SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Cineanalyst I think this, "Taste the Blood of Dracula," is easily the best of Hammer's Dracula sequels. Unlike the other mere bosoms-and-blood affairs, it gets at something of Bram Stoker's novel: Dracula's invasion as a self-inflicted undermining of the hypocrisy of English society. And, that message had some resonance with Hammer's target audience of Vietnam-War-era youth. It, too, also has plenty of bosoms and blood.Dracula is revived by three hypocritical men. They pretend to be socially-respectable husbands and fathers, but they also visit the brothel—in a sequence containing the first glimpses of nudity in Hammer's Dracula series and among the earliest in general among Dracula movies. When they bore of such titillation, they engage Lord Courtley, who for whatever reasons is a kept man due to the generosity of the prostitutes, to procure for them more thrilling delights. Courtley offers them Satanism in the form of a ceremony where they drink a cocktail of Dracula's powdered blood liquified by Courtley donating some of his own, fresh plasma. The hypocrites refuse, however, and, instead, they demand Courtley drink some. He does and begins gagging, at which point the other men beat him to death! Somehow, this resurrects Dracula and, in another flimsy revenge plot (like in "Dracula has Risen from the Grave" (1968)), he seeks to compel the children of the hypocrites to kill their fathers… because, apparently, Dracula cared about Courtley, his servant, or, more likely, he's just upset that someone other than himself killed him. Obviously, as evidenced by his killing Lucy and turning his back on Alice, he doesn't seem to care about his minions.Stoker's book, too, was about Dracula invading a sexually-repressed English society and, in effect, exposing their hypocrisy by exchanging bodily fluids with them and turning them into wanton vampires. In "Taste the Blood of Dracula," the Count does this for the benefit of the youth. Dracula is like the Id monster from "Forbidden Planet" (1956), fulfilling the wishes of the rebellious children by allowing them to murder their repressive parents. Alice's father won't let her go to a party with Paul; OK, Alice will cut daddy's head open with a shovel, then. Once the hypocrites are dispensed with, save the inspector who'll steal a drink on the clock in private but not inebriate himself so publicly when offered the liquor (although maybe vampire Jeremey will still be around to bite him), Dracula is dispensed with. In the face of true puppy love, he is killed by Paul's decorating of Dracula's lair as a church and, presumably, setting the stage for Paul and Alice's red wedding.So, I disagree with those who say Dracula is a mere afterthought in this outing; rather, he's finally integral to a decent story in the Hammer series. Plus, Christopher Lee's Count is a supporting monster in every one of Hammer's Dracula movies. The rest of the cast is probably the best of any of their Dracula films, too. The reading of Jonathan Secker's letter, as Paul prepares himself like a young Van Helsing for battle, is genuinely exciting. And, it's about time Hammer moved the series to England instead of some vague continental-European place populated by Brits. Probably because they didn't have to hide as much, the art direction seems better and more open as a result.(Mirror Note: Nothing to speak of—Lucy's father is seen through the mirror a couple times in their home's entryway.)

classicsoncall I didn't think Dracula needed a revenge motive to do his dirty work but it's the basis on which this story rests, with Christopher Lee's vampire utilizing a pair of buxom maidens to ultimately destroy his enemies. Actually, it seemed like the character Lord Courtley (Ralph Bates) reincarnated as Lee's Dracula when the whole soul selling deal went South, so that created a bit of a disconnect for me. Come to think of it, there were a lot of disconnects here. Like how is it that the shady businessman Weller (Roy Kinnear) managed to accumulate Dracula's effects after having the bejeezus scared out of him when thrown out of the coach? And what's to account for Dracula spinning around on a wooden stake when Weller finds him in the first place? How did all that happen? Oh well, by this time it probably wasn't supposed to make much sense. As usual though, Hammer Films kept pace with their ornate and colorful Victorian sets, absolutely chock full of furniture, photos, cabinets and glassware of all kinds that one has a difficult time absorbing before the next scene occurs. Lee himself is not in the film all that much, an apparent concession to his unwillingness to reprise the role once more, but absolutely demanded by Hammer fans.Anyway, the whole business with the dried blood of Dracula used to reanimate the Count was a novel enough idea; there's only so many ways one can go back to the well and keep things interesting. I didn't feel too bad for Hargood, Paxton and Secker since they were utterly contemptible in their hedonism, especially Hargood the way he treated his daughter Alice (Linda Hayden). Surprising though the way Secker was up on his vampire lore the way he was, after seeing the bites on Lucy Paxton's (Isla Blair) neck, and knowing how a wooden stake through the heart would put Dracula's victims to rest. You would think his brothel buddies would have been more surprised about his knowledge of the vampire game.

LeonLouisRicci The Fourth Entry in the Hammer Dracula Series has the Requisite "Touches", Featuring Dense Color, Beautiful Costumes, Atmospheric Sets, Plenty of Beautiful Young Women in Low-Cut Gowns, Striking Musical Score, and of course Blood Red Blood.Christopher Lee Returns as the Count, but only because Hammer Bowed to American Pressure and Paid the Actor His Fee.Originally the Film was Sculpted to Feature Peter Yates as a Satanic Disciple, Tasting the Blood of Dracula (actually drinking a goblet full), and becoming a Vampire from the Lineage. Once Lee was on board, things changed and the Movie Awkwardly, but somewhat Effectively Inserted Dracula into the Screenplay.The Story Revolves around Victorian Hypocrisy and The Count is Conjured and "Frees" the Young and Beautiful from its Grip. Linda Hayden shows good Range as the Daughter of an Abusing Father and the rest of the Cast all Contribute.The Weak and Disjointed Ending joins the Forced Narrative that proceeded in keeping the Movie from being Better, but Overall, the many Excellent Set Pieces make this a more Mature Hammer Entry, or perhaps more Accurately stated, an Evolutionary Piece in the Saga.Unfortunately most Aficionados Agree that this was really the Last Upward Mobile Movie in the Series.

jacobjohntaylor1 This is a sequel to Dracula has risen from the grave. It is one of the scariest movies ever made. If you like scary movies then you need to see this movie. It has a great story line. It also has great acting. It also has great special effects. In it very intense. Dracula is resurrected. He is out of revenge of the people who killed his servant. This is very scary movie. Scars of Dracula is a little better. Dracula A.D 1972 is also a little better. The satanic rites of Dracula is also a little better. This is the fifth part to the Dracula hammer series. It is better then the first four. Don't get me wrong the first four hammer Dracula movies are very scary. But this one his scarier.