“They
shared the pleasures of the flesh, and the horrors of the grave!”
Long
evening shadows. Scattered leaves blowing across Berkshire park land. Gothic towers pictured at angles against a darkening sky, all set to
bizarre electric guitar and synth music that only the zenith of 70’s
exploitation cinema could bring. And so begins this hammer-esque
gothic shocker, also known as “Satan’s Daughters” and
“Daughters of Dracula”.
A Spanish/British co-production of the
mid-decade, the film follows a female vampire double act, played with
cool sexiness and aplomb by Marianne Morris (Fran, the brunette) and
ex-Playboy centrefold Anulka (Miriam, the blonde), who during the
daytime share a regal bed in their gothic pile (Oakley Court, the
famous Victorian mansion near Windsor and home to many a classic
British horror film as well as ’Rocky Horror’s’ groovy pad) and
by night, hunt down male victims for some blood drinking and lots of
lurid softcore sex, of which these beauties have lots of enthusiasm
for. This seems to be very thirsty work, as our two lasses have an
endless supply of wine. One of their victims, Ted (played by Murray
Brown) falls in love with Fran after being picked up on the road for
a night of chat, rolling around on the covers, and lots and lots of
the aforementioned red. You have to feel sorry for the poor lad, as
Fran sucks his blood after each night of passion, he grows weaker and
weaker. Meanwhile, in a nearby field, two caravaners, John (Brian
Deacon) and Harriet (Sally Faulkener) watch the odd comings and
goings from their window, and get increasingly concerned over their
break in the country. Fran and Miriam run through eerily shot woods
and graveyards, acquiring victim after victim every night, until the
conquest of an un-named playboy (played by Michael Byrne) results in
an orgy of ‘Kensington gore’.
This
horror picture is a respectable notch on the bedpost of the sub-genre
of lesbian vampire films, popular in European cinema of the early
70’s. It follows on from such arthouse sleaze fests made by Jess
Franco and Jean Rollin, and the rise of sex and cleavage shots in the
later Hammer Horrors. “Vampyres” easily tops the boobs and blood
quota, firmly placing it as grindhouse classic. What sets it apart
from a lot of films of the type is the creepy atmospheric
cinematography by Harry Waxman (“The Day the Earth Caught Fire”,
“The Wicker Man”). There is a definite sense of dreamlike dread
contained in many of the scenes, what could easily be described as
“halloweeny”. The locale and ‘home counties’ setting really
does lend the film a classic feel. This is an enjoyable horror
picture, especially for those that love a little eroticism thrown in
for good measure.
The film
was directed by Jose Larraz, who went onto make the 1982 horror
“Black Candles”. On the DVD commentary, his comment about
sinister eyes is hilarious. A fun way to watch the film: listen to
Laraz’s thick Spanish accent, intercut with the upper class tones
of producer Bryan Smedley-Aston. By the way, it’s also worth
watching the original US trailer for this feature, as it includes a
fab voiceover that describes our lovely vamps: “Very
un-natural…[short pause]...ladies.”
Vampyres Trailer by zombienationdotnet
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