In the heart of Styria the Karnstein Family, even after their mortal deaths, rise from their tombs spreading evil in the countryside in their lust for fresh blood. Baron Hartog whose family are all victims of Karnstein vampirism, opens their graves and drives a stake through their diabolical hearts. One grave he cannot locate is that of the legendary beautiful Mircalla Karnstein. Years of peace follow that grisly night until Mircalla reappears to avenge her family's decimation and satisfy her desire for blood.
Acting
Ingrid Pitt's smoldering, predatory charisma carries everything.
Production
Hammer's peak gothic sets drenched in velvet and fog.
Costume
Nightgowns so diaphanous they deserve billing.
Director
Roy Ward Baker
Ingrid Pitt
Marcilla / Carmilla
Peter Cushing
General von Spielsdorf
George Cole
Roger Morton
Kate O'Mara
The Governess (Mme. Perrodot)
Ferdy Mayne
Doctor
Douglas Wilmer
Baron Joachim von Hartog
Madeline Smith
Emma Morton
Dawn Addams
The Countess
Pippa Steel
Laura
Jon Finch
Carl Ebhardt
Kirsten Lindholm
First Vampire
Shelagh Wilcocks
Housekeeper
Harvey Hall
Renton
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Adapted from Sheridan Le Fanu's 1872 novella 'Carmilla,' one of literature's earliest lesbian vampire stories — Hammer finally made it explicit after decades of coded subtext.
Ingrid Pitt's fangs kept falling out during kissing scenes; the crew eventually gave up and removed them entirely for some shots. The thirst remained.
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