Vampyres

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.

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!

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

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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.

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