Customer Reviews

Twins of Evil [VHS]

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4 star:		(8)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Twins of Evil, Hammer's third entry in the Karnstein trilogy, stands as the most erotic and visually stimulating of all Hammer's films. Unavailable for many years in the United States as a result of claims that one of the actresses appearing disrobed was underaged, the film concerns two orphaned sisters who travel from 18th century Venice to the village of Karnstein as wards of their uncle. The village elders, led by Peter Cushing,practice a reign of terror against supposed witches- primarily single, young women, as a symbol of their frustration against the real evil and debauchery of Count Karnstein. Karstein, protected by the Emperor, spends his evenings attending mock satanic ceremonies in the attendance of nubile young peasant girls. However, he becomes increasingly bored and finally raises the spirit of the long dead carmilla Karnstein who transforms him into a vampire. It is here that the real evil begins. Twins of Evil is fascinating for a number of reasons. Unlike its predecessors- Lust for a Vampire and The Vampire Lovers- Twins of Evil captures the tension between the 18th century Age of Enlightenment and a refusal to let go of superstitions deeply rooted in the history of Europe. Furthermore it pits the tyranny of European monarchies against that of religious fanaticism.Cushing is outstanding as Gustav Vile, as he is tortured by his helplessness against Karnstein and his desire to see God's will done. Cushing had lost his wife prior to the shooting of the film and his greif is evident in the film adding to the darkness and angst of Cushing's character. Lastly, Hammer's use of the Collinson twins adds to the visual beauty of the film juxtaposed against vivid scenes of violence. As a lover of the Hammer genre I quickly snatched this film into my possession and it certainly belongs in the collection of any true horror fan.

Director John Hough steers this Hammer Films Classic with absolute relish ~ The film stars Hammer Master 'Peter Cushing' as Gustav Weil, leader of the 'Brotherhood', a Puritan Witch-hunting vigilante group determined to stamp out vampirism ~ the 'Twins' are played by identical twins Mary & Madeleine Collinson, born in Malta in July 1952 ~ they were the first twins to appear in Playboy ~ like many Hammer films, sex was always an underlying theme used to sell the production, & explicit pre-production artwork made the film more like an expensive X-movie ~ much of which showed up in the films publicity shots, depicting the female cast clad in very loose nightgowns & less ~ even so, the film is stubborn in its anti-pleasure theme ~ ...'Twins' was to be the last round in the "Mircalla Trilogy", based on characters & settings by le Fanu ~ Mircalla is mostly absent, as Hammer concentrates on decedent Count Karnstein, praised as perhaps the most promising successor to Christopher Lee's Dracula ~ of great worthy note is the fact that just two months earlier Cushings wife had passed away, & yet he continued on, giving possibly his hardest & most gritting performance ever, casting himself fully into the role ~ he left production of Blood From the Mummy's Tomb due to her illness, & such a return makes the film even more important ~ though looking taunt & tired his performance alone makes the film worth watching ~ dark moody & atmospheric settings, horrifying special effects, & great acting by all involved make it a winner ~ Fun Stuff!

"Twins of Evil" is a Hammer vampire classic of note for several reasons. First, it is the conclusion of the Carmilla trilogy which began with my favorite of all Hammer's works, The Vampire Lovers -which closely followed the original novella- and continued with the lame cash-in Lust for a Vampire, which relied entirely on sex appeal. "Twins of Evil" was also notable in that it combined two different horror genres (witchhunting and vampires) into one seemless entity. Then there is the fact that the horror studio's premiere hero, Peter Cushing, played a character whose righteousness was dubious at best. While the film itself may not thrill or chill as much as Hammer's best, it still stands as a solid entry to their (un)hallowed pantheon.

While it is generally implied that this film is sexploitation, that is not at all the case. But considering the twins in question were Playboy playmates and given the rife sexuality and lesbianism present in the preceding films of the series, it is an easy thing to assume. There is actually only one nude scene and the film often deliberately cuts away from unclothed ladyparts, which is actually quite annoying in a film from this era where the girls were so impossibly beautiful and charmingly seductive. But in the end, it helps the film that you stay focused on the central conflicts of the story rather than when the next sex scene is coming up. There is a rather suggestive shot involving a candlestick that will raise eyebrows, but gratuitous nudity is pretty nonexistent. But there is some decent blood, violence, and miles of cleavage so straight exploitation fans need not pass this by.

Cushing plays a fanatical witchhunter terrorizing the women of a town where Count Karnstein openly worships Satan under the protection of the emperor. Since the Count himself is untouchable, Cushing's character tries to find solace in purifying the young girls he feels may have been corrupted by his influence with fire. Meanwhile, Karnstein sates his increasingly vile appetite by offering a human sacrifice to The Devil, who in turn sends him an apparition of his ancestor Mircalla (check the anagram), who bestows upon him eternal unlife. The wicked Count then sets his sights on the witchhunter's beautiful twin nieces whom nobody can tell apart but are as different in personality as they are similar in appearance.

The main theme of the film is the grey area in the conflict between good and evil. While Cushing's character feels he is doing God's work in purifying corrupted souls, he knowingly allows the source of the corruption to thrive, fearing the consequences. This makes him a hypocrite and as good as a murderer as he waits for each victim to take out his personal anger on young girls. The Collinson twins play their parts well (though their voices were dubbed), and make for a mesmerizing onscreen pair. The cast is solid all around.

The region 2 DVD release features a lame musical deleted scene, a very cool image gallery, and extensive liner notes chronicling the film's history and even features some actor bios. Not a ton of special features, but better then most Hammer films get treated over here. "Twins of Evil" is not must-see material, but it is certainly a decent addition to any vampire fan's collection.

3 1/2 stars, rounded up for originality.

This region free DVD offers just the film in an enhanced anamorpic presentation. This transfer won't blow you away like some of the recent Hammer film releases via Sony. Some digital artifacts are present but overall this is a decent if unremarkable transfer.

It should be noted that my DVD arrived without a DVD case! It was mailed flat with just the DVD and the DVD insert. However, I did buy a used copy. No playback issues to report.

Rumor has it that Synapse films has aquired the rights to VAMPIRE CIRCUS, HANDS OF THE RIPPER and TWINS OF EVIL for release on DVD and Blu-ray(!) in the United States by the end of 2010! So you might want to hold off on this title for a bit longer.

I recently received TWINS OF EVIL as a gift in the form of a DVD not yet available in this country. I must admit that I was not particularly enthusiastic, for I typically find "Hammer Horror" more than a little too obvious in style--but this particular title surprised me with its understated atmosphere, and was all the more effective for it.

Loosely based on characters created by author Sheridan Le Fanu, TWINS OF EVIL concern twin sisters Maria and Freida (Mary and Madeline Collison) who have been recently orphaned and are sent to live with their guardian and uncle Gustav Weil (Peter Cushing.) Gustav is a most unpleasant man, the leader of a religious "brotherhood" whose ideas of salvation and repentance involves routing out every attractive woman in the district and burning them alive at the steak. Ironically, Gustav's hapless victims are innocent, and he finds himself unable to attack the real evil of the locality: the devil-worshiping Count Karnstein (Damien Thomas), who enjoys the protection of the Emperor.

Needless to say, it is not long before the sisters catch the attention of the Count, who has now been transformed by the black arts into a vampire--and one of the sisters soon falls under his sway. But truth be told, Gustav is such a distasteful creature himself that it becomes difficult to know which of the two men is worst.

Like most Hammer Horrors, TWINS abounds with well endowed women in plunging necklines and enough colorful gore to float a small boat. But in this instance, the splashes of blood are all the more effective for the muted background against which they are seen. The usually baroque settings of most Hammer films is not in evidence here, little is romanticized, and the atmosphere is quite tense.

The Collison twins (whose last film this was) give reasonable performances and are so attractive that you do not mind the fact they have very obviously been dubbed by English-speaking actors. Damien Thomas makes for an impressively suave vampire, and David Warbeck is appealing as the hero of the piece. But the real drive of the film comes from Peter Cushing, who gives a surprisingly powerful performance as the maniacal Gustav; if given the choice between facing him or trying to ward off Thomas' vampire, well, most of us would probably feel we had a better chance against Count Karnstein! It is an unexpected effect, and it is quite powerful.

This is not to say that TWINS OF EVIL is without flaws, and now and then some pretty big ones. The script is no winner, and the details of the story are a bit loose, to say the least. The sisters are supposed to be from Vienna, but they somehow wind up in what seems to be a very unappealing area of Germany where the men all dress like American Puritans! There are also one or two scenes that border on the unintentionally comic. But most viewers will be able to suspend disbelief for the film's duration. Recommended for fans of both Hammer and gothic horror.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

"Twins of Evil" was a great movie, I remember watching it on televison as a kid. One thing that made it great was the beav shot when she attacks him. In this version they cut out that half peak of bush. I find the butchering of this film unacceptable: they showed the bush shot on regular tv in the 70's and 80's, it was only a few frames of video, why clean it up now?

TWINS OF EVIL is the finale of Hammer Studio's "Karnstein Trilogy", preceded by THE VAMPIRE LOVERS and LUST FOR A VAMPIRE (and based on Sheridan le Fanu's "Carmilla" stories). It stars Peter Cushing but in a different role to the one he filled in "Vampire Lovers".

Beautiful twins Maria and Frieda Gellhorn (played by real-life twin sisters Mary and Madeleine Collinson) have gone to live with their aunt and uncle, close by the ancient Karnstein castle where evil Count Karnstein (Damien Thomas) still seduces and murders innocent country maids.

The twins' Uncle Gustav (Peter Cushing) is the leader of a group overzealous witch-hunters; and immediately senses something amiss in his teenage charges. His fears are soon realised when black-hearted Frieda is seduced by Karnstein, becoming his blood-crazed lady of the night. Innocent Maria becomes another pawn in the game after Frieda is caught by Gustav's henchman and looks certain to burn at the stake, until Karnstein uses the old switcheroo, substituting Maria for her depraved twin. Can she be saved in the nick of time?...

One of the better Hammer productions of the period, TWINS OF EVIL (1971) provides a fitting climax for the Karnstein saga, started so evocatively with THE VAMPIRE LOVERS the previous year. It was a shame that producers couldn't lure back the lovely Ingrid Pitt to reprise her role of Mircalla; the character makes a brief return in this film, but sadly played by another actress (Katya Wyeth).

The Collinson twins are truly fetching playing the leads--though their dubbed English voices are painfully obvious. The cast also includes Dennis Price, Isobel Black, Kathleen Byron, David Warbeck and Harvey Hall.

"Twins of Evil" is the third, final, and the best installment in the Carmilla Karnstein trilogy produced by Hammer Production. Peter Cushing returns in a different role than the one from "The Vampire Lovers;" this time he is Gustav Weil, a religious fanatic who, along with the Brotherhood, accuses and burns witches at the stake. Cushing's role reminded me of the one played by Vincent Price in "Witchfinder General" in that most of the girls whom Gustav burns are innocent.

Gustav's twin nieces, Maria and Frieda, arrive in Karnstein. They are beautiful. Maria is obedient and innocent but Frieda is evil and rebellious. Frieda insists on visiting Count Karnstein who, unknown to her, has resurrected Carmilla Karnstein. Carmilla turns the count into a vampire. Unfortunately, we never see her again. The remainder of the film focuses on Count Karnstein and his relationship with Frieda whose evilness continues to grow. Soon she delights in the suffering and dying of others.

Like the previous movies in the Camilla Karnstein trilogy, "Twins of Evil" has a high body count and gruesome killings. All the gothic elements are present: Superstitious peasants; the fanatical, witch burning Brotherhood; the evil, wealthy count who lives in the gloomy castle on a hill; the human sacrifice; and the mute servant who faithfully protects the count. Handsome and debonair Count Karnstein is wonderfully portrayed by Damien Thomas. Thomas reminded me of Robert Tayman who was billed as Count Mitterhaus in "Vampire Circus," another excellent film from Hammer.

You must seek out and watch "Twins of Evil" if you are a fan of vampire films, especially those produced by Hammer. It has several plot twists and real suspense.

'Twins of Evil' is the last film in the 'Karnstein Trilogy'. This film was not meant to be the last in the series, I'll reveal why later.

My review will contain SPOILERs.

The Stars of this film are Peter Cushing (Gustav Weil, Damien Thomas (Count Karnstein), Dennis Price (Dietrich) Mary and Madeleine Collinson (Mary plays Maria and Maddy plays Frieda)and Katya Wyeth (Mircalla).

Two sisters, Maria and Frieda, go to live with their uncle Gustav Weil in Karnstein village, after their parents die. Maria is kind and gently, whereas Frieda is arrogant and disrespectful. Their uncle Gustav Weil is the leader of a puritanical group called 'The Brotherhood'. Frieda hates Gustav and runs away to meet Count Karnstein, who lives in the nearby Castle. Unbeknownst to Frieda, The Count has become a vampire after ressurecting Mircalla Karnstein, a Vampire(an ex-Countess). Frieda causes all sorts of trouble, including Killing her Schoolmistress Ingrid Hoffer, whos brother, Anton (the music Teacher) is in love with Frieda!

In the end the Brotherhood find out about Frieda's saucy escapades. They decide to burn Frieda, but the count switched Maria for Frieda (no one can tell them apart in the movie, though they do look different!). The Brotherhood are going to burn her when Anton arrives to safe her, after Frieda tried to 'seduce' him.

Anton and the Brotherhood march up to Castle karnstein, to stake the Count's evil heart.

Gustav kills Frieda, by decapitation of course. Maria goes looking for Frieda and gets capture by the Count. gustav gets killed trying to save Maria, but Anton saves the day but chucking a spear at the Count's heart. The Count gradually rots away.........

Twins of Evil is often described as 'The Best Film of The Karnstein Trilogy' or 'The Best Hammer Film Ever Made', but I would disagree. This film is well made (properly a lot better made than 'Lust for a Vampire') but it has far to many continuity problems, for example, on one scene The Brotherhood find a man with two teeth marks in his neck, but their is no Vampire at this point in the movie (Mircalla gets ressurected later on).

There is no explanation to why the Count (who isn't the same character as the one in the other two films) is alive, as the Karnsteins were all wiped out.

This film is a brilliant film, but my least favourite of the trilogy, mainly because Mircalla isn't in the film a lot, and she doesn't even get killed in this film.

As stated before, this film wasn't meant to be the last of the trilogy.

'The Vampire Vigins' is an unproduced end to the series. It's plot is very good, though Mircalla gets killed off early. The Count was meant to be played by Peter Cushing (oddly enough) as appear to be the Count from the other two films.

Anyway. 'Twins of Evil' is one of the best examples of a Vampire film but it isn't the best Karnstein film, 'The Vampire Lovers', the first film in the Hammer Karnstein series,and 'Blood and Roses',an Italian film, which contrary to popular belief, is not the closest adaptation of Le Fanu's novel but is still very good, are the best films based on Le Fanu's novel.

Thank you for reading.

Thanks to my Amazon bought ROKU streaming device , i just finished this extra good 1970's Hammer witch/vamire tale . I loved it . The cast was excellent . The script as well . To say nothing of the wonderful cinematography , atmosphere , direction and so on . Thanks to Peter Cushing headlining , it's one of the very finest 70's Hammer entries of its kind (vampire theme) . I really wish Hammer would box up these beautiful films from the last really productive years of their studio (until 76 or so) ? I know folks (certainly myself included) would be thrilled to pay a reasonable price to have both the great and even the mediocre films bundled up as Hammer has already demonstrated (with several sets) that they are more than willing to do . Why are these films so expensive ? please write and tell me as i haven't a clue . That is to say , why not just release them again . We're practically beating their Hammer and Amicus's doors down . Where is DR TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS for example ?