The Karnstein Trilogy of vampire films were produced by Hammer Films. They are notable at the time for their daring lesbian storylines. All three films were scripted by Tudor Gates. They are related by vampires of the noble Karnstein family, and their seat Castle Karnstein near the town of Karnstein in Styria, Austria.
Lust for a Vampire, featured DanishactressYutte Stensgaard as Mircalla. In this loose sequel to the first film, a revived Countess Mircalla seduces and murders her way through an exclusive girls' school.
Twins of Evil features Damien Thomas as Mircalla's descendant, the evil Count Karnstein. Mircalla herself, played by German actressKatya Wyeth, appears briefly. The story concerns sisters Maria and Frieda Gellhorn. It is apparently a prequel to the first film:. It depicts he Karnstein family as living and the set design and costumes give the film a 17th-century look and feel.
Other films
A planned fourth film in the series, variously announced as Vampire Virgins and Vampire Hunters, only got as far as early draft stage. The 1974 filmCaptain Kronos – Vampire Hunter features a female vampire from the Karnstein family, and is sometimes considered part of the same continuity, though it takes place England rather than Central Europe.
Continuity
The vampires of the Karnstein films differ from that of the Dracula series. Here, vampires can walk about in daylight and are immune to fire. Some of this is retained in the 1972 Hammer filmVampire Circus. ; Cast and characters
Key
A indicates the actor portrayed the role of a younger version of the character.
An indicates a role as an older version of the character.
A indicates the actor or actress lent only his or her voice for his or her film character.
An indicates the model served as a body double, with the actor or actress's likeness superimposed onto the model.
An indicates the actor or actress lent only their likeness for his or her film character.
An indicates an appearance through a photographic still.
