This article is aimed at people already familiar with the American version of Roger Vadim's "Blood And Roses". For those who have not seen the film, it may contain possible "spoilers". Since so few fans appear to have seen the original "European" version of this film, I shall try to detail the difference between the two versions. The only video copy I have is the American version, but have seen the 84 minute English-dubbed original several times in Irish and U.K. cinemas. The information given below is drawn from memory. The biggest difference is the way in which the story is told: in the U.S. version the narrator is Millarca; in the original, the story is begun and concluded by Dr. Valeri. Both versions begin with the Caravelle jet taking off, but in the original this is followed by a scene on board the aircraft in which Valeri is in conversation with a small group of friends. After a little encouragement - "Doctor, I've known you a long time; I'll bet you have a story to tell us", Valeri begins the story of Carmilla, Georgia and Leopoldo. This is then followed by several scenes that have been cut: 1. Martha, one of the children who has a fascination with the Vampire legend, is seen exploring the Karnstein cemetery, much to Marie's trepidation. 2. Signor Lugieri is seen doing a reconnaissance of the old abbey as a possible location for his firework display. 3. Carmilla and Georgia are seen sharing a horseback ride. They are greeted at the villa by Leopoldo, who reminds them that there will be guests for dinner that evening. 4. Martha and Marie are saying their night-time prayers. When Martha pleads "Please let me see a Vampire someday" this leads to a comic altercation between the two, ending in a pillow fight. The above 4 scenes - which account for about 5 minutes running time - are introductory, so their absence does not impact too much on the plot.
However, also dropped is a brief scene in which Carmilla, in the presence of Judge Monteverdi, is seen laughing heartily at an unspecified joke. This occurs just before the scene with the fox, and shows another side of Carmilla's character. In two more scenes - the greenhouse scene and when Dr. Valeri gives his explanation of Carmilla's behavior to Leopoldo - the dialog has been shortened. Apart from scenes being cut/shortened and the narrator being changed, there have also been some additions. These include extra lines spoken off-camera ("You make it seem too real, Carmilla", "Carmilla, enough; you're frightening Georgia" etc.), extra sound effects (the unconvincing screams), and even visuals (the big close-ups of the rose fading) that Paramount presumably felt were needed to make the story clearer and the film more "marketable". The difference between the two versions, therefore, is considerable. My purpose here has been to list the differences, not evaluate them. However, the use of a Vampire spirit(!) as a narrator in place of Dr. Valeri destroys the film's intended ambiguity. In the original, Dr. Valeri's medical/psychological explanation of Carmilla's behavior is balanced by Giuseppi and the children Martha and Marie who explain it according to their superstitious beliefs. The audience is left to decide for themselves. No such choice for the American viewer: Millarca's over-dubbed voice tells us that she is taking possession of Carmilla. Giant close-ups of the fading rose prove it. To my knowledge, "Et Mourir De Plaisir"/"Blood and Roses" has never been released on VHS or DVD in Europe. Since it has appeared on VHS in America, it is possible that Paramount may eventually put out a DVD. However, this would most likely be the U.S. version. That is unless fans of the film were to bombard the distributor with requests for the original. But why would fans request release of a version they have not seen? Maybe this article will awaken an interest.
However, also dropped is a brief scene in which Carmilla, in the presence of Judge Monteverdi, is seen laughing heartily at an unspecified joke. This occurs just before the scene with the fox, and shows another side of Carmilla's character. In two more scenes - the greenhouse scene and when Dr. Valeri gives his explanation of Carmilla's behavior to Leopoldo - the dialog has been shortened. Apart from scenes being cut/shortened and the narrator being changed, there have also been some additions. These include extra lines spoken off-camera ("You make it seem too real, Carmilla", "Carmilla, enough; you're frightening Georgia" etc.), extra sound effects (the unconvincing screams), and even visuals (the big close-ups of the rose fading) that Paramount presumably felt were needed to make the story clearer and the film more "marketable". The difference between the two versions, therefore, is considerable. My purpose here has been to list the differences, not evaluate them. However, the use of a Vampire spirit(!) as a narrator in place of Dr. Valeri destroys the film's intended ambiguity. In the original, Dr. Valeri's medical/psychological explanation of Carmilla's behavior is balanced by Giuseppi and the children Martha and Marie who explain it according to their superstitious beliefs. The audience is left to decide for themselves. No such choice for the American viewer: Millarca's over-dubbed voice tells us that she is taking possession of Carmilla. Giant close-ups of the fading rose prove it. To my knowledge, "Et Mourir De Plaisir"/"Blood and Roses" has never been released on VHS or DVD in Europe. Since it has appeared on VHS in America, it is possible that Paramount may eventually put out a DVD. However, this would most likely be the U.S. version. That is unless fans of the film were to bombard the distributor with requests for the original. But why would fans request release of a version they have not seen? Maybe this article will awaken an interest.