This is my horror film #9 for October. Made in 1973, it's an unusual film by the Spanish director Jess Franco, famous for his horror and erotic films. Or a mixture of the two, as in this case. The original title was "The Devourers", but it's been released with many titles, such as "The Black Countess" and "Erotikill". "Female Vampire" is the name of its current release.
The film takes place on the island of Madeira. Countess Irina Karlstein, played by the stunningly beautiful Lina Romay, is a mute vampiress who walks around the island naked looking for men for sex and blood. Needless to say, she finds many willing victims, and the series of dead bodies alerts the island's police force. As the film poster above shows, she also kills women, but this seems to be an exception; in the film the only woman she kills is a reporter who has discovered she is a vampire. A mysterious stranger then arrives on the island who claims that he is destined to remain with the Countess forever.
In many ways this film is similar to the psychedelic imagery of Jean Rollin's films. What we see is more important than the plot itself. That is my main problem with the film. Rollin's films are at least comprehensible. This film leaves too many aspects unexplained. It isn't a bad film, but it's not a great film either. Fans of erotic vampire stories should check out Rollin's films instead.
I wonder if there are any horror erotic movies about Bathory.
ReplyDeleteI can think of four films about Elisabeth Bathory. "Countess Dracula" is a 1971 Hammer film. "Bathory" (2008) is a better film that attempts to be a historical report, avoiding supernatural elements. "Blood Countess" (also 2008) is an enjoyable lesbian romp. I haven't seen "The Countess" (2009) yet, but from what I've read it portrays her from a historical standpoint.
ReplyDeleteI need to see some of those.
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