‘It plunges you into the midnight zone beyond the grasp of reason!’
Blood and Roses is a 1960 vampire film directed by Roger Vadim based upon the novella Carmilla (1872) by Irish writer Joseph Sheridan le Fanu. The movie stars Mel Ferrer, Elsa Martinelli and Annette Vadim.
The setting of the story was shifted from 19th-century Styria to 20th-century Italy.
Plot:
Young Carmilla is jealous of her friend’s engagement to Leopoldo, her beloved cousin. Her obsession leads her to the tomb of a female vampire. The vampire possesses her to kill and terrorise the inhabitants of the estate. But is it all in her mind, or is she really under the control of an ancient vampire ancestor?
Reviews:
“The beautiful photography, classy music, elaborate costumes and ornately layed-out gardens make for a sumptuously assembled film – but alas little more than that.” Moria
“Clearly intended as an art-house horror movie, it aims for a dreamily languorous rhythm which never quite manages to overcome the obstacles posed by stilted performances (Ferrer in particular), bathetic dialogue, and direction too prosaic to achieve the necessary intensity.” Phil Hardy (editor), The Aurum/Overlook Film Encyclopedia
Trailer:
Cast and characters:
Mel Ferrer … Leopoldo De Karnstein
Elsa Martinelli … Georgia Monteverdi
Annette Vadim … Carmilla
René-Jean Chauffard … Doctor Verari
Marc Allégret … Judge Monteverdi
Alberto Bonucci … Carlo Ruggieri
Serge Marquand … Giuseppe
Gabriella Farinon … Lisa
Renato Speziali … Guido Naldi
Original title:
Et mourir de plaisir
