There have been surprisingly few horror movies based on the Grand Guignol theatre in Paris; I would have thought it was a natural setting for some gothic chiller, particularly during the Hammer heyday, with its opportunity for hammy roles, sexy actresses and blood. So it's a same this take on it isn't better.
There are pleasures, including Christopher Lee's barnstorming performance as an egotistical, Svengali-ike manager of the theatre; Lelia Goldoni and Jenny Til are attractive female leads; the recreation of the plays are enjoyable.
I think it was a mistake to set this in the present day - decision made presumably for money but it robs it of atmosphere (Goldoni in particular feels a very modern actress). Despite the relative originality of the theatre setting, the script feels derivative - the bulk of the plot doesn't concern the theatre so much as a vampire serial killer running around; the nominal hero, a police surgeon (Julian Glover), doesn't have much to do with the theatre; there's also a subplot heavily influenced by Svengali; Lee disappears half way through the movie and its the poorer for it.
It looks handsome and is enjoyable, with the deaths neatly spaced throughout, and is one of the better Hammer imitations made in the late 1960s.
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