Last week I got to (re)watch Nicolas Roeg’s The Man Who Fell to Earth in an art cinema surroundings, which means that I had a perfect chance to enjoy looking at David Bowie’s beautiful face and frail, boyish frame on the big screen. The 1976 weird, atmospheric alien drama made me think about my favourite decade when it comes to film. Hectic, violent, fun, perverse or politically incorrect, but often dealing with crucial problems that modern humanity faces – alienation and stupefying shallow materialism, without the gut-wrenching facade of useless virtue signalling I can’t seem to escape from lately.
Now, to get back to The Man Who Fell to Earth a bit, I need to mention the simple detail that I am always happy to see: naked women with unshaven bush during fun, unhinged sex scenes. To me those scenes seemed playful and liberating in the most essential way, funnily they brought the sense of normality (even though they were chaotic) when compared to today’s obsession with image and presentation (think of yourself as a brand! ) and the need to preach instead of just enjoying yourself with whatever art you’re creating, whatever life you are living…
That being said, it’s no surprise that the 1970s were a prolific decade for unique horror films, ranging from very weird to more conventional stories. Of course, I am a big fan of both. Some of the most beautiful, seductive, somewhat sleazy and erotic adult horror films can be found in the vampire horror sub-genre.
Daughters of Darkness (1971)
Faster. We must go faster than day.
In case you didn’t know, merely talking about blood can be an intense sexual experience. The whole movie is drenched with sexual tension, sometimes it’s over the top, but it helps the viewer feel the excitement through the pretty slow paced rhythm of the story. It won’t be boring though, if you just let it lead you into the night.
Finding the film can be confusing because of the original title: Les lèvres rouges (Red Lips), but it certainly won’t be tough to get across because of its cult status. If you’re not smitten with the costume, interior designs and lightening right away – you are watching the wrong movie!
Hungarian countess Elizabeth Bathory (played by Delphine Seyrig) is probably my favourite character from all of the vampire themed films because when you see her and get seduced by the velvety voice, good looks and charisma, you just know you would travel the best places and wear the most luxurious clothes in her company. It might get very lonely at times I am sure, but regular life and routine gets us down with boredom as well. Oh, and I hear vitamin D deficiency can be a bitch also, especially when you are not allowed to go out in the sun.
Scary and classy with a drop of excessive dramatics – a perfect combination.
Vampyros Lesbos (1971)
You’re beautiful when you’re scared, but even more so in death.
Probably the most memorable title of the genre, also the most prominent film from the erotic horror master, Spanish director Jesus Jesse Franco.
Just like its title, the film is (intentionally) highly suggestive, doesn’t let you connect the dots, but draws the whole picture under your nose right away. And you love it. Once you are used to that, the scenes become even more enchanting and the red details turn into an additional attractive part of this macabre, slightly comedic dance of seduction. Just not take it too seriously when it comes to the expectation of the genre, this is not a scary horror movie, but a trippy, atmospheric, chic fever dream starring gorgeous, often half naked women.
The sometimes ominous, sometimes sexy, all together weird atmosphere is achieved thanks to the brilliant ‘psychedelic rock from the future’ soundtrack by Manfred Hübler & Siegfried Schwab. After watching the film, I ended up listening to the OST on a loop for a week.
The Vampire Lovers (1970)
The trouble with this part of the world is they have too many fairy tales.
The first time I watched this one was when I was in my classic old vampire movie phase. Dingy castle, spider webs, cloaks, theatrics and mystery. You know, the more traditional story, period drama meets a vampire, they tend go nicely together as we all know. What I didn’t expect was such an alluring lead female character, Carmilla played by the amazing Ingrid Pitt. She exudes a very Sophie Marceau type of charm that makes the watching worth your while.
The other reason is plain – it’s fun! The perpetuation of familiar count Dracula myth (which I love), but with the atmosphere of subtle eroticism and less subtle seduction going on and characters in general who remain believable even when are too dramatic in their actions (the best example – Peter Cushing as General von Spielsdorf).
Oh, and last, but not least – I had to double check and yes, all of these films were around 90 minutes long, which, for me at least, is the perfect length of a horror movie (and some other genres in general). Sometimes I wish modern filmmakers would take note from their predecessors in many aspects, but this one especially!
Jean Genie 