Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

The Vampire Lovers Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 10, 2022

Repeated throughout the supplementary material on “The Vampire Lovers” Blu-ray is the strange state of Hammer Films entertainment as the 1960s came to a close. The studio once trusted in the power of gothic storytelling with emphasis on monster mayhem, but audiences were growing bored of the routine, demanding something different from a company that thrived on repetition. With adjustments made to the “X certificate” in 1970, Hammer was allowed to pursue some more adult avenues of escapism, with “The Vampire Lovers” merging genre interests with pronounced eroticism, delivering something a bit more risqué than previous productions.

Nudity doesn’t automatically create a more interesting picture, and this adaptation of Sheridan Le Fanu’s “Carmilla” doesn’t exactly jump off the screen. It’s a tale of vampirism and innocence corrupted, with bits and pieces of monster hunting added for flavoring, but the general pace of “The Vampire Lovers” is quite leisurely. Suspense is in short supply, as director Roy Ward Baker is more interested in the seductive ways of the endeavor, keeping star Ingrid Pitt in sultry/mystery mode as the primary troublemaker, embracing his chance to bring a new level of sexuality to a Hammer production. Performances are rigid but appreciable, and it helps to have Peter Cushing around for a supporting part, bringing some dramatic power to a movie that needs the boost.

“The Vampire Lovers” isn’t in a major hurry to detail a vampiric menace, largely sticking to the Hammer Films routine, which involves extensive discussions of evil instead of a grand showcase of horror. Baker gets in some gory shots, but the movie is more tell than show, working to examine relationships and motivations before action appears. The approach supports Pitt, who’s capable of holding attention with her screen presence, and moments of temptation and manipulation are effective (“Caution: Not for the Mentally Immature” reads a warning on the feature’s poster). The rest of the endeavor largely remains in neutral, expecting viewers to appreciate screen details, as the offering provides the usual blend of set-bound action and forest activity. “The Vampire Lovers” doesn’t push hard enough on elements of fright, failing to make something scary while laboring to generate eroticism.

For additional analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2013 Blu-ray review.

The Vampire Lovers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shout Factory originally released "The Vampire Lovers" in 2013, and they return to the title with a "New 4K scan of the original camera negative." The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation secures rich colors throughout, examining varied costuming choices, which often favor bright primaries and seductive hues. Sets retain their gothic appearance and weathered condition, and greenery is distinct. Skintones are natural. Detail reaches as far as possible, capturing textured displays of skin and fibrous outfits. Decorative additions are easily explored, and exterior distances are dimensional. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

As fans of the film have already reported, a brief shot of nudity during a bathing scene is missing from this Blu-ray presentation of "The Vampire Lovers," at the 32:03 mark.

The Vampire Lovers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a straightforward understanding of screen elements, leading with clear dialogue exchanges, which slip into more pronounced dubbing at times. Scoring cues are active, presenting a clean orchestral sound that's frequently excitable for suspense sequences, but never shrill. Sound effects register as intended.

The Vampire Lovers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features film historians Dr. Steve Haberman and Constantine Nasr.

• Commentary #2 features director Roy Ward Baker, actress Ingrid Pitt, and screenwriter Tudor Gates.

• Commentary #3 features film historians Marcus Hearn and Jonathan Rigby.

• Commentary #4 features the audio essay, "The Rapture of Cruelty: Carmilla in Classic Cinema," written by Dr. Steve Haberman and read by actress Madeline Smith.

• "New Blood: Hammer Enters the 70s" (26:23, HD) is a 2014 featurette, featuring interviews with BFI curator Jo Botting, professors IQ Hunter and Steve Chibnall, and authors Jonathan Rigby, Dennis Meikle, and Marcus Hearn. A discussion of Hammer's business position at the end of the 1960s is offered, with British moviegoing on the decline, requiring some new thrills to get people back into theaters. Going the exploitation route, Hammer enjoyed relaxed censorship rules and new distribution. An analysis of star Ingrid Pitt is presented, along with behind-the- scenes business. A visit to the Hammer Archive is included, studying a finished script and film stills.

• "Fangs for the Memories: Remembering 'The Vampire Lovers'" (24:32, HD) is an extended interview with author Jonathan Rigby, who walks through the production process for the 1970 film, analyzing early development, casting, and saucy material, highlighting Hammer's efforts to push the envelope to help attract an audience, inspiring the ire of some movie lovers.

• "Carnal Crimson: Kim Newman on the 'Carmilla' Legend" (19:06, HD) is an interview with the film historian, who details the state of Hammer Films in the 1960s, with their traditional moviemaking interests becoming stale to ticket-buyers. Newman discusses the leap to "The Vampire Lovers," delving into the specifics of the "Carmilla" story, and he provides an overview of story and casting for the 1970 release.

• "Madeline Smith: Vampire Lover" (20:33, HD) is a 2013 interview with the co-star of "The Vampire Lovers," who details her early career choices and eventual casting in the 1970 picture, which required some presentation work on her breast size to land the part. Smith shares details from the shoot, including her discomfort with nudity, and celebrates her co-stars and director Roy Ward Baker. Acting challenges are also dissected.

• "To Love a Vampire" (15:54, HD) returns to Madeline Smith for a 2021 update, and she basically repeats anecdotes from the earlier featurette. Some deeper career exploration is provided, and Smith's energy is infectious.

• Still Gallery (15:05) collects film stills, publicity shots, poster art, lobby cards, and newspaper ads.

• "Excerpts From 'Carmilla'" (12:06) is a 2003 reading of excepts from the original book, read by Ingrid Pitt.

• "Feminine Fantastique: Resurrecting 'The Vampire Lovers'" (9:56, HD) is a 2013 featurette that collects thoughts from a variety of historians, documentarians, and authors, exploring the adaptation of "Carmilla" and the state of Hammer Films during the production of "The Vampire Lovers."

• "Trailers from Hell" (2:35, HD) is an appreciation piece offering thoughts on "The Vampire Lovers" from filmmaker Mick Garris.

• Deleted Scene (1:22, HD) is a slightly extended version of the opening beheading sequence.

• Radio Spots (1:25) offer two commercials for "The Vampire Lovers."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:19, HD) is included.

The Vampire Lovers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hammer Heads are sure to get the most out "The Vampire Lovers," as the movie plays to the core fanbase, making sure to color inside the lines when it comes to production polish and performances. There's the novelty of watching the company inch their way out of hiding, showing renewed interest in displaying sex and nudity, but these pursuits aren't enough to shake the staleness out of the endeavor.