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"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.

Good film, really enjoyed when I watch the DVD over the weekend though one thing did spoil it, vampires walking in the daylight! Now I'm sure I didn't miss anything, I was paying attention but Mircalla was a really honest to god vampire, yet mincing around in the sunshine as she did she'd have been a crispy critter in 2 seconds.

Great movie, for all the usual Hammer reasons. I grew up watching the Hammer movies on TV in the 70's and despite the flaws in most of them they'll always be very dear to me. One might hope that with the advent of next gen DVD which will have more than enough capacity it would be nice to have all the Hammer horror movies on one disc. That, as they say would be cool!

"Lust for a Vampire" is the second in Hammer's Karnstein vampire trilogy.The other two were "The Vampire Lovers" and "Twins of Evil".Carmilla Karnstein is revived in a black magic ceremony and enrolls into an exclusive girls' school.Novelist Richard LeStrange is visiting the area in search of the truth behind the legends surrounding nearby Castle Karnstein and falls in love with Mircalla. "Lust for a Vampire" is definitely the weakest of the three films.It offers some moments of eroticism and Ralph Bates is excellent as the intensely creepy Barton.The story is thin,the film is cheap-looking and the pop song used in it 'Strange Love' is glaringly awful.However if you enjoy watching bare female bodies give it a try.7 out of 10.

Set in a much earlier era than usual, of all Hammer's productions 'Lust for a Vampire' thus takes place at a time far closer to 'Nosferatu' and it shows.

Director Jimmy Sangster was evidently familiar with Murnau's film and the 1931 Browning version (as is apparent from the shots of the castle and the Baron's coven of brides in diaphanous gowns).

That it was made in the seventies is only too apparent however from the big hair of the blonde young cuties who mostly resemble Playmates of the Month) and if they're virgins that's probably simply because they bat for the other side).

Sadly lacking in the usual repertory of Hammer supporting actors, Ralph Bates as the Renfield figure in a centre parting would't look out of place in an episode of the Benny Hill Show; while as the satanic Lord Karnstein Mike Raven (who's few lines are obviously dubbed) was plainly cast because of his extraordinary resemblance to Christopher Lee.

While the film looks great and the actresses are indeed beautiful, the film itself falls short on being scary at all. Ralph Bates is woefully used and Mike Raven does his best Christopher Lee impersonation, Yutte Stensgaard is indeed beautiful though and is probably the best thing about the whole thing, a missed opportunity as more blood would've made it a lot better.

Sometimes classic Hammer horror is genuinely creepy, sometimes it's overly campy. Sometimes the effects look great; sometimes their reach exceeds their grasp. If nothing else, one can generally rely on British horror to be entertaining in one capacity or another - and more particularly where this production company is concerned, the essential craft of the picture is consistently outstanding. Filming locations, sets, costume design, hair and makeup work, and music in Hammer's period flicks are exquisite and wonderful, doing much to keep viewers absorbed even if the overall result is mixed; so it is here. Rather as soon as it's begun 'Lust for a vampire' informs that it's more "cheesy fun-scary" than "earnestly scary-scary," and an impression begins to form almost immediately. What readily comes across is that the craft and the narrative concept is solid, and much of 'Lust for a vampire' otherwise is a tad curious. I certainly enjoy this, for my part, but I do understand the view that it's too kitschy for its own good.

The scene writing, and Jimmy Sangster's direction, both seem to lean towards the ham-handed instead of the sincere. This is exemplified in, among other things, the setting of a girls' finishing school, very exposing outfits, and plainly gratuitous nudity. While Harry Robinson's score is for the most part fine, if not necessarily remarkable, some music cues are decidedly overdone; the employment here of the original song 'Strange love" raises a skeptical eyebrow. Moreover, some specific shots and inclusions are outright cheesy, such as those instances in which an actor looks directly into the camera; for that matter, some of the acting is likewise less than believable, as though Sangster were guiding the production in the sphere of comedy as much as horror. Even the editing and pacing feels a little strained in this same capacity. Needless to say, even as we're given a feast for the eyes, and the story occupies steady territory of vampires, supernatural goings-on, and mystery, 'Lust for a vampire' perhaps has difficulty in fully striking a single tone.

Horror buffs and purists may find themselves rebuffed by the conglomeration of ideas and moods the picture boasts, to an effect that is less than perfectly convincing. For those open to all the weird and wonderful variety that cinema has to offer, however: though it's flawed, I think this is joyously entertaining. The film is many things, yet it's not poorly made. Peculiar as some conflicting feelings are - horror, comedy, drama, even romance - the execution seems intentional and precise even as it fails to land, rather than be totally accidental or sloppy. At least for me, that 'Lust for a vampire' is pointedly uneven as it presents doesn't wholly diminish the fun that can be had in taking it at face value. It would have benefited from a more uniform approach to all facets, to be sure; characters, scenes, and dialogue are robbed of the intensity they could otherwise possess, and one way or another it's impossible to take the feature seriously. So it goes, however, and I like it all the same.

Suffice to say this is a Hammer title that won't appeal to all comers. It's a suitably well-made mishmash, but a mishmash all the same; to that point, one that's heterogeneous, not homogeneous, and it does feel overlong as it goes on. I enjoyed it, and am glad that I watched, but I freely admit that I'll watch just about anything. The viewer who is open to gauche amusement in their horror flicks will be the one to get the most out of 'Lust for a vampire'; take that as you will.

Gothic horror movie set in 1830, centred around a boarding school for girls, a village and a derelict vampire's castle. The beautiful Yutta Stensgaard plays a resurrected blood sucker, she looks fantastic as do the other girls, however for some silly reason she is able to function during the day and walk around in sunlight which goes against vampire lore. Ralph Bates makes another Hammer appearance but unlike his cocky and confident Dr Jekyll or Frankenstein he plays a very geeky character, great actor and always a joy to watch. DJ Mike Raven plays one of the bad guys, he looks the part however comes across as a cheap Christopher Lee. Lust is very atmospheric and the film has plenty of female nudity, this was Hammer's second entry in their Karnstein trilogy, Twins of Evil for me being by far the best. One memorable thing about Lust is the inclusion of a song called Strange Love, I don't recall Hammer doing this for any of their other horror films, personally I'm not convinced that it was a good idea.

1970's "Lust for a Vampire" (the working title "To Love a Vampire" later became its TV title) came second in the loose Hammer trilogy based on Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's 1872 story "Carmilla," formally adapted a few months earlier as Roy Ward Baker's "The Vampire Lovers," spiced up with nude lesbian love scenes and veterans like Peter Cushing and Douglas Wilmer. Cushing also headlines the finale from 1971, John Hough's "Twins of Evil," generally regarded as the best of the three as it pits Cushing's hypocritical witch hunting sect against the Satanic practices of Damien Thomas' Count Karnstein. In between this sequel has long languished in obscurity as the neglected middle child, Cushing forced to bow out due to his wife's ailing health, original director Terence Fisher's broken leg allowing Jimmy Sangster to take the reins even before the release of his debut "The Horror of Frankenstein." In place of Cushing was Sangster's buddy and fellow prankster Ralph Bates, partners in disparaging this film from the start, and the inclusion of Tracy's theme song "Strange Love" had much to do with that, a bit overlush but not so bad as one might think ("The Lost Continent," "Straight on Till Morning," and Susan George's "Fright" were also saddled with unlikely theme songs). Perhaps as a backlash to the lesbian relationship between Ingrid Pitt's Mircalla Karnstein and Madeline Smith's comely victim this film shifts its focus from Mircalla Karnstein to wandering writer Richard Lestrange (Michael Johnson), who takes one look at Yutte Stensgaard's Mircalla and finds himself in the understandable grip of 'Lestrange Love' (sorry, couldn't resist). Considering this was her lone Hammer credit, Yutte proves herself to be one of the studio's most captivating finds, a Danish model soon to give up a career of mostly decorative roles, her unforgettable presence and luminous beauty for once granted a deserving showcase. Lestrange is eager to finagle himself into a girls' school to be closer to this new student, revived from her skeletal state by Count Karnstein (Mike Raven) and Countess Herritzen (Barbara Jefford), kicking off a rash of fatal seductions involving schoolgirls and even history teacher Giles Barton (Ralph Bates), whose knowledge of Karnstein history cannot spare him from Mircalla's wrath. Lestrange proclaims his undying devotion to the voluptuous vampire, surprisingly responding in a dreamlike, tearful state, allowing him to make love to her in a most pleasing way, playfully biting her lover in gentle appreciation. Her performance in this one sequence is a major reason why the picture's reputation continues to rise, the script ultimately failing to delve deeper into this living/undead relationship, plus we're never quite certain Mircalla is able to think for herself when not completely under the evil Karnstein influence. At least the revealing gowns aren't enough to cover the delights once hidden from view, more boobs than blood on display until the fiery finale brought on by ye olde torch bearing villagers. Neither daring enough to expand a promised affair between supernatural beauty and human horndog, nor sexy enough to deliver the salacious details promised in the lurid title, first time viewers may come away disappointed, left wanting more of Yutte Stensgaard as would all moviegoers in general as her career came to a stop. Director Jimmy Sangster never intended to do a Hitchcock like cameo, but in the climactic sequence when the vampire coachman drives toward the village mob from a first person perspective you can clearly see Sangster and his camera crew on the left, one final bit of amusement in one of the studio's least celebrated efforts.

If you want to see this picture bearing in mind the top billing cast, l so sure you'll to prepare yourself for an unforreseen surprise, in this second Karnstein's tale there are many gourgeous women at School young girls nearby the famous clastle ruins from Karnstein family, you must forget all major casting and pay attention on very special newcomer Yutte Stensgaard who with his peerless beauty stolen the show entirely, the picture is eyewash to the eyes, intriguing, lust and bold, a minor flaw shall be share, the character of Count Karnstein resembles Christopher Lee with few lines only, fine piece of art from Hammer!!

Resume:

First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25

Lust For A Vampire is the 2nd film in Hammer's Karnstein trilogy. Although, it is definitely the least of the 3, it still is very enjoyable and has a lot going for it. The story and editing is pretty choppy and incoherent at times and is the least well made of all three films. However, the period costumes and the Hammer sets look great and that is not all that looks great...lots of gorgeous gals lead by the stunning beauty Yutte Stensgaard as leading vampire vixen Mircalla. Spooky atmosphere, naked breasts and(for the time period) pushing the envelope on blood and gore, this unfairly maligned movie delivers the goods. A bit more trashy than most of Hammer's previous output and a little less cohesive, I still found a lot to enjoy with this erotic horror classic. Had this been directed by Terrance Fisher as originally intended this probably would have came out better. Even though last minute director Jimmy Sangster slams the finished product, it is not nearly as bad as he would lead you to believe. If the production was not so rushed, the finished product would have been better. Taking those factors into consideration, Lust For A Vampire aged pretty well and I still like it a lot despite some of its flaws.

In 1830, a writer (Michael Johnson) visits a village in the shadow of the diabolic Karnstein Castle in Austria whereupon he decides to teach at a nearby female school after meeting a lovely new pupil (Yutte Stensgaard). Another student (Pippa Steel) and the headmaster (Ralph Bates) are also enamored by Mircalla. What is the secret of her magnetism? Could she be the reincarnation of Countess Carmilla Karnstein, who died in 1710? Christopher Lee lookalike Mike Raven is on hand as sinister Count Karnstein.

"Lust for a Vampire" (1971) takes place forty years after the events of the previous film, "The Vampire Lovers," released the previous year. These movies were loosely based on Irish novelist Sheridan Le Fanu's "Carmilla," which was published in 1872, predating Bram Stoker's "Dracula" by 25 years. Hammer's 'Karnstein trilogy' is completed by the prequel "Twins of Evil" (1971).

Blonde Dane Yutte Stensgaard is noticeably younger than Ingrid Pitt, who played Mircalla in the previous movie (and was offered the role here); Yutte was 24 during shooting while Ingrid was 32. There are, unsurprisingly, several fetching females due to the milieu, not to mention some top nudity (just a heads up).

While Ralph Bates called it "one of the worst films ever made," all three in the trilogy are of about the same quality, although "The Vampire Lovers" is the most popular for obvious reasons (the overt sapphism, which is toned down here and in "Twins"). I think Bates didn't like it because of his sniveling character, Giles Barton, who plays second fiddle to the dashing protagonist (Johnson).

Producers insisted on including the pop song "Strange Love," performed by Tracy, after the success of "Rain Drops Keep Fallin' on My Head" in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969). As far as I'm concerned, it fits the scene of the movie and isn't jolting like "Rain Drops" in "Butch Cassidy."

In some ways, "Lust for a Vampire" is reminiscent of later movies "The Wicker Man" (1973) and "Picnic at Hanging Rock" (1975) due to the progressive girl's school, just with the addition of Gothic vampirism.

The film runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot at Elstree Studios outside London to the north. The finishing school is located a little further northwest at Hunton Park.

GRADE: B-/B.

I won't go into a lot of detail (as so many reviewers did) but I'll bring up something that others may not be aware of. While the writers goofed by having one of the villagers say that vampires must return to their coffins at night, it wasn't a mistake to have them appear during the day. Anyone who read Bram Stoker's "Dracula" may remember that Count Dracula was able to be out in the daylight. It was only when the story went onscreen that they added this vampire "fact" that they stay in their coffins during daylight. So Mircalla/Marcilla/Camilla/whoever being up and about during the day was not an error.

That being said, I think Yutte Stensgaard was great in the role, playing the sweet student and the vampire killer with equal skill, without overplaying either persona.

Ralph Bates was also good as the schoolmaster/wannabee disciple of Satan whose obsessive longing for Mircalla and desire to serve her doesn't turn out like he'd hoped.

What's really intriguing is the film's reversal of the usual vampire tale, where the young woman is menaced by the male vampire (the bad boy) while her loving suitor (the nice guy) tries to save her from her fate. Here, it's the young man, Richard Lestrange (Michael Johnson, who I think rather enjoyed playing this role) who falls for the female vampire (the bad girl) while schoolteacher Janet (Suzanna Leigh) is the good girl hoping to bring him back to his senses.

And that song "Strange Love" playing while Richard and Mircalla do the deed (no neck biting involved) was haunting, and a perfect choice, as their love is indeed strange!

Despite her wicked deeds (like her penchant for biting and killing off pretty girls), you get the impression Mircalla was really falling for Michael, which gives the ending real poignancy.

And I liked that crusading bishop!

Really worth checking out!