Watch Blood and Roses

Blood and Roses is a 1960 horror film directed by Roger Vadim, starring Mel Ferrer, Elsa Martinelli, and Annette Stroyberg. The movie is based on the classic vampire story called "Carmilla" by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. The story revolves around two cousins who come to visit their family's ancient castle in Italy. The beautiful Justine (played by Annette Stroyberg) falls under the spell of the mysterious Carmilla, played by Elsa Martinelli, who has been haunting the castle for centuries.

The movie opens with a creepy and atmospheric shot of the castle on top of a hill, surrounded by dark woods. The camera then moves to a group of modern-day tourists who are visiting the castle, and we meet Justine and her cousin (played by Mel Ferrer), who are the heirs of the castle. They are both young and beautiful, but while the cousin is interested in the architecture and history of the place, Justine is fascinated by the legend of the vampire who is said to haunt the castle.

Soon after they arrive, strange things start happening. Justine begins to have dreams and visions of a beautiful and seductive woman in white, who seems to be calling her. At the same time, a local girl is found dead, with marks on her throat that suggest a vampire attack.

As Justine becomes more and more obsessed with the legend of the vampire, her behavior becomes increasingly erratic. She starts neglecting her cousin, who is worried about her, and spends all her time wandering around the castle and the woods. She also becomes the target of Carmilla's seductions, which become increasingly dangerous as she tries to break free from Carmilla's grip.

The tension and suspense of the movie are masterfully built by the director, who uses light and shadow, as well as music and sound effects, to create a haunting and eerie atmosphere. The movie is shot in beautiful black and white, which adds to its gothic and eerie quality.

The performances of the three leads are excellent. Annette Stroyberg is particularly impressive as the tormented and seduced Justine, who is caught between her loyalty to her cousin and her desire for the beautiful and dangerous Carmilla. Elsa Martinelli, on the other hand, is both alluring and terrifying as the vampire who is desperate to find a new victim to take the place of her lost love.

The movie is not a typical horror film, as it focuses more on atmosphere and psychology than on gore and special effects. However, it is still a powerful and unsettling movie that explores themes of obsession, desire, and mortality. It is also a great example of the gothic horror genre, with its emphasis on castles, legends, and supernatural creatures.

Overall, Blood and Roses is a classic horror movie that deserves to be rediscovered by new audiences. It is a masterpiece of atmospheric horror that explores themes that are still relevant today. If you are a fan of gothic horror, or if you just love eerie and haunting cinematography, you should definitely give Blood and Roses a watch.

Blood and Roses is a 1960 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.