Great Gothic horror ambiance, good cast, magnificent score, so-so story

This was the third entry in Hammer's so-called Karnstein Trilogy, named after the female vampire Mircalla, who is actually Countess Carmilla Karnstein (note the anagram). The previous two films are "The Vampire Lovers" (1970) and "Lust for a Vampire" (1971). This one is a prequel to those, all three based on "Carmilla" by Irish novelist Sheridan Le Fanu, which was originally published as a serial in 1871-72, some 26 years before Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

Of the Karnstein Trilogy, "Twins of Evil" bears the least resemblance to "Carmilla" as it adds a witch-hunting angle (that naturally brings to mind 1968's "Witchfinder General," aka "The Conqueror Worm") and Carmilla is decidedly a peripheral character, upstaged by the Dracula-like Count Karnstein. Damien Thomas, incidentally, is quite charismatic in the role and just as effective, if not better, compared to Christopher Lee.

I'm not sure when this story take place. The Puritan-like apparel worn by the religious brotherhood makes it seem like anywhere from the mid-1600s thru the 1700s, but I suppose it could occur closer to the time "Carmilla" was published, making it the mid-1800s.

The actresses who play the titular twins were the first identical twin Playmates of the Month for Playboy. They appeared in the mag in October, 1970, the year before this flick was released. They're certainly cute and are surprisingly effective in their roles, but they don't do anything for me on an erogenous level. However, the good twin/bad twin theme is compelling, although it contradicts the title.

In addition, there's an interesting subplot about how legalism can morph a good man into a dour killjoy. While the Karnsteins & their converts are wholly satanic, Gustav Weil (Peter Cushing) & his Brotherhood have fallen prey to a less overt kind of evil in the form of religious legalism. Meanwhile Anton Hoffer (David Warbeck) represents the honorable middle ground between the two extremes (which happen to be two sides of the same bad coin -- libertinism & legalism).

The score by British composer Harry Robinson is outstanding with a slight Spaghetti Western flare. The movie even has the feel of a Western in the first act, but it turns to Gothic horror as soon as the satanic rituals & vampirism surface. Aside from the Collinson twins, "Twins of Evil" features a nice smorgasbord of females.

The film runs 1 hour and 27 minutes and was shot at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England.