Twins of Evil (1971)

A religious sect led by Gustav Weil hunts all women suspected of witchcraft, killing a number of innocent victims. Young Katy, Gustav's niece, will involve herself in a devilish cult, and become an instrument of Justice in the region.

Director:

John Hough

Writers:

Tudor Gates (screenplay), Sheridan Le Fanu (characters created by) (as J. Sheridan Le Fanu)

Stars:

Inigo Jackson, Judy Matheson, Peter Cushing

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Inigo Jackson	...	Woodman
Judy Matheson	...	Woodman's Daughter
Peter Cushing	...	Gustav Weil
Harvey Hall	...	Franz
Alex Scott	...	Hermann
Shelagh Wilcocks	...	Lady in Coach (as Sheelah Wilcox)
Madeleine Collinson	...	Frieda Gellhorn (as Madelaine Collinson)
Mary Collinson	...	Maria Gellhorn
Kathleen Byron	...	Katy Weil
Roy Stewart	...	Joachim
Luan Peters	...	Gerta
Damien Thomas	...	Count Karnstein
Dennis Price	...	Dietrich
Maggie Wright	...	Alexa
Katya Wyeth	...	Countess Mircalla

Storyline

In nineteenth century middle-Europe, orphaned teenage twins Maria and Frieda go to live with their uncle Gustav Weil, who heads the Brotherhood, a vigilante group trying to stamp out vampirism. But their methods are random and misplaced and the only result is a terrorised populace. The real threat lies with Count Karnstein, and although the twins seem outwardly to be identical, Frieda finds herself much more drawn than her sister to the Count's castle dominating the skyline.

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Plot Keywords:

twin | uncle | castle | cult film | costume horror | 

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Taglines:

A new terror-filled X film

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Gemini Twins

Filming Locations:

Black Park Country Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£205,067 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rank Organisation, The, Hammer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was released as a double bill with Hands of the Ripper (1971).

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Goofs

When Gerta first stands up from the dinner table you see her chair falling backwards silently. Then in the next shot you see it is once more upright and then falls backwards again, this time with a loud bang when it hits the floor.

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Quotes

Count Karnstein: What's the meaning of this, Weil? Out witch-hunting again? You've come to the wrong place.
Gustav Weil: We seek the servants of the devil.
Count Karnstein: Well, you've found one. Me! Now get out!

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Connections

Follows Lust for a Vampire (1971)

User Reviews

Hammer Double Trouble.

In my opinion a Hammer Vampire Classic. It's early 70's, so Hammer Studios are mixing blood sucking with naked buxom wenches. Prior to this, punters had to be content with heaving bosoms, rather than the full monty.

This is the 3rd part of the Karnstein Trilogy, with Vampire Lovers and Lust For A Vampire being the other movies in the series. They are all a similar take on the same story - Vampire Lovers has a lesbian flavour, and Lust For A Vampire is set in a finishing school for girls. All have the Karnstein family as the predatory vampires in one form or another.

Twins Of Evil has Playmates Mary and Madeleine Collinson in the title roles, the twist being one is good and one evil. The evil one is drawn to the roguish Count on the hill, and falls prey to his blood-sucking tendencies. Meanwhile, Uncle Gustav (Peter Cushing) is hunting down suspected witches in a puritanical fervor, leading to him doubting the purity of his twin nieces. Satanic undertones and a love interest with handsome Anton Hoffer are thrown in to keep the movie rolling along.

Hammer Horror Films are always full of great sets, costumes and stirring music (usually re-used from the previous five movies) and this scores high on all three. The Collinson twins are better Playmates than actresses, but fill their parts and costumes magnificently. Peter Cushing had just lost his wife, and his acting has a harder edge to it than normal - perhaps due to this sad loss.

Anything from the 70's is going to look a bit dated now, but I think that Hammer got the Gothic feel and sex-horror mix about right with this fine outing. It's a Midnight Matinee vampire romp that should not disappoint.