Lust for a Vampire
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Movie Reviews of Lust for a Vampire
Movie Review: Evidence of Hammer's decline
Summary: 2 Stars
In 19th-century Europe, a writer travels to the mysterious Karnstein Castle to research for a novel. While there, he cannot resist engineering an opportunity to teach at a prestigious girls' school. Unfortunately, the evil Count Karnstein is also at work amongst the girls, one of whom is an ancestor of the infamous Carmilla Karnstein -- a vampire.
This was the second of three films Hammer based on the works of gothic novelist Sheridan le Fanu, the first being The Vampire Lovers in 1970, the trilogy ending in 1972 with John Hough's Twins of Evil.
Le Fanu's original works were known for their atmosphere; unfortunately, the atmosphere in this film is reliant almost solely on Harry Robinson's typically lush and impressive score. Certainly Sangster's direction is leaden and the cast are markedly lacklustre, with Mike Raven awkwardly moulded to the look and persona of Christopher Lee -- indeed, there are even one or two lazy stock-shots from Lee's earlier Dracula appearances -- but he is utterly lacking in Lee's magnetism and acting ability. In the absence of a convincing villain, the absence of a strong hero is even more conspicuous, with the vampire hunter turning up too late in the game in the form of an elderly bishop managing only to utter a few cliches about fighting the devil. What Hammer's earlier vampire films had was two weighty antagonists, well-sketched and providing conflict to fuel the drama on a cosmic scale. What Lust for a Vampire has is lots of bare breasts and very little narrative drive.
Movie Review: Pretty poor
Summary: 2 Stars
Made in 1970 by Hammer, and the second of the Karnstein films, this is just about watchable hokum but no more than that. As previous reviewers have noted in many ways this is nearer to being an exploitation movie than a horror film. However remember this was made in 1970 so showing a lot of women topless was still a relatively daring thing to do, and the film still rates as an 18 on the DVD I have.
So aside from the entertainment for men, what else has it got going for it? Well in all honesty not a huge amount. It is quite well photographed, but the script and some of the acting left a fair bit to be desired. Having said that I don't remember Count Karstein (Mike Raven) actually saying anything throughout the film so you can't complain about the script in that respect. Probably its main fault is the lack of a quality leading actor. Theres no Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing or Andrew Keir for that matter. However it is only just over 90 minutes long so its all over reasonably quickly.
This really is one for Hammer completists, and certainly is not in the same class Hammers best films ('Horror of Dracula' or 'The Devil Rides Out').
Movie Review: a little bit weak vampire fairy tale
Summary: 2 Stars
The reasons are:
1. A very embarrassing greece dancing
2. There are more many women than men in the film except the underrated actor Ralph Bates & the unknown actor Michael Johnson
3. The blond danish model Jutta Steensgard is not a famous Horror actress. She played as Carmilla Karnstein a bit boring, she was not really actress but she was a photomodel.
4. The same plot 19th century Romanticism (a classic gothic horror tale), which Hammer Film Studio didn't develop the story at all.
The most stupid element in the movie:
a young writer who fell in love in a female vampire, and could not save her and was unable to protect himself. It looks a bit cheesy, cause you'd already seen this in various Hammer films.
2 stars
Movie Review: Lust for a better Hammer film
Summary: 2 Stars
I am a Hammer Film fan, but this one lacks the style and content that other Hammer films contain. The pop music song in the film ruins it. The poor use of Ralph Bates is evident and he could have been used much better as he is an excellent actor. I still enjoyed watching it but like I said, it lacks some.... The DVD quality is good though I am looking for Twins of Evil to be released on DVD. That is a better film!!