Vampyres (1974) User Reviews

The film you WANT them to make

[Fuzzbomb · 7/10 · 12 August 2003]

Have you ever been bored of either the pathetic shot-on-video goth fantasies that seem to clog up the shelves, or even good old Jess Franco's cool but boring sleaze epics? This film is pretty much alone in the Lesbian Vampire genre in that it has real zeal - the girls really seem to get into their roles and the result is the most erotic non-porn feature I've ever seen. Excellent stuff.

Who'd a thunk it...?

[boolamoola · 6/10 · 5 July 2004]

Okay...this film's not for everyone. It's filled with 70's-style Euro-trash lesbian and hetero sex, loads of gore, and was shot in three weeks on a rather, ahem...modest budget, by a director who could barely speak English. The script was probably 30 pages long. But there's something afoot here. It's not un-artful, it has flashes of real chills, and it's dripping in subtext, something today's Jason/Freddy/et.al. films sorely lack. The relationship between the male protagonist, who suspects the woman making love to him is a vampire, and the vampire herself, who chooses to slowly drain him of blood rather than kill him outright like her other victims, is bizarrely moving (and kinky) on a few levels. This film won't make you forget, say, the Christopher Lee Hammer films...but it will be hard to forget in and of itself and for its own hard-earned merits.

Darkness: The Vampyre Version

[Tromafreak · 7/10 · 12 January 2009]

Murder, mystery, and a soft-core vampire lesbian scene, all in the first sixty seconds. Alright, I'm just going to say it right here and now, I'm giving this one a ten. Our story begins in a dark, eerie castle in England. Inside, two hot ladies are loving on each other, the party is soon spoiled, by a mysterious figure, who shoots them dead. Now, after the title, we get the idea that it's years later, and for whatever reason, the hot ladies, Fran and Miriam, are now hot vampyres, hot vampyres who hitch rides on the side of the country road, only to lure their victims back to their lair, in the castle, to be loved on, and of course, to be drained of all blood. We got sex scenes, bloody, erotic killings, Pleasant, country scenery, and some more sex scenes, I do believe this is my all-time favorite British Horror film. Vampyres is amazing on many different levels. Our two leading ladies, are portrayed brilliantly by Marianne Morris and Anulka Dziubinska, and the subtle score is positively haunting. In this film, the atmosphere rules, it really feels like you're witnessing a dream, at least on VHS it does, not so much on DVD. That roaring sound, along with the overcast sky is just captivating. Yet another fine example of a low-budget adding to the horror vibe. One of the many problems with todays horror is that they lay everything out for you, leaving nothing for the imagination, that is not the case with Vampyres, if anything, they leave out too much, several occurrences are never explained at all, which, would probably irritate most, but if looked at it the right way, should just keep you on your toes. Ultimately, Vampyres is just beautiful, grim horror for true fans of the genre, which also happens to include some really decent sex scenes. Especially recommended to those who prefer their horror dark and hot. Jess Franco never did anything half this good. 10/10

A 1970s erotic vampire classic. If you enjoy Jess Franco and Jean Rollin you will LOVE it!

[Infofreak · 9 November 2003]

If you like 1970s erotic vampire movies then you will LOVE Jose Larraz's 'Vampyres'! It's as good as the best Jess Franco or Jean Rollin movies in this genre. It's very low budget (on the DVD commentary track producer Brian Smedley-Aston claims it was only around 80,000 pounds, and he should know, he mortgaged his house to pay for it when the financing fell through!), but looks great, especially the new print on the disc I watched. Like Franco and Rollin Larraz isn't all that interested in plot as such, more atmosphere and eroticism, and this movie has it in spades. The gorgeous Marianne Morris (brunette) and Anulka (blonde) play a couple of very hot vampires who between seducing men and draining their blood, share a passionate relationship. There's plenty of nudity, especially from the stunning Morris, and some very erotic scenes, though Larraz was constrained by the British censorship of the day. There's also quite a lot of blood, and the sex/violence combo makes it quite special. The DVD commentary is highly recommended, even if you're familiar with the movie. Larraz's English is shaky but he is absolutely hilarious! After commenting that the version of the movie he owns is heavily cut ("the Vatican version" he jokingly calls it) he gasps with glee at some of the racier scenes, and gets particularly animated when Anulka's pubes are briefly seen on screen. I'm very glad he enjoys his own movie as much as I did. 'The Vampire Lovers', 'Fascination', 'Vampyros Lesbos' are all outstanding examples of 1970s vampire sexploitation. Add 'Vampyres' to that list!

Two gorgeous Vampyres coerce unsuspecting drivers to their castle for a good time , being well realized by the Spanish director Jose Ramon Larraz

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 2 May 2014]

In 1974 director José Ramón Larraz released this blood-soaked erotic film called Vampyres , which told the story of a lesbian vampire couple who would waylay and kidnap various passers-by, both male and female, to take them captive at their luxurious rural manor . British terror movie about two Vampyre women who cause dreadful murders , being originally directed by the Spanish craftsman Jose Ramon Larraz . This horror as well as semi-exploitation movie deals with a lesbian vampire couple (Marianne Morris , Anulka) abducts motorists and drivers , (Murray Brown , Brian Deacon , Michael Byrne) , to hold them at their large mansion in the English countryside in order to kill and feed on them to satisfy their insatiable thirst for chew their blood . Their starving wishes seem to carry out terrible deaths , which are impossible to stop . As they feed them wine, have passionate sex, and then stab them to death while drinking their blood . The alluring female Vampyres shared the pleasures of the flesh , bloody hungry , and the horrors of the grave . They unleash their fantastic skills and become even more violent and sadistic . A couple that has not yet found a place to park their camper attempts to find out the rare events leading to an old mansion in bloody results which end in death .

This frightening movie deliberately told contains thrills , chills , suspense , sleazy images and lots of violence and gore , including obnoxious killings . Jose Ramon Larraz master of arty gore and soft-core , brings this ghastly and stylish story plagued with eerie intrigue , nudism and depraved gore murders executed in a luxury mansion ; in fact , the house is Oakley Court, used for exteriors in several Hammer films , and for The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) , it was later turned into a resort hotel . It is a straight horror film that features gallons of sleaze upon sleaze and a lot of sexualised violence . The screenplay is credited to Diana Daubeney, director José Ramón Larraz's wife Diana ; according to Larraz and producer Brian Smedley-Aston , she didn't actually write a word of it . She was credited because, as a British citizen, she filled a UK production quota . This is an English exploitation from Hammer Vampyres vein , as Jose Larraz takes here and there from ¨The Vampire Lovers" , ¨Carmilla¨, ¨Countess Dracula¨, and ¨Twins of Evil¨ , among others . Sometimes weak screenplay is added to well-staged murders and some gory special effects . Furthermore , a scary and thrilling musical score creates a real terror . Colorful cinematography in Hammer style with glimmer as well as lurid colors .

This much-loved 70s shocker was professional and stylistically directed by Jose Ramon Larraz . The recently deceased (2013) Larraz started in cinema world by casual way when he meets the famous director Josef Von Stenberg running a cinematographic course in Brussels . Larraz was a director of horror and erotic films and former comic book illustrator and fashion photographer . Worked in England as Joseph Larraz, and in Spain, using the pseudonym Joseph Braunstein . Larraz subsequently shot horror classics , cult obscurities, euro-trash , and even some sexploitation . As he filmed his first movies in England , plenty of terror , suspense and sex , such as ¨Whirlpool¨ (1970) , ¨Deviation¨(1971) , ¨La Muerte Incierta¨(1972) , ¨Scream or die¨(1973) and ¨Symptoms¨ with Angela Pleasence and Peter Vaughan . He also shot soft-cores and then Jose Ramon returns Spain filming horror and semi-exploitative movies such as ¨Estigma¨ , ¨Ritos Sexuales Del Diablo¨, ¨Al Filo del Hacha¨ and ¨Descanse en Piezas¨ , imitating the American Slashers of the 70s and 80s . His most successful film is this ¨Vampyres¨ about bloodsuckers who get victims to pull over hitchhiking , played by Playboy young models with sexy bodies , blending arty house , horror and erotic situations .¨Vampyres¨ rating : Acceptable and passable terror movie . Most hardcore Euro horror fans will appreciate the kinkiness of this film as that is what gives it its distinctive flavour .

See it or don't...you won't feel any better or worse afterward.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 7/10 · 17 May 2005]

This movie doesn't leave an awfully big impression but it still is some good fun for the fans of the horror genre and vampire genre in particular.

The movie has a splendid visual atmosphere which is mainly thanks to the beautiful English countryside. Yes sir, the English countryside still looks better than any other average Hollywood set for a movie from the same genre. Also the atmosphere of the movie in general is typical British, so I can truly recommend this movie if you're fan of the old Hammer movies and stuff like that. Even though the movie never really gets scary, it still knows to create a certain creepy atmosphere. Also the movie is filled with some good graphic gory scene's, which worked well for the movie and its atmosphere.

The story is just as thin as the ladies clothes. The are quite a few things that don't make an awful lot of sense and there are some moments that the movie just drags on for far too long, such as all the erotic scene's, which only all felt totally pointless.

I am also ashamed to admit that I actually rather liked the unusual musical score by James Kenelm Clarke.

All in all it is a movie that is worth seeing but granted that you have to be a fan of the genre to be able to appreciate this movie. And hey, it has got Michael Byrne in it, better known as über-Nazi Vogel from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"! Another reason why this movie is perfectly watchable.

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Interesting

[GroovyDoom · 6/10 · 12 February 2004]

Disjointed narrative traces the frolicking of two nubile female vampires. They waft along English country roads near their castle, dressed in shawls and other flowing garments like Stevie Nicks, and lure passersby back to their mansion with promises of sex. They then bite them and lap up their blood. Yes, true believers, it could happen to you (and no doubt, some of you wish it would).

Probably better than any of the slipshod Jess Franco/Jean Rollin pictures, this one is based on the viewer's desire to see its lead vampire vixens in the nude and rolling around with each other, as well as third parties who don't stay warm for very long. Other than this, there is very little plot at all, save for an unfortunate American couple who happen to be camping on the grounds of the vampyres' estate. Soon enough they are targeted by the vamps, and .... well, SOMETHING happens, and that's the end. Told you there wasn't much plot.

Some startling violence and an overall feel of the old Hammer Films productions make this interesting viewing for those who aren't easily offended by sex and violence. Otherwise, you'd better be into lots of lesbian softcore porn, or you'll be bored stiff.

Bosoms and bloodshed in appealing exploitation package

[Libretio · 4/10 · 4 March 2005]

VAMPYRES

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: Mono

A motorist (Murray Brown) is lured to an isolated country house inhabited by two beautiful young women (Marianne Morris and Anulka) and becomes enmeshed in their free-spirited sexual lifestyle, but his hosts turn out to be vampires with a frenzied lust for human blood...

Taking its cue from the lesbian vampire cycle initiated by maverick director Jean Rollin in France, and consolidated by the success of Hammer's "Carmilla" series in the UK, Jose Ramon Larraz' daring shocker VAMPYRES pushed the concept of Adult Horror much further than British censors were prepared to tolerate in 1974, and his film was cut by almost three minutes on its original British release. It isn't difficult to see why! Using its Gothic theme as the pretext for as much nudity, sex and bloodshed as the film's short running time will allow, Larraz (who wrote the screenplay under the pseudonym 'D. Daubeney') uses these commercial elements as mere backdrop to a languid meditation on life, death and the impulses - sexual and otherwise - which affirm the human condition.

Shot on location at a picturesque country house during the Autumn of 1973, Harry Waxman's haunting cinematography conjures an atmosphere of grim foreboding, in which the desolate countryside - bleak and beautiful in equal measure - seems to foreshadow a whirlwind of impending horror (Larraz pulled a similar trick earlier the same year with SYMPTOMS, a low-key thriller which erupts into a frenzy of violence during the final reel). However, despite its pretensions, VAMPYRES' wafer-thin plot and rough-hewn production values will divide audiences from the outset, and while the two female protagonists are as charismatic and appealing as could be wished, the male lead (Brown, past his prime at the time of filming) is woefully miscast in a role that should have gone to some beautiful twentysomething stud. A must-see item for cult movie fans, an amusing curio for everyone else, VAMPYRES is an acquired taste. Watch out for silent era superstar Bessie Love in a brief cameo at the end of the movie.

A primal, hypnotic vampire story

[Leofwine_draca · 9/10 · 26 November 2016]

If you're looking for a visually impressive vampire film in the spirit of DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS but with much more sex and violence, then you've come to the right place. VAMPYRES is a classic film of the seventies, replete with excellent crisp photography and fine direction from Jose Ramon Larraz. A nice sense of impending doom and perversity runs throughout the film until the final devastating climax where nobody is spared from the horrors. If you're looking for a film which ties up all of the plot threads in nice neat explanations, then you've come to the wrong place. VAMPYRES offers up no answers, only questions.

As a film almost totally devoid of plot, you'd be forgiven for thinking this might be pretty boring and incomprehensible. It's not. It's difficult to describe how this film works, only to say that to understand it you must see it. There's some spellbinding, hypnotic quality to the vampire ladies which somehow connects to the viewer. Once you've seen them, you'll never forget them, as they're that spooky. This isn't really a scary film, but more of a sombre, haunting one which builds up plenty of atmosphere and style in between each "action" scene.

The nudity level is extremely high in this film, effectively beating the trilogy of Hammer's lesbian vampire films at their own game. High, too, is the blood level, with some really wince-inducing vampire moments which will have you averting your eyes if you dislike the sight of blood, as it just looks so damn realistic here. Especially the horrible bits where the vampires lick and drink blood from a cut on a man's arm...it doesn't bear thinking about, and I'm not normally squeamish. While there might be something of a repetitive nature to the film (vampires seduce victim, vampires kill victim, and so on...) each new scene is handled afresh in a way which never becomes boring.

Of the two vampires, Marianne Morris is the most alluring, while the oddly-named Anulka the most frightening. Both women convey well their lust-filled diet of sex and blood in the many erotic scenes of the film, using their physical presence for maximum effect, both picked for their attractive yet odd appearances. The rest of the cast are all good in their roles too, giving performances which make their characters realistic and believable, especially the unfortunate woman who falls victim to their advances at the last minute. This may well be the final word on lesbian vampires. With beautiful scenery, plenty of heavy atmosphere, and some of the strongest images ever put on film, this is a truly wonderful movie.

Feels more chilling than pure horrifying...and not as bad.

[emm · 6/10 · 8 February 1999]

If you're thinking about working the midnight oil, don't. Showcasing the "femme fatale" category comes this European cult classic, and I'm glad to find it better than most....as long as it's not an action-adventure feature filled with lurid junk. Sex and eroticism aside, the feminist vampire idea actually works and does deliver extensive chills to make it worth the late-night shift. As horrifying as it sounds, it is effectively bloody and doesn't keep you away from the occuring eroticism. While we have the sensation of being in the dark and shivering in our seats, the movie sometimes doesn't know where to turn. A lot of wandering around creates confusion and lessens the full feeling of eeriness. I'm not sure if you've seen the Hammer movies, and neither have I, but there's enough in VAMPYRES to satisfy your blood-curled taste for fear. I'd be dead wrong to hate movies that have loads of sex. This one counts, and because it has the right type of atmosphere. Good for its kind.

Dull, slow-paced horror with a couple of decent moments of horror

[tomgillespie2002 · 4/10 · 22 November 2013]

One of the most popular exploitation sub-genre's in the 1970's was the lesbian vampire flick. It was hinted at as far back as the 1930's, using Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's novel Carmilla as their primary influence, but not fully embraced until the late 1960's by Hammer Studios. As censorship wavered and the grindhouse circuit was born, films became more exploitative and the European low-budget film industry became flooded with movies by film-makers like Jess Franco. Spanish director Jose Ramon Larraz's UK-set Vampyres is one of the most fondly remembered. But, as those familiar with grindhouse movies will be fully aware, that doesn't mean it's particularly good.

In an old mansion isolated in the woods, lesbian vampire couple Fran (Marianne Morris) and Miriam (Anulka Dziubinska) stalk the surrounding area in search of men to prey upon. They take the men back to their mansion, kill and feed on them, and then leave their bodies by the side of the road in their crashed car. A young couple, John (Brian Deacon) and Harriet (Sally Faulkner), park their camper on the mansion grounds. Harriet notices strange behaviour from the vampire couple and witnesses the physical deterioration of Ted (Murray Brown), a young man taken in by Fran.

Shot at Oakley Court, location of many a Hammer horror and Dr. Frank N. Furter's castle in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Vampyres has that lush British old-school horror feel about it. The problem is, it feels like a fifty-minute film stretched out into ninety minutes, full of endless walks, curious glances, inane conversations and dull erotic scenes. When the horror does come, it doesn't hold back on the blood, featuring a couple of quite unsettling scenes of violence. It just takes so long to get there that it hardly feels worth the wait.

There is also a gaping plot-hole in Fran and Miriam's approach of staging the murders as car accidents, which becomes ridiculous after we see Fran stab a victim in the back. They wait for their victims by hitch-hiking in broad daylight, and are even seen doing so by Harriet as the couple approach the castle. Just how long would it take for the police to put two and two together as the bodies quickly pile up? However, it's surprisingly well-acted, especially by the seductive Marianne Morris, whose scenes are all the more erotic when she keeps her clothes on, and the cinematography, reminiscent of Hammer, is lovely.

www.the-wrath-of-blog.blogspot.com

Creepy masterpiece of erotic horror.

[HumanoidOfFlesh · 10/10 · 19 November 2004]

Jose Ramon Larraz's "Vampyres" is easily one of the best erotic horror movies ever made.This is surely a cult classic and should be treated with respect.A pair of sexy bisexual vampires played by Marianne Morris and Anulka live in an abandoned castle.Both stunning beauties lure passing motorists to their lair."Vampyres" is a very remarkable horror film that perfectly mixes creepy atmosphere with delicious sleaze.There is also a nice amount of blood and gore,so I was pleased.The acting is great and the sex scenes are truly arousing.There is nothing overtly supernatural about the 'vampyres' for example they lack fangs and go about freely in daylight.So if you are a fan of erotic horror you can't miss this masterpiece.10 out of 10.

Be careful what you wish for

[lastliberal · 7/10 · 6 June 2008]

Unlike the classy and sophisticated Daughters of Darkness, this film is pure eroticism and carnage.

Two sapphic vampires troll the country roads and lure unsuspecting men looking for carnal pleasures to their lair. After ferocious lovemaking, they are devoured for their blood.

One, an oenophile, couldn't believe his luck in finding, not only two gorgeous women, but a 50-year-old wine to add to his pleasure. But the pleasure was all the girls as they feasted on the drunken sot.

Marianne Morris had a brief four-year career, but Anulka Dziubinska, in her first film, managed to last a bit longer. It is a shame that such talent didn't go further.

Oscar-nominated Bessie Love appeared briefly. She was also in The Hunger.

Doesn't Completely Suck

[kenjha · 5/10 · 15 October 2010]

After being murdered, a lesbian couple turns into vampires who feast on the blood of unsuspecting men. Although the acting is amateurish, Morris and Dziubinska are alluring as the title characters. The setting and cinematography are quite good for a low-budget film and it works fairly well as trashy erotica. After all, what's not to like about a movie about lesbian vampires? Well, for one thing, the pacing is extremely lethargic. It seems like about the half the movie is devoted to scenes of people walking from one place to another. Once the basic premise is established, the plot is less than compelling and it becomes somewhat of a drag.

Sumptuous soft-core sex-horror

[Vince-5 · 12 June 2001]

Vampyres is a truly atypical genre film. The girls have no fangs, their victims do not become vampires, and theirs is not so much an aversion to sunlight as a dislike. It eschews traditional bloodsucker conventions in favor of atmosphere and eroticism, and the result, though English in origin, seems more like one of the Continental horror films being made at the same time--probably thanks to Spanish director Jose Larraz.

Marianne Morris and Anulka are gorgeous and sadly sympathetic as the two undead lovers. Though slowly paced, there is an ample amount of suspense and a great deal of gore, as the beautiful ladies lick the spurting blood from the open wounds of their victims. The film also contains some of the most incredibly erotic sex scenes in any horror film (please see the uncut X-rated version). Add a Gothic mansion, plenty of lush autumnal scenery, and poetic shots of the vamps running through a graveyard at dawn, and you get a thoroughly beautiful motion picture that you won't soon forget.

Of Thirsty Ladies

[Tweetienator · 6/10 · 13 April 2020]

Vampyres mixes those French Emanuelle softporn movies of the 70s with some good and decent horror. The story: two sex- and blood-craving vampire ladies (of course with some lesbian action!) living in an old manor house bring death and destruction (and first some pleasure) to the men they lure into their domain of heaven and hell. Vampyres is a fine little flick with some erotic, some horror and a decent shot of blood and bad taste, that combined are really entertaining for the connoisseur of such kind of trashy movies.

Note: the original from 1974 is superior to the remake from 2015. Watch if you dig such "pearls" like: Vampyros Lesbos (1971) etc.

The world needs more vampires like these two

[jgcole · 7/10 · 10 February 2008]

As a kid I grew up watching the Hammer films of the sixties. While they were true to the vampire legend, they pulled back from the base elements of sex and eroticism that is implicit in the vampire story. However their atmosphere and visual imagery was unsurpassed. The films were well acted and the narrative true to Bram Stoker's "Dracula." But the variations on the theme were pretty much worn out and the vampire story was ready to go in another direction. And so vampire erotica became Europe's contribution to the sexploitation films of the 1970's.

While directors like Jean Rollin and Jess Franco cared little about being faithful to the Stoker legend, their departure from Hammer's formula did bring some originality to the vampire story. And while they did incorporate some very bizarre imagery as well as sex and nudity in their films, they lacked the production values of the Hammer films. And like many of the sexploitation films they used nudity as the lure to get people to watch their films. Often their efforts merely substituted nudity for eroticism, coming up short on both counts. But the formula was a winner: lesbian vampires. Really, you almost can't screw that up. While the classic "Daughters of Darkness" by Harry Kumel stands head and shoulders above all others, Franco's "Vampyros Lesbos" and "Female Vampire" as well as Rollin's "Requiem For a Vampire" are worthy contributions.

Jose Ramon Larraz's "Vampyres" is among the higher quality films of this era. Starring two beautiful women, Marianne Morris and Anulka, this film is long on atmosphere, imagery and eroticism. Our two hungry beauties spend their evenings lurking by the dark and lonely roads of the English countryside, waiting for their next victims. Their long black capes, flowing hair and vacant stares as they creepily hide behind dead trees waiting for their chance is an incredible contrast to the statuesque model quality beauty of the two stars. They, of course, live in a creepy old mansion in the country where they take their victims. And it is here, in Larraz's carefully constructed sets, that the movie is on its most solid ground. Larraz creates some striking scenes that more than make up for the films uneven pacing. In one such scene the girls are each in their rooms partaking of their victims. One of the vampires, in that telepathic communication that they have, becomes alarmed and rushes out of her room to find her blood covered sister, in an almost catatonic state of euphoria, wandering the corridor with a sexy, vacant look in her eyes. In another brilliant scene they retreat to the catacombs to rest where one sleeps on top of some kind of coffin and the other crouches in a stone alcove with her cape pulled up over her head. Strange but effective.

The storyline takes a back seat to what we are seeing and is not what we take from this film. Even for those who believe that story is what matters there is little chance of becoming bored. Plenty of sex, nudity and blood will keep your attention very nicely. However Larraz has done an excellent job of giving the film the feeling of foreboding and excitement that we all crave in a vampire movie. Definitely worth a view.

Slow, underdeveloped porno/horror film that has next to nothing to do with Vampires or Dracula.

[poolandrews · 5/10 · 29 January 2005]

Vampyres opens to two women having a lesbian encounter when a man walks into their room and shoots them both dead. A young couple named John (Brian Deacon) and Harriet (Sally Faulkner) are travelling throughout the British countryside and decide to stop and park their caravan in the grounds of an old Stately house. They are unsure whether the house is occupied at first. It soon becomes clear that two women live there, Fran (Marianne Morris) and Miriam (Anulka Dziubinska as Anulka), the same two from the opening pre-credits sequence. Harriet notices Fran arrive at the house in a car with a man named Ted (Murray Brown) who stopped to give her a lift. That night Fran and Ted have sex together. In the morning Ted wakes up and Fran has disappeared. He notices that he has a deep cut in his arm. He decides to wait for Fran to come back. That night Fran and Miriam arrive back with yet another man they convinced into giving them a lift called Rupert (Karl Lanchbury). Again Ted and Fran have sex while Rupert and Miriam go off together. Before long Fran and Miriam kill Rupert and drink his blood. Harriet starts to become suspicious, as does Ted who Fran seems to like so hasn't killed him yet. Both Ted and Harriet eventually find out the shocking truth behind Fran and Miriam, but will they live long enough to do anything about it?

Directed by Jose Ramon Larraz the main thing I think about when I recall this film is about how many long boring stretches of people walking around doing nothing in particular occur during it's 90 minute running time. There is very little dialogue. Very few characters either and the entire film is set in or around the house, a graveyard makes an appearance occasionally but it looks much like everything else in this film. The script by D. Daubeney ditches just about everything we expect from a vampire film. They walk around in sunlight and they don't have fangs. The film is very slow, it's over 30 minutes before Miriam does or says anything, and longer before they kill anyone. There is no explanation given for the two 'Vampyres' unless you count the last couple of rather vague minutes of dialogue about a legend of two murdered women who supposedly now haunt the house. And what about the victims watches stopping? It's mentioned on more than one occasion but is never explained. And what about all the nonsense about the graveyard? It's seen on a few occasions when Fran and Miriam travel there for some unknown reason every morning, but is never worked into the story. The two campers John and Harriet both disappear for long stretches of the film and don't interact with Fran or Miriam for the best part of an hour and they feel almost redundant. There is a scene at the start of the film when Ted books into a hotel and an old man says that he's sure he recognises him and asks if he's been here before, this is never mentioned again or elaborated on. I just think it's severely under-scripted. There is a reasonable amount of sex, nudity and gore but nowhere near as much as it's undeserved notorious reputation would suggest, even in it's uncut state. Only three men are killed throughout the film and one woman, not exactly a huge body count. The gore is tame with noting more than just splashing blood. There isn't even that much nudity in it to be fair, the best scene showing a lesbian encounter between Fran and Miriam in a shower. The house looks nice and the lush production design is also good looking, the photography is simple yet professional enough. There are some bad continuity errors as the film seemingly switches between night and day in the same scene, one moment someone is driving along at night with their headlights on and the next it's in the middle of the day. This happens on more than one occasion. It's slow but somehow not that boring and it certainly kept me watching until the end, but I don't think I would be in a hurry to watch it again. It isn't bad but isn't great either, generally disappointing.

You'd better believe that these vampire babes bite...hard!

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 13 September 2006]

To the pantheon of erotic 1970s horror flicks we can add "Vampyres", about hot lesbian vampires Fran (Marianne Morris) and Miriam (Anulka Dziubinska) who thumb rides from unsuspecting travelers, take the travelers to the English estate where they dwell, and go into full orgy mode. In a way, much of the movie seems like an excuse to show Fran and Miriam naked...but believe me, there's every justification for that! Especially that shower scene! Sure enough, those goddamn censors the world over decided to cut the coolest scenes. Shame on them! How dare they butcher a movie about vampire vixens having sex with unsuspecting men before making a meal of them.

All in all, I would consider it an honor for these two babes to drink my blood...particularly if they would drink it out of certain areas! This movie is a must-see for fans of 1970s Euro-horror. Also check out the interviews with Marianne Morris and Anulka Dziubinska in the special features; aside from offering insight into the movie's production, they're still really hot thirty years later!

Vampires and exploitation. Two bites in the right direction.

[insomniac_rod · 7/10 · 27 August 2006]

Popular semi-porno Vampire flick that has gained many attention in the new millennium mainly because of it's cult status and because it has been banned for many years. Thanks to the magic of the DVD system, "Vampyres" can be watched all around the world.

I'm glad I found a VHS copy many years ago because I can objectively say that this is a movie that deserves to be watched in order to appreciate the magic of ultra low budget combined with Gothic Horror.

First, this one shouldn't be watched as a straight Horror movie because it isn't. The movie's intention is to display erotic Horror with every man's fantasy : beautiful vampire seductresses. In that aspect, the movie delivers expectations because the sex scenes are steamy and very well done.

Marianne Morris and Anulka Dziubinska are impressive beauties. I wonder why they didn't pursue a longer acting career. They had the elements to become cult status actresses. Their beautiness can't be compared.

The gore is not as explicit as you may think but at least it's done with a heart. The highlight gore scene in the movie is the menage a trois between the girls and their unfortunate male curious visitor, who ends up being brutally stabbed. A pleasant death if you ask.

Overall I can't truly recommend this movie because it's not genre defining or has memorable scenes but if you are into exploitation and vampyres, this is the best you can get. Recommended only for people who are not easily offended. There isn't room for Dracula in this one.

Great idea (partially) wasted

[rose-294 · 5/10 · 27 December 2008]

A 1970's British film about two bisexual vampires (Marianne Morris and Anulka Dziubinska) who live in old mansion preying victims... Sounds great? Actually, it is uneven mix of attractive settings (good, good), siren-like female vampires (yai!), crude and laughable sex scenes (blah) and some less than elegant killing scenes (more blah). OK, it is better than VAMPIRES, John Carpenter's helming of Mark Jacoby's horrible script, but celebrated many for it's un-Hammer-like approach of blood-sucking lesbian nudity, my problem (as a vampire fan who does not like porn) is exactly that - it's vampire film with too little traditional vampire fun. Vampyres are not bad, but I will take elegant and atmospheric Hammer fun over this any day.

Dreamy marriage of bloodsucking and eroticism

[fertilecelluloid · 8/10 · 5 January 2005]

Though filmed in England, high-spirited Spanish director Jose Ramon Larraz works hard not to bring a coy, prurient perspective to this joyous celebration of steamy eroticism, lesbianism and vampirism. If he had failed (he doesn't), we would have been saddled with a sexless, potentially arousing work such as Jimmy Sangster's LUST FOR A VAMPIRE, a non-classic that wasted the carnal talents of the smoldering Yutte Stensgaard.

Featuring some of the most delicious scenes of rampant, sexually-charged blood drinking ever, VAMPYRES (not to be confused with John Carpenter's raw but uneven vampire entry) is a minor classic hampered only by a half-baked, meandering script and static dialog.

Negatives aside, it still manages to be poetic, sensual, dream-like and gloriously subversive. Afterall, it is a film of genuine atmosphere.

The vampire leads, exuberantly played by the beautiful Marianne Morris and Anulka Dziubinska, are extraordinary, a horror fan's wet dream made flesh. Images of them haunting country roads in search of victims or dashing through a cemetery in the late afternoon tattoo themselves into your psyche.

One sequence, where they brutally and bloodily ravage a "lucky" victim, is almost pornographic in its single-minded intensity and intention.

Sometimes titled VAMPYRES: DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS, it has little in common with Harry Kumel's superb telling of the Elizabeth Bathory story and nothing in common with Hong Kong's gleefully vile sleazefest of the same name.

Harry Waxman's stylish cinematography is a major asset, as is James Clark's subtle score.

Stronger than any Hammer film.

Recommended highly for exotic tastes.

Another Erotic Vampire Exploitation Film

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 18 December 2018]

While driving through a road in the countryside of England, John (Brian Deacon) and Harriet (Sally Faulkner) see a beautiful woman hitchhiking and Harriet sees another one hidden behind a tree. Soon they stop their trailer nearby an old house to camp. Later the woman, Fran (Marianne Morris), arrives with a man called Ted (Murray Brown) in the old house and she brings him to her room. They drink wine and have sex, but on the next morning Fran vanishes and Ted sees that his arm is cut. He drives to John and Harriet´s trailer and they treat his wound. He returns to the house and sleeps in his car. In the night, Fran and her girlfriend Miriam (Anulka Dziubinska) arrive with another man. What Ted does not know is that they are vampire and they have just attacked the man to drink his blood. Meanwhile the snoopy Harriet decides to investigate the women.

"Vampyres" is another erotic vampire exploitation film from the 70´s in the same style of Jess Franco´s films and highly indicated for fans of Eurotrash films. The lesbian vampires are the sexy and gorgeous Anulka Dziubinska, who is the Playboy´s Playmate of the Month in May of 1973, and Marianne Morris, and they spend great part of the film naked. The couple John and Harriet is silly, camping in a melancholic area with cemetery and Harriet is annoying following the vampires and snooping around their house. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "As Filhas de Drácula" ("The Daughters of Dracula")

Tedious in the extreme...

[world_of_weird · 1/10 · 26 March 2005]

When I was a youngster, my grandparents had a copy of this on VHS which they'd never, ever let me watch, for fear that it would warp my fragile little mind. Now, some twenty years later, I've finally sourced a copy and seen what all the fuss was about, I think the only danger this film could have put anyone in is a slow, lingering death induced by absolute boredom. As with Jess Franco's films, Joseph Larraz spends a lot of time going nowhere, padding out the skimpy story with coy nudity, tracking shots of nothing in particular, 'meaningful' glances, occasional snatches of tedious dialogue and characters doing very little. VAMPYRES could have easily been cut to thirty minutes and lost none of whatever impact it has. True, the two bloodthirsty leading ladies are easy on the eye and some of the interior shots are arresting, but this isn't enough to sustain our attention over ninety minutes. The acting is dismal throughout, the gore is unconvincing and the whole production has a deadly amateur feel. For a better example of a foreign director working on British soil, try LET SLEEPING CORPSES LIE from the same year.