Les lèvres rouges (1971)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Harry Kümel

Writers:

Pierre Drouot (writer)
Jean Ferry (writer)

Release Date:

3 December 1971 (West Germany)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

An erotic nightmare of vampire lust [DVD]

Plot:

A newlywed couple are passing through a vacation resort. Their paths cross with a mysterious, strikingly beautiful countess and her aide.

Plot Keywords:

Newlywed | Sexual Violence | Male Frontal Nudity | Seduction | Zither

Cast

John Karlen	...	Stefan
Delphine Seyrig	...	Countess Bathory
Danielle Ouimet	...	Valerie
Andrea Rau	...	Ilona Harczy
Paul Esser	...	Hotel clerk
Georges Jamin	...	The Man
Joris Collet	...	Butler
Fons Rademakers	...	Mother

Also Known As:

Blood on the Lips
Blut an den Lippen
Children of the Night (video title)
Daughters of Darkness (USA)
Erzebeth
Le rouge aux Lèvres (Belgium: French title)
The Promise of Red Lips
The Red Lips
The Redness of the Lips

Runtime:

USA:100 min (uncut version) | USA:87 min

Country:

Belgium | France | West Germany

Language:

Dutch | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) (re-rating) (2005) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (2003) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) (original rating) | Iceland:16 | Australia:MA | West Germany:18 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Brugge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Company:

Showking Films

Trivia:

The dining room of Palais des Thermes (Ostend) with the coloured glass wall representing the sea with seagulls, where Valerie and Stefan are eating the first evening and where countess Bathory sees them for the first time, still exists but the trinkhall (300 meters from the hotel) with the seduction scene between countess Bathory and Valerie ("little Edelweis") is no longer there. The entrance hall is at Hotel Astoria (with the conversation with Pierre and where countess Bathory is knitting), but the rooms and windows are shot at the Grand Hotel des Thermes. If countess Bathory has been there 40 years ago, this is not probable because the hotel is build only in 1932 and the action takes place in 1970...

Quotes:

Countess Bathory: I feel it in my bones, the night is dying...

Movie Connections:

Featured in Shiver & Shudder Show (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

Daughters of Darkness

Slowly paced but gorgeous supernatural tale, just don't expect an orthodox horror flick going in

Many of the European sleaze flicks of the 70s had high art pretensions, particularly those by the likes of Jess Franco and Jean Rollin. However, "Daughters of Darkness" is one of the few to succeed as actual art and trashy exploitation. Its beautifully filmed with constantly gorgeous sets and actually well-developed characters (the later being a true rarity for the genre). On the other hand, it has plenty of nudity and a few cheap thrills to keep the drive-in fan entertained.

As I said above, this is a quality production all around. The direction by Harry Kümel is simply exquisite. The film is very slowly paced and will probably be considered dull by those expecting an actual horror film. There's few shocks to be had here, nor are there any seemingly conscience attempts to scare the audience. Kumel obviously had something else on his mind. The sets are also gorgeous and the cinematography constantly impresses. The film is certainly not for all tastes, but those who enjoy films that cross the line between cult and art will be fascinated.

Most of all, the story is very strong. Unlike many other lesbian vampire flicks, the character development is very strong. Countess Bathory is never portrayed as actually being the villain, and a superb performance from Delphine Seyrig ensures a memorable character. The couple is slightly less impressive but still fine in their own right. Its interesting how the true antagonist of the story shifts from Bathory to Stefen, the husband, midway through. All in all, "Daughters of Darkness" is one of the most beautiful supernatural films I've seen in a while. (8/10)