Twins of Evil

Blu Ray Review

By Jessica Dwyer

Hammer Films took a new direction in the late 60s/early 70s.  It was breasts and blood aplenty and in plentiful amounts.  The beginning of this trend, which had already been a key coponent in the Hammer mix really hit its stride with the  release of The Vampire Lovers in 1970 which was also the introduction to Dracula’s successor in the land of the fang, Carmilla Karnstein.  With the success of the succubus that was Carmilla the studio saw a new way to spin an old tale, and so the Karnstein brood was the basis for a number of Hammer releases starting from that point on who’s focus was on sex and blood and lots of both.

Following his turn in The Vampire Lovers, Peter Cushing joined this rather unique entry in the Hammer library.  Cushing wasn’t quite a good guy nor a straight up bad guy.  In fact I would say Gustav Weil is probably the most grey morally character he played (or at least well up there.)  He burned young girls as witches without proof of guilt, all in the name of god.  It’s an interesting turn for Cushing and its worth buying this Blu Ray just to get those piercing eyes of his in full 1080p.

Twins of Evil is unique not only due to Cushing’s role, but also the films title character (which could be used as a double meaning if ever I’ve heard one.)  Mary and Madeline Collinson star as Maria and Frieda, twin orphans who go to live with their uncle, the witch burner.  While there Frieda falls under the spell of Count Karnstein, a descendant of Carmilla.  He doesn’t fall far from the tree, being cruel and heavily into devil worship and not minding who he kills in the process.  Eventually he brings back his great grandmother (or whatever she is…he doesn’t seem to mind as he makes out with her anyway) and is turned into a vampire just like her.  This film is different too in that it states only evil people can survive a vampires bite and become a vampire.  Well, Frieda is apparently the Twin of Evil as she’s turned into a bloodsucker.

Twins of Evil’s Blu Ray by Synapse Films is a must have for Hammer fans.  The transfer looks good and is far clearer than other versions of the movie I’ve seen.  I wish the colors were richer, but it is certainly an improvement over the regular DVD releases.   The extras on the release are excellent though.  The Flesh and Fury, an 84 minute new documentary follows the Karnstein films of Hammer and the changes the studio went through during those years.  There is also the Props That Hammer Built featurette, a motion still gallery, deleted scenes, TV spots, and an isolated music and effects track.  

If you are a fan of Hammer Films then you owe it to your collection to snag this release.  Currently Vampire Circus is also available from Synapse.

The Blu Ray release also comes with a regular DVD of the film ala a combo pack.  Synapse is following up this release with Hands of the Ripper and Countess Dracula (also Blu Ray and DVD combo packs.)   Twins of Evil is available now at the regular price of 29.95