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Lust for a Vampire

  • 1971
  • R
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
4K
YOUR RATING
Lust for a Vampire (1971)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer1:34
1 Video
99+ Photos
Folk HorrorVampire HorrorHorror

In 1830, forty years to the day since the last manifestation of their dreaded vampirism, the Karnstein heirs use the blood of an innocent to bring forth the evil that is the beautiful Mircal... Read allIn 1830, forty years to the day since the last manifestation of their dreaded vampirism, the Karnstein heirs use the blood of an innocent to bring forth the evil that is the beautiful Mircalla - or as she was in 1710, Carmilla.In 1830, forty years to the day since the last manifestation of their dreaded vampirism, the Karnstein heirs use the blood of an innocent to bring forth the evil that is the beautiful Mircalla - or as she was in 1710, Carmilla.

  • Director
    • Jimmy Sangster
  • Writers
    • Tudor Gates
    • Sheridan Le Fanu
  • Stars
    • Barbara Jefford
    • Ralph Bates
    • Suzanna Leigh
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jimmy Sangster
    • Writers
      • Tudor Gates
      • Sheridan Le Fanu
    • Stars
      • Barbara Jefford
      • Ralph Bates
      • Suzanna Leigh
    • 72User reviews
    • 70Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Lust for a Vampire
    Trailer 1:34
    Lust for a Vampire

    Photos136

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    Top cast34

    Edit
    Barbara Jefford
    Barbara Jefford
    • Countess Herritzen
    Ralph Bates
    Ralph Bates
    • Giles Barton
    Suzanna Leigh
    Suzanna Leigh
    • Janet Playfair
    Yutte Stensgaard
    Yutte Stensgaard
    • Mircalla…
    Michael Johnson
    • Richard Lestrange
    Helen Christie
    Helen Christie
    • Miss Simpson
    Mike Raven
    Mike Raven
    • Count Karnstein
    Christopher Cunningham
    • Coachman
    Harvey Hall
    Harvey Hall
    • Inspector Heinrich
    Michael Brennan
    • Landlord
    Pippa Steel
    • Susan Pelley
    Judy Matheson
    Judy Matheson
    • Amanda McBride
    Caryl Little
    • Isabel Courtney
    David Healy
    David Healy
    • Raymond Pelley
    Jonathan Cecil
    Jonathan Cecil
    • Arthur Biggs
    Erik Chitty
    Erik Chitty
    • Professor Herz
    • (as Eric Chitty)
    Jack Melford
    Jack Melford
    • Bishop
    Christopher Neame
    Christopher Neame
    • Hans
    • Director
      • Jimmy Sangster
    • Writers
      • Tudor Gates
      • Sheridan Le Fanu
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews72

    5.74K
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    Featured reviews

    8hammer-21

    "Lust...you will too after seeing Yutte as the vampire."

    The absolutely stunning Danish actress Yutte Stensgaard stars as the vampire seductress Mircalla in Hammer films part two of the "Carmilla Karnstein" trilogy. Not a great film but a worthy one for all Hammer/British horror film fans. Originally to be directed by the ace of gothic horror, Terence Fisher, he was injured in a car accident just days before filming started. A good/decent film from Jimmy Sangster, but one thinks of what it could have been in Fisher's hands. MUST viewing for all Yutte fans and fans to be.
    5bensonmum2

    I wish Hammer had made more films with Yutte!

    Lust for a Vampire is the second of Hammer's Karnstein films. While the first, The Vampire Lovers, was far from being great, it is a much better movie than this, the first sequel. The acting is weak, the male lead is very unsympathetic, Mike Raven comes across as a Christopher Lee wannabe, the sets are "too clean", and the plot is incredibly predictable. In all honesty, I've probably rated Lust for a Vampire too high. Other than a few good set pieces and Yutte Stensgaard, it's really doesn't have much going for it.

    Set Pieces - The scene of Carmilla's resurrection may be one of my favorites from any Hammer movie. It's a wonderful mix of blood, nudity, and some Satanic mumbo-jumbo. The sight of the half-naked Carmilla literally covered in blood is not one that is easily forgotten.

    Yutte Stensgaard - The best word I can think of to describe Stensgaard is "stunning". If she's in a scene, I defy anyone (at least any male) to not focus on her. She may not have been much of an actress, but as far as eye-candy goes, she's hard to beat.
    8meonksman

    Love for a Vampire....

    'Lust for a vampire' is the second film in the Karnstein Trilogy based on the novels by Sheridan le Fanu. The sequel to 'Vampire lovers' starring Ingrid Pitt, and prequel to 'Twins of Evil' starring playboy playmate twins Mary & Madeline smith, 'Lust for a vampire' was hindered in its production from the off set. Legendary Hammer director Terrence Fisher was forced to pull out and Peter Cushing was replaced by Ralph Bates in the lead role. Yutte Stensgaard plays the truly beautiful Mircalla, a lesbian vampire who is torn between her love for her teacher and her lust for blood. This film has a very cosy atmosphere very traditional of hammers work around the late sixties early seventies. The sets are reasonable and although highly criticised for her performance, Yutte does her job well.

    I could go on for pages but as an overview I would HIGHLY recommend this film even if it does dabble in as much romance as horror.
    Boodikka

    Lust Is There, Le Fanu Isn't!

    This definitely isn't the best Carmilla film (though the uncut version, unseen in the US, is highly erotic), yet it has a huge cult following largely due to the presence of Yutte Stensgaard. There are few one-hit wonder actresses in any genre who inspire such......lust. The edited US versions make this just another Hammer vampire film, the unedited version is definitely worth a look.
    7Hey_Sweden

    Sex and violence, Hammer style.

    "Lust for a Vampire" is the second film in Hammer Studios' "Carmilla" trilogy, also including "The Vampire Lovers" and "Twins of Evil". It's indicative of the direction in which the studio was heading during this time, playing up the sex appeal just as much as the horror content. It also has the added attraction of a tragic, different sort of love story. It's not prime Hammer, but it's certainly watchable, thanks to its blood letting, period atmosphere, and bevy of beautiful women.

    The nefarious Karnstein family resurrect the legendary Carmilla - or "Mircalla", in this instance - and she takes up residence at a girls' finishing school in 1830 Austria. Shortly thereafter, a successful author named Richard Lestrange (Michael Johnson) comes to the country, and contrives himself into a teaching position at the school. There he makes the acquaintance of a weak willed instructor, Giles Barton (Ralph Bates), and falls in love with Ms. Mircalla (ravishing blonde Yutte Stensgaard), while some of the local girls go missing.

    The title is very apt for this sort of story. The script by Tudor Gates is weak, and not all that interesting, while the direction of frequent Hammer screenwriter Jimmy Sangster is okay if not inspired. One major highlight is the Richard / Carmilla lovemaking scene, but many viewers will be just as happy with the topless shots of some of the actresses. Overall, this all feels pretty familiar, including the finale.

    The cast is good. Bates is amusing in a change of pace mousy part, complete with glasses and bad wig. Johnson is likable as the romantic lead. Suzanna Leigh has the right amount of spirit as school employee Janet Playfair. Barbara Jefford is commanding as the conniving Countess. Mike Raven, as the Count, was presumably hired due to a resemblance to Hammer regular Sir Christopher Lee, and he's just sort of there (he's even dubbed, by the distinctively voiced Valentine Dyall). Helen Christie, as ineffective headmistress Miss Simpson, and Harvey Hall, as the understandably angry Inspector Heinrich, are very fine in support.

    Viewers who've seen the other films in this trilogy will likely also enjoy this one.

    Seven out of 10.

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    Related interests

    Florence Pugh in Midsommar (2019)
    Folk Horror
    Tom Cruise and Indra Ové in Interview with the Vampire (1994)
    Vampire Horror
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While Mircalla is being resurrected, two closeups of the bloodshot eyes of Count Karnstein are not of Mike Raven, but are clearly actually the eyes of Christopher Lee, in a shot cut in from another movie, almost certainly Scars of Dracula (1970). It's probable that the insert was used because of the striking bloodiness of the eyes, coupled with Raven's close facial resemblance to Christopher Lee.
    • Goofs
      When the policeman goes down the well, he strikes a safety match. These did not exist in 1830 [ the date given in the film ]
    • Quotes

      Mircalla: [to Le Strange] What else do you want to know? If I'm a vampire?

    • Alternate versions
      For the original UK cinema release a BBFC cut was made which replaced a topless shot of Amanda with a partially covered one during the bed scene where she is bitten by Mircalla. Video releases were uncut though the 2002 Warner DVD curiously featured the edited cinema print. The 2008 Optimum DVD is the uncut version.
    • Connections
      Edited from Scars of Dracula (1970)
    • Soundtracks
      Strange Love
      Music by Harry Robertson (as Harry Robinson)

      Lyrics by Frank Godwin

      Performed by Tracy

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 2, 1971 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ataúd para un vampiro
    • Filming locations
      • Hunton Park, Essex Lane, Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, England, UK(exteriors Girls Finishing School)
    • Production company
      • Hammer Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 31m(91 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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