Rating: 
Summary: Classic
Review: I'm delighted this will be available on DVD. I watched it on VHS a long, long time ago. I'd heard about it in various books on vampire films and haunted every video store I could find to locate a viewing copy. When I finally found it, I watched it with the enthrallment of the very young with the object of an obsession. Based loosely on the story of Elisabet Bathory, this "contempory" tale is of a young newly wed couple who are seduced by a mysterious woman whose interest in them is predatory. Compared to current movie fare, this is extremely tame with it's allusions to S&M and chic debauchery, but the european elegance of the film will satisfy the die hard vampire film fan who enjoys the older movies that defined the genre in the late 60s and into the 70s. Not as openly sexual as the lush offerings of a Hammer film, it has it's own more subtle erotic charm.
Rating: 
Summary: A mesmerizing and atypical vampire film
Review: "Daughters of Darkness" (originally titled "La rouge aux lèvres") is a 1971 Belgian-French-West German production directed by Harry Kümel that stars Delphine Seyrig as the Countess Elizabeth (Erzsebet) Bathory (a real historical figure who murdered hundreds of young women in her quest for immortality). In the film, Bathory and her young female companion (Andrea Rau) cross pathes with a young couple, Valerie and Stefan (played by Danielle Ouimet and John Karlen - Willie Loomis from TV's "Dark Shadows") who are honeymooning during the off-season in Europe. At first the couple seem fairly normal, but things quickly sour, as the woman is shown to be emotionally unstable and the man is very violent and turned on by death. Their relationship is also undermined by homosexuality on both sides. There are intimations that Stefan is in thrall to an older man back in England, and Valerie - of course - soon falls under the spell of the ageless and beautiful Countess Bathory. This mesmerizing and hypnotic film makes brilliant use of sound, mood, and color to paint an understatedly savage tableau, and it has a well-deserved cult following. It's probably too slow-moving for the average horror movie fan, however. "Daughters of Darkness" is very self-consciously an "art" film. The carefully constructed images, the nonsensical dialogue, the use of vivid reds and blues, and the extremely deliberate pacing all serve to create a film that - despite a few shockingly strange death scenes - is much closer in spirit to "Last Year at Marienbad" than it is to "The Lost Boys."
Rating:
Summary: The Pinnacle of Lesbian Vampire Movies
Review: There must be some subliminal message in this movie that I respond to. I have watched it over and over. The Countess is so beautifully evil; she made me fall under her spell. I have heard her described as a "Satanic Auntie Mame". She makes evil so seductive and fun. Even though I have a dark obessesion fop this movie, freinds I have shown it to describeit as boring and slow. (Hang on, talking about it made me get up and put it in the DVD player again). It's not for everyone, at least give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: A Bewitching Vampire Tale...
Review: Stefan, a British aristocrat with sadistic tendencies, and the beautiful Valerie, a simple girl, have eloped and are on their way home to break the news to Stefan's mother. However, Stefan is hesitant to bring his wife to see his mother as he delays the trip back to England on purpose by making up stories. The newlyweds decide to stay in an extravagant hotel on the seaside while Stefan attempts to buy some time. Stefan and Valerie are the only guests at the hotel besides the flamboyant Countess Bathory and her seductive secretary since it is off-season. During the stay the Countess Bathory has taken a liking to the couple and begins to seduce them both as she begins setting her wicked plan into action. Daughters of Darkness is a vampire tale with a malevolently chilly and sexually tense atmosphere that haunts the mind with its subtle approach as Kümel avoids the popular approach of vampires. The vampires do not sleep in coffins nor attack the necks of their victims with sharpened elongated teeth. Instead Kümel disguises the threat of evil behind courteous behavior, alluring charm, and vivid gesticulations that become passionately seductive for the characters in the film. In addition, the mise-en-scene is strongly suggestive and vibrant colors are used in order to enhance the bewitching atmosphere that is viewed by the audience. This leaves the viewer with an uneasy, but artistic cinematic experience that selective audiences will appreciate.
Rating:
Summary: A mesmerizing and atypical vampire film
Review: "Daughters of Darkness" (originally titled "La rouge aux lèvres") is a 1971 Belgian-French-West German production directed by Harry Kümel that stars Delphine Seyrig as the Countess Elizabeth (Erzsebet) Bathory (a real historical figure who murdered hundreds of young women in her quest for immortality). In the film, Bathory and her young female companion (Andrea Rau) cross pathes with a young couple, Valerie and Stefan (played by Danielle Ouimet and John Karlen - Willie Loomis from TV's "Dark Shadows") who are honeymooning during the off-season in Europe. At first the couple seem fairly normal, but things quickly sour, as the woman is shown to be emotionally unstable and the man is very violent and turned on by death. Their relationship is also undermined by homosexuality on both sides. There are intimations that Stefan is in thrall to an older man back in England, and Valerie - of course - soon falls under the spell of the ageless and beautiful Countess Bathory. This mesmerizing and hypnotic film makes brilliant use of sound, mood, and color to paint an understatedly savage tableau, and it has a well-deserved cult following. It's probably too slow-moving for the average horror movie fan, however. "Daughters of Darkness" is very self-consciously an "art" film. The carefully constructed images, the nonsensical dialogue, the use of vivid reds and blues, and the extremely deliberate pacing all serve to create a film that - despite a few shockingly strange death scenes - is much closer in spirit to "Last Year at Marienbad" than it is to "The Lost Boys."
Rating: 
Summary: Ehh, it's okay... 2.5 actually
Review: This film is about a newlywed couple who "honeymoon?" at a fancy palace like hotel in Europe somewhere, alone, and are seduced by a Countess and her sidekick who show up not too long after the married couple arrive. I normally adore art house flicks, but this one has the pacing of a snail. There are only a few "shocking" scenes, and it came long after this viewer had any interest left. I will say this though, over the last 25 minutes of the film the pace quickens and may be considered a "payoff", but like I said, I basically lost interest. Don't believe the hype. If you want an interesting "exploitation" vampire film from the 70's, check out Warhol's Blood For Dracula. Nuff said.
Rating:
Summary: Fangless but cool
Review: Normally I don't go for the vampire film where you don't see the fangs - but in this case the subtly works so well. If you like mood and visuals over plot - and are cool with Jean Rollin type lesbian vampires, then this film is for you. I'd seen it already years ago on VHS and had to own it on DVD!!
Rating:
Summary: That special early 70's feeling
Review: Oh yeah, the melancholy eurorock soundtrack, Mr. Karlen's post-Beatles bangs and insectoid shades, driving through a Dutch forest at dawn, these are the essentials one ought to really savor, not whether the lebianism is erotic enough, nor whether the vampirism convincing. Speaking of Karlen, if one thumbs through any Japanese comic from the 70's, one realizes he is the embodiment of the male manga hero. Just for that you should own this flick. Ok, so the movie is no Don't Look Now...but does it really matter? And for the very cultured person who thinks Blade is a good movie, I hope Wesley Snipes cuts him in half. The problem, as I see it, is too many of the wrong kind of people watch and comment on this film. It's either the Goth/Anne Rice crowd, the eurotrash perve, or the art dweeb. Give it up y'all, this movie should be filed next to Le Mans under "K" for KILLER HAIR AND MUSIC. By the way, I got the VHS, and it is nice not to have to see the pixels. Plus, any movie with a white mink coat in it already deserves 3 stars, so this is easily 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: A Guilty Pleasure
Review: Let's face it: "Daughters of Darkness" is, at most, a guilty pleasure. Despite the cheesy music, overly dramatic dialogue, and uneven acting, this film is totally watchable. Delphine Seyrig is suitably seductive and enigmatic as the world-weary Countess Elisabeth Batori who in her search for blood and eternal life pounces upon a young couple in the Belgian coastal town of Ostend. Andrea Rau plays the countess's slave (and lover). John Karlen of "Dark Shadows" fame plays the husband who tries to save his wife from Batori's clutches. Notorious when it was released theatrically in 1971 for its brief explicitness, this unexpurgated version is pure escapist Eurotrash and wonderfully watchable! It should appeal to both fans of camp classics as well as vampire movie buffs.
Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC EURO-HORROR.....
Review: The real deal. Newlyweds on their honeymoon in Europe are befriended(?) by a mysterious woman and her weird younger female companion. The macho husband (John "Dark Shadows" Karlin) is put off by her but the wife is mystified and wants to be friendly. This puts a strain on their relationship and the husband becomes abusive which sends the wife right where the strange woman wants her. Of course the Lady's a vampire descended from the Countess Balthory and has eyes on the girl as her next "companion". The other companion has worn out her tenure. The husband seduces the companion in a sexy shower scene and she accidentally dies a bloody death which really puts a crimp in the honeymoon. Lots of nudity (including Karlin!) and cold modern European atmosphere make this even more interesting. Delphine Seyrig is marvellous as the Lady and Karlin is fine in his thin pre-Cagney&Lacey days. This is a classy film and not as cheesy as it may sound. Sort of Horror as Art if you will. Worth the time to sit and watch. A collector's item for Euro-horror buffs.
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