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Lust for a Vampire

Lust for a Vampire

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $17.98
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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Like the song says, a vampire movie about "Strange Love"
Review: "Lust for a Vampire" is the second and weakest effort in Hammer films' Karnstein vampire trilogy. The Count (Mike Raven) uses the blood of a peasant girl to revive his Carmilla (Yutte Stensgaard), who now a beautiful blonde and is enrolled in the girl's school next door to the castle, which sets up the erotic elements that define this series. Under the name of Mircalla (an anagram of Carmilla), the vampiress is desired by Richard Le Strange (Michael Johnson), who takes a teaching position at the school to be near her, Giles (Ralph Bates), a teacher fascinated with the occult, and even Susan (Pippa Steele), her roommate. What is interesting in this film is that Mircalla actually comes to love one of this trio....

Originally "Lust for a Vampire" was to have starred Peter Cushing (as Giles) and been directed by Terence Fisher, but an ailing wife and a car accident deprived the film of Hammer's two biggest talents. Overall the acting could be described as indifferent, but when your best scene is a moonlight swim, that is not exactly a key point. The romantic score by Harry Robertson stands out the most, besides the half-naked women, but even that is undercut by the film's most horrific moment when, during a moonlight encounter between Mircalla and her lover, a pop song entitled "Strange Love" is being sung. You will never find a funnier moment, intentional or otherwise, in all of the Hammer films. But don't let me stop you from looking.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Lust for a Vampire Movie
Review: A good adaption of story Carmilla. Hammer films decided to make a trio of lesbian vampire films, (this film, the Vampire Lovers, & Twins of Evil).

This is much better than Twins of Evil, & more explicit in its nudity & vampirism than the Vampire Lovers.

I remember seeing this on video in the early 1980s when my hormones were a popping - and thus it's always held a special place in my staked heart.

The major inconsistency with the plot is that at the vampire's vicitms scream when they are attacked at the beginning of the film, but by the end of the film the last victim's almost in orgasm as she's being attacked - did the vampire just get better at biting?

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: HAMMER EMBRACES THE DARK SIDE
Review: A poor follow-up to "The Vampire Lovers," no classic itself, "Lust for a Vampire" continues Hammer Sutidos' efforts to resurrect their vampire franchise with hopped up levels of sex and blood. Though based on J. Sheridan LeFanu's immortal novella "Carmilla," there's nothing literary about LFAV's script,which essentially meanders aimlessly from one lesbian vampire shot to the next until everything mercifully burns up at the end. Interminably paced, amateurishly written, and largely nonsensical as anything other than softcore cheesecake with a strong dash of blood, LFAV lacks even "The Vampire Lovers" strong cast to give it some buoyancy. Michael Johnson's writer/teacher is a pain, Yutte Stensgaard is more than attractive but totally unconvincing as a vampire, Mike Raven does a good Christopher Lee imitation but then disappears, and Ralph Bates, whose performance is certainly the best of the whole cast, doesn't have enough to do and vanishes too quickly.

It's a pity, because this could have been a good movie if it had only been taken in a different direction. The plot, background, and vampire movie experience are all there--Hammer just doesn't do anything with them.

"Lust For a Vampire" has more than its fair share of fans and I used to be one of them. Today it continues to appeal to red-blooded teen males of all ages despite its numerous shortcomings, largely because of its blood, nudity, and lesbian undertones. LFAV is surely light fare compared to many modern horror efforts, and looks like a model of restrained etiquette compared to some contemporary vampire films. But there are many better vampire films out there, such as the original "Nosferatu" or Bela Lugosi's "Dracula," not to mention Hammer's own "Horror of Dracula" or "Brides of Dracula." These are movies of class, distinction, imagination and mystery. Give one of those a try and I think you'll agree there's no comparison.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: HAMMER EMBRACES THE DARK SIDE
Review: A poor follow-up to "The Vampire Lovers," no classic itself, "Lust for a Vampire" continues Hammer Sutidos' efforts to resurrect their vampire franchise with hopped up levels of sex and blood. Though based on J. Sheridan LeFanu's immortal novella "Carmilla," there's nothing literary about LFAV's script,which essentially meanders aimlessly from one lesbian vampire shot to the next until everything mercifully burns up at the end. Interminably paced, amateurishly written, and largely nonsensical as anything other than softcore cheesecake with a strong dash of blood, LFAV lacks even "The Vampire Lovers" strong cast to give it some buoyancy. Michael Johnson's writer/teacher is a pain, Yutte Stensgaard is more than attractive but totally unconvincing as a vampire, Mike Raven does a good Christopher Lee imitation but then disappears, and Ralph Bates, whose performance is certainly the best of the whole cast, doesn't have enough to do and vanishes too quickly.

It's a pity, because this could have been a good movie if it had only been taken in a different direction. The plot, background, and vampire movie experience are all there--Hammer just doesn't do anything with them.

"Lust For a Vampire" has more than its fair share of fans and I used to be one of them. Today it continues to appeal to red-blooded teen males of all ages despite its numerous shortcomings, largely because of its blood, nudity, and lesbian undertones. LFAV is surely light fare compared to many modern horror efforts, and looks like a model of restrained etiquette compared to some contemporary vampire films. But there are many better vampire films out there, such as the original "Nosferatu" or Bela Lugosi's "Dracula," not to mention Hammer's own "Horror of Dracula" or "Brides of Dracula." These are movies of class, distinction, imagination and mystery. Give one of those a try and I think you'll agree there's no comparison.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Definitely worth a look
Review: Despite reading some negative reviews about this film I decided to give it a try..I'm glad I did! The Count Karnstein character is cheesy, but all the other parts are well-acted. Yutte Stensgaard is an absolute stunner as Mircalla and worth the price of admission herself! This film delivers in the usual Hammer tradition..great mood setting, solid acting, and beautiful women! Don't hesitate..buy this video!!!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Anchor Bay Does It Again
Review: Here is another excellant DVD from Anchor Bay. They have done marvelous things with this and other Hammer films. Lust for a Vampire, while not known as one of Hammers great films is in my opinion well worth the price of the DVD. Of course while Lee and Cushing would have made it all the better it is still one of the better, later Hammer films. My only problem with this picture is the silly song, Strange Love!!! Very distracting and totally uncalled for. Im hoping to see the other two in this trilogy,Vampire Lovers and Twins of Evil, offered on DVD soon.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Lust for a better Hammer film
Review: 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!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: TO LOVE A VAMPIRE(aka LUST FOR A VAMPIRE)
Review: I have a lot of favorite Vampire films...this is one.Starring the STUNNING danish beauty YUTTE STENSGAARD who replaced INGRID PITT(busy filimg COUNTESS DRACULA)..the story is very intersting as the trailer says "Welcome to the most exclusive finishing school where they really do FINISH YOU!"..Ralph Bates is an intersting choice as a last minute replacment for Peter Cushing, Jimmy Sangster did an a very good job..would have LOVED to see what Terrence Fisher(orignally slated to direct) would have done with it.I think if you like THE VAMPIRE LOVERS and TWINS OF EVIL you will like this film..coming out VERY soon on DVD!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Lust for Yutte Stensgard!!!
Review: If you're looking for a great plot or a classic Hammer movie then this really isn't for you. If, however, you get your kicks watching gorgeous blonde vampiresses draining their victims then they don't come much better. The first couple of vampire attacks are on cute girls - a buxom barmaid and a cute schoolgirl both in lovely low-cut period dresses. You also get the gorgeous Yutte Stensgard naked, and extended encounters between the vampiress and both male and female schoolteachers. For me, the high point is when the vampiress Mircalla hypnotises one of her victims and the camera shows the scene from the victim's viewpoint - if you're at all into erotic hypnosis I defy you to keep your hands away from your groin during this bit - you'll feel like she's enslaving you with her gaze. As I said, the plot is poor and the acting average at best but if you want to be the Slave of Mircalla or feel Lust for a Vampire this is the film for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Mircalla Karnstein has risen from the grave!
Review: It is the year 1830. Richard Le Strange, blue-blooded ladykiller and writer of supernatural potboilers travels the Continent in search of material for his next literary endeavour. He gets more than he had bargained for when he, through underhanded means, secures a teaching position at a school for young ladies and falls for the comely new arrival whose penchant for nude moonlight swims and too-intimate relations with her co-inmates hints at a secret more sinister than he would immediately have suspected. Tragedy ensues.

"Lust For a Vampire" is the second film in Hammer's Karnstein trilogy and the sequel to "The Vampire Lovers", itself an adaptation of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's short novel "Carmilla", which, incidentally, preceded and inspired Stoker's "Dracula" and still remains the best vampire tale ever written. "Lust..." is, as has already been said, generally thought to be the weakest in the aforementioned trilogy. Now, I haven't seen Part Three, "Twins of Evil", yet, but I happen to be of the heretical opinion that "Lust..." has qualities to recommend it. Even though "The Vampire Lovers" is tolerably faithful to Le Fanu's story, I was, upon first viewing it, deeply disappointed (its reputation had, I admit, raised my expectations to absurd levels); and although I've since had reason to relent in the severity of my censure somewhat, I still maintain that, of the two, "Lust..." is by far the more entertaining film. Of course it's shameless exploitation; of course it's kitschy, hackneyed and awkward; of course it doesn't make a whole lot of sense--but so what? If it's diverting, it's good, and this is very, very diverting indeed. The plot, what little there is of it, moves along briskly enough; the acting and dialogue doesn't make one cringe too much; the sets and period clothing look alright; and, lest we forget, the ethereal Yutte Stensgaard is one of the most preposterously attractive women ever to grace the silver screen. So... If you like your vampire tomfoolery charmingly old-fashioned and seasoned with a bit of naughtiness, visit beautiful old Styria, land of ancient Evil, excitable peasantry and plunging necklines.


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