, but they are definitely watchable( and a nice break from the tedium of academia), and I'm happy to add them to my library.

Ingrid Pitt Sux In This Bloody Duo from MGM Midnite Movies!

Reviewed by Scotman, 2009-09-13

MGM Midnite Movies series presents two latter-day Hammer films, but let's not get carried away and call them classics! Both star Ingrid Pitt, the sexy, bloody and ruthless vampire lover.

This package has a flip DVD, a new movie on each side.

The first is Vampire Lovers. A baron has been on the hunt for a vampire family that killed his sister. Thinking his revenge is complete, he retires. Unfortunately he missed one. Carmilla travels with this guy on a horse (who is never explained) and wants (apparently) to build up the clan.

Thin plot is helped by the stoic General, seriously played by Peter Cushing. The softcore breast-flashing, the beheadings and blood dripping from fangs completes this later Hammer film. One could summarize and call it a lesbian vampire film -- the scenery, the haunting, scary music and some of the photographic shots are top notch.

Can't say it's as good as their earlier works, but for the completist, a must-buy. (3 stars)

Second on the list is Countess Dracula. Actually, no relation to Bela Lugosi's character (must be another family branch), she is fearful of getting old. So she uses blood sacrifices to keep her youth with a very large sponge dipped in the blood of virgins and rubs it all over herself. No, really!

The Countess awaits her daughter but when the Countess discovers youth through the blood of dead virgins, she has Capt. Dobi give her away to a dumb (in voice) gypsy. No wait, it gets better. Any nude girls you see are usually dead or buried in a closet. It seems the victims are randomly scattered either in the forest, in a wine cellar or closet. No rhyme or reason.

The Capt. Dobi is a sinister guy who knows of the virgin blood and he and the nurse hunt down virgins for the Countess. A young soldier is caught in the middle of a love triangle and all hell breaks loose.

The photography, with tilted camera angles and authentic costumes and landscape really helps a very thin yet convoluted plot. And the acting is a bit overdone. When Ingrid Pitt's character discovers she's turned old, she yells and grieves for several hours, a bit overdone. Unsatisfactory ending.

Extras include on The "Vampire Lovers" side a 12-minute reading by Ingrid Pitt of the movie's source novel, "Carmilla," accompanied by stills from the film, as well as trailers and audio commentaries by Ingrid Pitt and crew.

Other Ingrid Pitt films include:

The House That Dripped Blood
Count Yorga, Vampire/The Return of Count Yorga