I like Hammer horror movies, but I did not expect much from this movie. This was the 7th Dracula movie in the 8 in total that they made and the last to feature Christopher Lee. By this stage the Dracula movies had had their day, but surprisingly I enjoyed the movie.
Perhaps its difficult to not enjoy a movie with the acting talents of Peter Cushing and Christoper Lee. Needless to say Lee is Dracula and Cushing is Van Helsing, obviously. They are, however in this movie pitted against each other in a modern day London.
I think the thing about this movie is that back in the 1970s it probably was seen as ridiculous. The plot features a cross section of people who make up the ruling elites. We have the politicians, the scientists and the business man, Dracula is doing ok for himself in our modern capitalist society. All during the film I thought to myself, when you consider what the ruling elites of politics and show biz were up to back then, it really isn't quite so far fetched.
The plot is at least a departure in terms of historical setting. The acting is good, as you would expect. The special effects are passable. The film has quite a lot of action sequences, a bit like a spy movie. And there is no doubt a subtext to the film, with the modern day elites portrayed as far removed from having any virtues .
Anyone who likes Hammer horror movies will like this, particularly if you are a fan of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.
Apparently this movie is in the public domain, copyright having lapsed so check it out online. Check out Horrortheque for public domain horror.
6 out of 10