The Women of Hammer Films: Ingrid Pitt

The beautiful Ingrid...

One of Hammer films most legendary actresses was Ingrid Pitt. She made three films with the studio: The Vampire Lovers, Countess Dracula, and Beyond the Rave. Pitt was born Ingoushka Petrov on November 21, 1937 in Warsaw Poland. She endured the concentration camp during world war two. Her harsh ordeal is widely known as she endured torture and rape. She came through it and made her way to Berlin. There she met an American soldier and married him. On to California and Europe to try her hand at acting.

Her film debut was a minor role in a very big film, Doctor Zhivago. She would land a much bigger part in 1968's Where Eagles Dare alongside Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood.  But it was with her first Hammer film that put her on the map so to speak. As Carmilla in 1970's The Vampire Lovers which cast her as a vampiress feeding on young girls in 19th century Austria. Pitt made an immediate impact, so much that a follow-up film was made the very next year. In Countess Dracula, her character was based on the legend of Countess Elizabeth Bathory. And once again Pitt was unbelievable in the role. I've seen both of these films and they are some of my favorite horror films of all time. I have not seen Beyond The Rave. Pitt would continue on in horror films through-out the 70's including The House That Dripped Blood and The Wicker Man (another fave of mine). 

A scene from The Wicker Man with Ingrid in a spot of trouble...

During the 80's she turned to TV work on such as Unity, Doctor Who, Smiley's People, etc. Theater work would come later in the form of plays Dial M For Murder and Woman Of Straw. Fan conventions popped up during this time and she become a frequent guest. She was married three times and has one daughter Steffanie Pitt, also an actress. Ingrid stood only 5'4" and passed away in 2010 at the age of 73.

Classic Horror Films: Day 17(COUNTESS DRACULA - 1971)

Based on the legends of the Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory, comes this Hammer Studios Film. Hammer veteran Ingrid Pitt is cast as 17th century Countess Elisabeth Nasasdy who to keep her youthful appearance engages in bathing in the blood of young virgin women. This does not sit well with the local townfolk who are terrified of the countess and fear for their daughters. But things are going well until the Countess assumes the identity of her own daughter to marry a young suitor. And when her real daughter shows up for a visit, you can see the potential calamity. Pitt exudes so much sexual energy that she is unbelievable. Not a true vampire flick, as the countess doesn't sprout fangs and such, but still a chilling horror film from the good old days.

Classic Horror Films - Day 3 (THE WICKER MAN - 1973)

When a young girl mysteriously disappears, police sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But this pastoral community, led by the strange Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee), is not at all what it seems. Before long, the devout Christian detective uncovers a secret society of wanton lust and pagan blasphemy. Excellent film with strong performances by Woodward and Lee. Not your typical film as The Wicker Man does get a little weird but it's always interesting and intriguing. And let's not forget Britt Ekland's racy dance sequence as she tries to temp Howie late one night. Oh and stay away from the dreadful Nicolas Cage remake.

The Vampire Lovers (1971)

Was reading the blog Carfax Abbey, written by my new blog buddy Matthew, which is a very cool blog. Basically dedicated to horror cinema, he had written a nice piece about Hammer Films and the women who starred in them. You know Hammer Films who had a successful run of horror flicks from the late 50's to the early 70's. Well I had recently just watched one of them called The Vampire Lovers, and it is a guilty pleasure that still holds up to this day. I mean you can't go wrong with a film whose opening scene has a gentlemen beheading this sultry vamp (the super hot Kirsten Betts or Lindholm as she was also called) that will make you yell oh damn! This opening sequence is hypnotic and haunting and sets the mood of the film perfectly. Flash forward a few years in 19th century Styria, the film picks up with the seductive female vampire Marciella also known as Carmilla(played with undeniable appeal by Ingrid Pitt)who travels the countryside feeding on the lovely daughters of rich nobles. Carmilla goes after several women at the beginning with little regard for who it is until she meets Emma (played by Madeline Smith)who she immediately is attracted to. And to Emma's governess as well. Yeah Carmilla liked playing the field. You're probably wondering is there anyone in the film that can fight Carmilla and save Emma and the other young women. Why yes there it is, the always reliable Peter Cushing is on hand as General von Spielsdorf, even though Cushing is not his usual vampire hunting self. He actually shares the duties with a few others. Still having him on hand is never a bad thing, especially in a Hammer film. But let's be honest, the main appeal of this movie is the women, who are all beautiful and sexy. Pitt is very good as Carmilla, as she seems a tad conflicted about what she is doing to all the young girls, but she still ends up killing them anyway. Kate O'Mara as the Governess is good too as she falls hard for Carmilla and pays the price for it later on. Madeline Smith is refreshing as Emma, as she remains in the film the longest out of all the potential victims. Her friend Laura (played by Pippa Steele) not so much. The Vampire Lovers is one of the last of the Hammer films and it is entertaining enough. Not quite as good as their earlier entries, but still worthwhile.