Rod Hardy, the director isn't well known for his flicks. He's still in the business doing series like Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica and back in those days the much acclaimed Return To Eden. Not only that, he also made a lot of TV movies but back in 1979 he made his one and only feature for the cinema's, Thirst.
Just when the Hammers and Amicus releases were over and not popular any more and just before the heydays and start of the slashers he made this beautiful Gothic story. As so many did it is based on the story of Elisabeth Bathory but then again not really. It's about a woman having a normal life being chosen by a Brotherhood to become a vampire. But the score and the atmosphere are sublime. And this flick really needs the Gothic atmosphere because it never becomes really bloody or even gory. The red stuff do flows but not that often. There isn't even gratuitous nudity a thing that was a must be back then although Chantal do appear naked. But what the movie makes watchable is the performance by Chantal Contouri. The expressions on her face, excellent.
There are some other well known actors in it especially from the horror genre or faces like Henry Silva. This is one of those gems that still haven't seen a proper release. Oh yes, it's out on DVD but the sound is really bad. Nevertheless, worth watching if you like the old British Hammers and Amicus flicks.
Just when the Hammers and Amicus releases were over and not popular any more and just before the heydays and start of the slashers he made this beautiful Gothic story. As so many did it is based on the story of Elisabeth Bathory but then again not really. It's about a woman having a normal life being chosen by a Brotherhood to become a vampire. But the score and the atmosphere are sublime. And this flick really needs the Gothic atmosphere because it never becomes really bloody or even gory. The red stuff do flows but not that often. There isn't even gratuitous nudity a thing that was a must be back then although Chantal do appear naked. But what the movie makes watchable is the performance by Chantal Contouri. The expressions on her face, excellent.
There are some other well known actors in it especially from the horror genre or faces like Henry Silva. This is one of those gems that still haven't seen a proper release. Oh yes, it's out on DVD but the sound is really bad. Nevertheless, worth watching if you like the old British Hammers and Amicus flicks.