Countess Dracula/Vampire Lovers double disc

[spacemonkey]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009PY48.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

I just bought these two films Vampire Lovers and Countess Dracula as the mgm double feature disc. Both films were decent but I thought that Vampire Lovers was a kajillion times better then Countess Dracula.

Ingrid Pitt was mega hot in both films but more so on Lovers.

Vampire Lovers, to me, is one of the best Hammer films around. It had it all and a whole lot more. The nudity, the atmosphere and the vampires! Its all here, and with a lesbian twist! Whoa! Ingrid Pitt mustve been the epitomy of sexy chicks back in those days...she was steaming hot! As was Madeline Smith. She had a nice innocent quality that I really dug. Only thing I didnt like was that there was this one character they never really explained. A sort of count who hung outside of the houses in his horse looking ominuos and all...but his actions are never explained.

For my review of Vampire Lovers (http://www.joblo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=70110) click on the link.

Though I didnt like Countes Dracula as much, I didnt get why the hell they called her 'countess dracula' she didnt drink any blood through out the whole movie, she was not a vampire, all she did was take her victims blood and put it on her body. This made her younger for a short period of time. I just didnt like the fact that they advertise the film as a vampire film when in fact it isnt.

What did you guys think of these two films?

[Richard Stuart]

I agree with you about The Vampire Lovers. Probably the most steamy/erotic Hammer Horror film. If you haven't already seen Twins of Evil and Lust for a Vampire, then I recommend them - these three films are loosely linked, although separate stories. TVL is probably my favourite of the three, though. (EDIT: I just read your review, where you mention TOE and LFAV)

Countess Dracula was pretty good. You're right about it having nothing to do with vampires or bloodsucking as such, as it's about Elisabeth Bathory, who bathed in the blood of young virgin women.

[Cushing]

The Vampire Lovers is probably the most understated of the Karnstein / Carmilla trilogy which incorporates Lust For A Vampire ( vastly inferior but great fun ) and Twins Of Evil which is my favourite .
It's expertly directed by Roy Ward Baker and comes across as one of the most romantic films ever made about vampires . Ingrid gives her career best performance and , of course , looks fantastic .

Countess Dracula is , in my opinion , equally as good a film . It's more of a historical drama with horrific scenes rather than a typical horror film . The character Ingrid plays was real and the events ( although highly dramatised ) took place . I've never seen it advertised as a vampire film . The title may have been misleading but i've always been aware of the story so I was'nt dissapointed .Plus , yet again , Ingrid revels in showing off her lovely body .

All in all it's an excellent double disc and well worth a purchase .

[skweemkween]

Possibly thee best double-feature DVD released yet. Really, what a bargain for two awesome Hammer films. Countess Dracula was one of my faves as a kid and back here in the states, it was NEVER on tv. Maybe once every 8 years. And of course my ex-husband screwed up the vhs the one time it was on while I was trying to tape it. Thank god for whomever is responsible for finally getting this out.

[spacemonkey]

Thanx for your replies, sorry I took a bit longer then usual to answer, I was sick with the flu..anyhows back to talking about horror movies!

Richard Stuart - Ill look into Twins of Evil since you mention its your favorite of the three, it must really be something since I really liked Vampire Lovers.

Cushing - Yeah, it was the title that got me to expect the movie to be about vampires. In my opinion they could given it some other title since it has nothing to do with Dracula.

Skweem - I also liked Countess Dracula, it was great and it had an involving story, I dont want to give the vibe that I didnt like it. Its just that the title was a bit misleading. But yeah, it was awesome as well. I liked the ending sequence in the wedding scene that was cool, she turned old in the worst place and the worst time!

Both of these were great. I enjoyed how they focused on making good stories with both of these films, they actually keep you hooked to see what will happen. Not only that but as seen in Vampire Lovers you get some likable villains.

The commentary on both of these was very interesting. Though it was kind of hard to sometimes make out what they were trying to say. Ingrid Pitt sounds like shes about a hundread years old on the commentary. I enjoyed their comments on Vampire Lovers, it was funny to hear Ingrid Pitt trying to cover her ass by saying that Vampire Lovers was not a lesbian movie...and then having Roy Ward Baker the director, correcting her saying that yes, this movie does in fact deal with Lesbian vampires.

Speaking of Roy Ward Baker, this dude is seriously beginning to become one of my favorite Hammer directors! Ive seen a few of his films and love them. Scars of Dracula is one of my favorite of the Lee films, and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires really really blew me away! This guy is great. After Terrence Fisher, Id say Roy Ward Baker would be in a very close second place!

[Cushing]

I enjoyed the commentaries as well . I know what you mean about Ingrid but let's not forget she has been very ill of late and had just recovered from a serious eye infection when she did the track . Add to that the fact that she's barking mad ( in the nicest way possible ) and her accent , it's understandable that some of the phrases are a little hard to hear .
I've met the great lady quite a few times now and it's always a thrill and a pleasure . She signed a photo of herself topless from The Vampire lovers whilst proudly stating " Oh ! look at my lovely breasts , were,nt they magnificent "
She got no argument from me .
I too am an admirer of Roy Ward Baker . Personally I think his best film for Hammer was his first " Quatermass And The Pit "
When I met Roy I told him how much I loved the film and that I thought his film " A Night To Remember " was the best version of the Titanic story ever filmed . He was extremely gracious and posed for photos before signing anything the fans threw at him .

Ps. Although Roy's recorded several commentaries now he has'nt heard any of them ........... he does'nt own a DVD player . He says he'll get around to buying one some time . That's optimism ....... the guy's in his 80's :D

[Richard Stuart]

Originally posted by spacemonkey
Thanx for your replies, sorry I took a bit longer then usual to answer, I was sick with the flu..anyhows back to talking about horror movies!

Richard Stuart - Ill look into Twins of Evil since you mention its your favorite of the three, it must really be something since I really liked Vampire Lovers.

Actually I said "TVL is probably my favourite of the three" - TVL of course meaning The Vampire Lovers. Cushing is the one who said he likes Twins of Evil the best. Anyway, Twins of Evil is definitely worth seeing - although bear in mind that there's hardly any nudity in this one - just one brief moment, if I remember correctly.

[spacemonkey]

Originally posted by Richard Stuart
Actually I said "TVL is probably my favourite of the three" - TVL of course meaning The Vampire Lovers. Cushing is the one who said he likes Twins of Evil the best. Anyway, Twins of Evil is definitely worth seeing - although bear in mind that there's hardly any nudity in this one - just one brief moment, if I remember correctly.

Oh, sorry about that.

And about the nudity, well I see it as a bonus, but its not really the main reason why I would go out and search Twins of Evil, or anyother horror film for that matter. What I really really dug about Vampire Lovers for example was the story and atmosphere. To top it all off Ingrid Pitt was great and sexy!

But yeah Ingrid Pitt showing us her twins does make the movie a heck of a lot cooler! :D

And Cushing dude, your really into Hammer stuff! I gots to hand it to you, you really know your shit. You seem to be really devoted to everything Hammer. I think you are the only person that I know that has done so much Hammer related stuff.

Like visiting sets, castles, The Wicker Man remains, talking to Christopher Lee and Ingrid Pitt among other things you havent told us. Thats very cool dude, just thought Id say that.

[Cushing]

Originally posted by spacemonkey
And Cushing dude, your really into Hammer stuff! I gots to hand it to you, you really know your shit. You seem to be really devoted to everything Hammer. I think you are the only person that I know that has done so much Hammer related stuff.

Like visiting sets, castles, The Wicker Man remains, talking to Christopher Lee and Ingrid Pitt among other things you havent told us. Thats very cool dude, just thought Id say that.

Thanks but I'm not alone in my quest for all things Hammer . Everytime I attend a book signing , premier or convention I get to meet likeminded individuals . Hammer still has lots of fans like me and it's a dream come true meeting the stars and visiting the locations . There have been many special moments but the day I visited Bray studios and met over 50 Hammer stars and directors has to be one of the best . That and , of course , meeting Christopher Lee ................ I'll shut up now before I start to ramble :rolleyes:

[spacemonkey]

Its not rambling dude, its actually interesting. Ive been keeping up to date with your posts and your pics and stories about meeting Lee and the such have been most interesting. Well for me anyway since I dont have a chance in hell to ever meet great legends such as Lee! Well unless I take a trip to the states or to England for it or something.

Hey I posted a Hammer related funny thing on the "put a schmoe in a movie" thread on general go and check it out.

[Cushing]

Ha Ha ! .......... I swear Spacemonkey , it's as if you know me . I would get a photo taken . I mean life's too short ;)