This is a very well done Hammer Gothic horror film, dealing with another witchfinder General, here played by Peter Cushing, and the very essence of evil even as he gives his glory to God over the people he tortures and kills. Then there's a castle of vampires who worship Satan by night, feeding on the blood of his innocent. So while other innocent people burn by the light of day thanks to Cushing, others find a different type of horror at night. The film surrounds Cushing's two nieces who arrived as his Wards, upsetting him because they are not honoring their father and mother who has passed away, wearing colorful outfits rather than the more appropriate black as Cushing believes they should.
I found the title an ironic metaphor because you get two horror stories in one film, and two forms of it. The twins are not just the two young women, but the film's underlying theme. Both are presented as equally vile, especially when they come to fight each other, and it's intriguing to see which one will triumph before destroying the other before being destroyed themselves. It is very sexual and violently bloody in nature, yet extremely classy in exploring its Gothic themes. As usual, Cushing plays his role with relish, while Dennis Price as the vampire plays his role with ketchup subbing for blood. I love how Cushing is so subtle in using his beliefs in fire and brimstone as a form of punishment rather than chewing the scenery as Christopher Lee or Vincent Price may have done. That makes this a very well worth seeking out Gothic horror film even that has a classic look to it even with its blatant sexuality subtly coming out here and there are within the film.
I found the title an ironic metaphor because you get two horror stories in one film, and two forms of it. The twins are not just the two young women, but the film's underlying theme. Both are presented as equally vile, especially when they come to fight each other, and it's intriguing to see which one will triumph before destroying the other before being destroyed themselves. It is very sexual and violently bloody in nature, yet extremely classy in exploring its Gothic themes. As usual, Cushing plays his role with relish, while Dennis Price as the vampire plays his role with ketchup subbing for blood. I love how Cushing is so subtle in using his beliefs in fire and brimstone as a form of punishment rather than chewing the scenery as Christopher Lee or Vincent Price may have done. That makes this a very well worth seeking out Gothic horror film even that has a classic look to it even with its blatant sexuality subtly coming out here and there are within the film.