Blu-ray Review: TWINS OF EVIL (1971)

 
TWINS OF EVIL
Directed by  John Hough
Distributed by  Synapse Films

  I am  huge fan of the Hammer Films, although I have to admit I have not really
seen that many. I have enjoyed every Hammer film I have seen so far, but maybe none as much as I enjoyed TWINS OF EVIL!  I knew nothing of this film going into it, but I can see now why this is considered on of the Hammer Production Company's best films.  For those not familiar with this film, here is the plot description from the Synapse Films website:

Two beautiful orphaned identical twins, Maria and Frieda Gellhorn (Playboy centerfold models Mary and Madeleine Collinson), move to the village of Karnstein to live with their uncle Gustav Weil (played by Hammer horror favorite, Peter Cushing), a fanatical puritan and leader of the local witch-hunting “Brotherhood.” The village Count (Damien Thomas, Never Let Me Go), an evil man who secretly practices Satanism, uses black magic and transforms into a vampire. Unhappy with her new life, Frieda seeks escape and tragically falls under the spell of the Count. Now overcome with an insatiable hunger for human blood, Frieda has to hide her secret from her sister, and escape her uncle’s killing grasp!

The acting in this film is very good, although you do get some common 1970's over acting, but that helps to give the film some of it's charm.   Hammer regular Peter Cushing was extremely good in his role of the twin's evil Uncle.  Speaking of the twins, Mary and Madeleine Collinson play twins Maria and Frieda and do a wonderful job. They are great actresses and are extremely easy on the eyes as well! 

The film has some great effects, and even a few good gore scenes, including a remarkable beheading scene that I have to imagine was very shocking at the time of the film's original release.   The film looks remarkable on this Blu-ray edition. You would never know this film was over 40 years old based on how crisp and clear the picture is.   TWINS OF EVIL is available now on a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack  from Synapse Films, and contains the following special features:

* THE FLESH AND THE FURY: X-POSING TWINS OF EVIL (84 mins.) - An all-new, feature-length documentary exploring Hammer's infamous 'Karnstein' trilogy from the origin of Carmilla, to the making of TWINS OF EVIL! Featuring exclusive interviews with director John Hough, star Damien Thomas, cult film director Joe Dante, Video Watchdog editor Tim Lucas, and more!
*  THE PROPS THAT HAMMER BUILT: THE KINSEY COLLECTION – Featurette (Blu-ray Exclusive)
*  Motion Still Gallery (Blu-ray Exclusive)
*  Deleted Scene (Blu-ray Exclusive)
*  Original Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots (Blu-ray Exclusive)
*  Isolated Music & E ffects Track (Blu-ray Exclusive)

 
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack