the vampire lovers

Like oldies radio stations, the popularity of Hammer horror films seem to be drifting out of favor as a new generation redefines what is to be considered “classic.” Just ask around; the ‘80s are now thought of as mainstream horror’s hey-day, the ‘70s are certifiably old, and anything beyond that is downright ancient. Don’t even bring up the black-and-white argument unless you want to lose all faith in the future of humanity. So it’s ironic that the latest Hammer to see the light of day on blu-ray was itself representative of the company’s desperate attempt to keep up with the changing times.

The Vampire Lovers (1970) is an adaptation of the erotic vampire novella Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. Despite being the first Hammer production to feature bare breasts and some lesbian interludes, it was a natural progression for the company, whose leading ladies were often in just as much jeopardy of a nip-slip as being drained of blood. The nudity here is about as tawdry as a National Geographic by today’s standards, but featured player Ingrid Pitt still impresses with her unselfconscious seduction of every man and woman in her vicinity.

A member of the wandering undead Karnstein family, Mircalla (Pitt) ensconces herself into the homes of various noblemen, cozying up with their virginal daughters and slowly draining them of blood before moving on to the next castle down the road. Experienced vampire hunter Peter Cushing plays the father of an early victim who seeks to destroy the Mircalla and end the Karnstein curse.

But Cushing’s role is little more than an extended cameo. The movie rises and falls on the heaving bosom of Ingrid Pitt who, despite being far too old to play the pillow-fighting playmate of Victorian teenagers, makes Mircalla an intriguing character whether her clothes are on or off. Director Roy Ward Baker adds some visual zip and experimental dream sequences to spice up the usual Hammer formula of foggy graveyards and smoky drawing rooms (although there’s plenty of those, too).

Shout Factory provides the film with a pleasing, if not exactly stunning, blu-ray debut. Details and colors are a notch or two better than the previous double feature DVD from MGM and a few extra seconds of sex and violence are restored. The transfer itself still shows a good amount of wear and, like most Hammer films, could use a full-blown restoration. Extras include a quick but concise featurette Resurrecting the Vampire Lovers, selected readings from “Carmilla” by Ingrid Pitt herself, director’s commentary, trailers, radio spot and a lengthy interview with co-star Madeline Smith, whose secret for a bigger bosom was eating plenty of yogurt. Who knew?