When one thinks of an influential vampire story, obviously it will always be Bram Stoker's Dracula that springs to mind; but much less well known is Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's novella 'Carmilla', which was published in 1872 and has influenced a whole host of films - everything in the 'lesbian vampire' sub-genre owes itself to this story. Aside from rubbish such as most of the films made by French director Jean Rollin, there are some very notable lesbian vampire movies; Daughters of Darkness, The Blood-Splattered Bride and Vampyres being the best among them. Blood and Roses is apparently the first 'faithful' film to be based on the novel. The plot focuses on the Karnstein family, who live in a big castle. We find out pretty early that there is a history of vampirism in the family. The main character is the beautiful young Carmilla; who is attracted to her cousin Leopold. However, Leopold is engaged to be married, leaving Carmilla bitter and jealous. Her jealousy leads her to an old tomb; apparently the resting place of her vampire relative, and soon the young girl is possessed by the vampire.
Before seeing this film, I was surprised that there aren't more films based directly on this classic book; but after seeing it, I'm actually not all that surprised. I haven't read the original source material, but I know that the story is not very long and as such there is not much to it. The result of that is a film that feels like it could have been more. I don't doubt that director Roger Vadim could have added more had he wanted to; there is certainly scope for a vaster story and the gap left by the fact that there isn't a lot of blood and lesbian activity is a real shame. The film does have its positive elements, however. The director succeeds in giving the film a surreal dreamlike atmosphere that compliments the story very well indeed. The acting is good enough, although the film does feature far too much talking. Annette Vadim (wife of the director) is striking in the lead role. Overall, this is an obscure film and while hardcore lesbian vampire fans may want to track it down for completion purposes; I really wouldn't recommend that anyone goes too far out of their way to get it as there are a lot of better films that are similar to this one.
Before seeing this film, I was surprised that there aren't more films based directly on this classic book; but after seeing it, I'm actually not all that surprised. I haven't read the original source material, but I know that the story is not very long and as such there is not much to it. The result of that is a film that feels like it could have been more. I don't doubt that director Roger Vadim could have added more had he wanted to; there is certainly scope for a vaster story and the gap left by the fact that there isn't a lot of blood and lesbian activity is a real shame. The film does have its positive elements, however. The director succeeds in giving the film a surreal dreamlike atmosphere that compliments the story very well indeed. The acting is good enough, although the film does feature far too much talking. Annette Vadim (wife of the director) is striking in the lead role. Overall, this is an obscure film and while hardcore lesbian vampire fans may want to track it down for completion purposes; I really wouldn't recommend that anyone goes too far out of their way to get it as there are a lot of better films that are similar to this one.