Twins of Evil

The Monster had the fortune to see 'Twins of Evil' on the big screen a few years ago when his local arts cinema presented it alongside 'Countess Dracula' in a Halloween Hammer Horror double bill. It was a great night out and, in the case of 'Twins of Evil', a reminder of just how much fun Hammer's movies can be.

'Twins of Evil' is one of Hammer's later films, and as such is often overlooked, the general consensus being that the quality of the films that the studio produced declined rapidly in the early '70s.

The plot involves two twin sisters who stay at the house of their uncle, zealous witchfinder Gustav Weil. One of the twins becomes drawn to the mysterious Count Karnstein, a sinister presence in the village, and before long his true vampiric nature is revealed and a battle ensues between the Count and Uncle Gustav.

It is admittedly a daft tale, and when you learn that the buxom, scantily clad twins are played by Playboy playmates (and real-life-twins) Madeleine and Mary Collinson, it is hard not to suspect a cynical attitude behind the film-makers' wheel, and consequently approach the film with very low expectations.

But many viewers are caught off guard when the film opens with a genuinely horrifying scene, as Peter Cushing, playing witchfinder Gustav Weil, burns an accused witch at the stake. What's this? After all, Hammer movies aren't meant to be shocking to a modern audience, are they?

This opening scene I think gives a glimpse of what the studio could have ended up producing had it continued deeper into the 70s penchant for the shocking, uncompromising exploitation horror displayed by films like 'Last House on the Left'. Of course, Hammer (thankfully) didn't go down that ultra-violent route, but the dark tone of this and other scenes give 'Twins of Evil' an edge that elevates it beyond the embarrassing exercise in titillation that it otherwise could be.

And it has to be said that 'Twins of Evil' is made of considerable flair and energy. The colours are vivid and atmospheric, and the performances, though often less than convincing, are always entertaining. Damien Thomas is particularly watchable as Count Karnstein, and Cushing is reliable as ever,

It also flows very well, moving along at a brisk pace (especially compared to 'Countess Dracula', which despite its worthy intentions and relative restraint, dragged in comparison), and director John Hough ensures that all the Gothic trappings are in their rightful place, with full moons, crucifixes and burning candles never far away.

'Twins of Evil' manages to combine a genuinely sinister air with a fun-filled circus of Gothic camp. It isn't a great movie, but it is certainly an entertaining one. And sometimes that's all that matters.