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Christopher Lee, Geoffrey Keen, Gwen Watford, Linda Hayden, Peter Sallis ... see more see more... , Anthony Corlan , Isla Blair , Martin Jarvis , Ralph Bates , Roy Kinnear , Michael Ripper , Russell Hunter , Shirley Jaffe , Keith Marsh , Peter May , Reginald Barratt , Liu Lai Ling , Malaika Martin , Madeleine Smith , John Carson , Anthony Higgins

One of the more accomplished entries in Hammer's Dracula series (which would soon lapse into creative anemia during the 1970s), this fourth installment finds Christopher Lee in top form as the Count, ... read more read more...who returns to menacing life after three middle-aged swingers decide to dabble in black magic to bolster their sagging sex lives. Dracula is reborn when the trio's blood-drinking rituals lead to the destruction of his devil-worshipping colleague Lord Courtley (Ralph Bates), whereupon the Count unleashes his deadly wrath on those responsible, even involving members of their families in his scheme of revenge, which culminates in a dramatic finale in a recently reconstructed cathedral. Fine direction from Hammer regular Peter Sasdy enlivens a middling script, and an early appearance from the lovely Linda Hayden (later to star in the eerie Blood on Satan's Claw) is a definite plus. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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55% liked it

3,429 ratings

Critics

64% liked it

11 critics

PG, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Peter Sasdy

Release Date: June 7, 1970

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DVD Release Date: April 27, 2004

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Stats: 175 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (175)

  • cosmo313
    May 7, 2012
    cosmo313
    It's a typical Hammer film, filled with great gothic set deign and art direction, cleavage (and a bit of actual boobs), and of course some blood and gore, all strung together by a lurid and ridiculous plot.

    Picking up where its predecessor Dracula Has Risen From the Grave left o... read moreff, the ending of that film is slightly retconned so as to have Dracula's demise witnessed by a guy travelling through the countryside who decides to take the Count's cloak, dried blood, and ring.

    Later on, that guy, Weller, sells Dracula's things to three bored wealthy English gentlemen with an interest in the occult, and, after drinking some of Dracula's blood, the three guys beat Weller and leave him for dead. He transforms into Dracula, who, upset over his servant being killed, seeks revenge on the three men.

    This is a nutty plot, but it does have some neat ideas. Unfortunately, the technical apects and the ideas can't ave a film if the execution is boring and subpar. I liked individual moments, but overall found this to be a bore. Heck, Dracula is barely in it, and Lee says mayeb 10 words the whole time. Of course, since he's Lee, he's got a commanding presence, even though he rarely speaks. He's a high point, and it's a hame he's got limited screentime.

    You can't say that Hammer made uninteresting films, that's for sure. It's just a bummer that they weren't always very competantly made or as entertaining as they should have been, which is definitely the case here.
  • bbcfloridabound
    February 20, 2012
    bbcfloridabound
    A Hammer Films Production thats is over the top, With Christopher Lee who said maybe 10 words during the whole movie, but still one of the best vampire movies of the seventies I have seen, And Linda Hayden put herself over the top as a beautiful women of the seventies. A 4 star f... read moreilm with a good story line.
  • ajv2688
    June 7, 2011
    ajv2688
    Just like all the other Dracula movies from Hammer starring Lee. Lee is a great Dracula, but I always wish we could see more of him in the movies, including this one. The story is somewhat similar to Stoker's original story, but not as good. This movie is really predictable an... read mored kinda stupid, but it's okay.
  • matertenebraum
    February 10, 2011
    matertenebraum
    A trio of seemingly respectable, well-to-do Victorian gentlemen (played by Geoffrey Keen, Jonathen Secker, and Peter 'more cheese, Gromit?' Sallis) form a secret club in order to experience the wildest thrills that life has to offer. However, their limited imaginations mean that ... read morethey soon become bored, and so they decide to take their lead from disgraced aristocrat and practising Satanist Lord Courtley (a marvellously slimy Ralph Bates), who suggests that they attempt a ritual to bring the infamous Count Dracula back to life.

    When the three men panic during the ceremony, and beat Courtley to death, they flee the scene, not realising that Count Dracula (Christopher Lee) has indeed returned from the dead, and now seeks retribution for the killing of his loyal acolyte.

    Although Hammer's Dracula movies rarely strayed far from their well-worn formula-Dracula lives; Dracula kills; Dracula dies-their lush Gothic atmosphere, fine ensemble casts, and sumptuous cinematography usually meant that, even when the script was somewhat lacking, there was still plenty to enjoy. Such is the case with Taste The Blood Of Dracula, which features a so-so story and a surprisingly unremarkable turn from Lee (who is forced to deliver some particularly dodgy dialogue), but manages to keep fans entertained with some gloriously camp performances from the rest of the cast, some fine direction from Peter Sasdy, and loads of Hammer's trademark Gothic trappings.

    Plus, this entry in the series also stars the gorgeous Linda Hayden-one of my favourite actresses from the late 60s/70s-whose presence makes it a must-see as far as I am concerned. Her transformation from wide eyed innocent to slutty vamp slave (with cleavage on display, naturally) is reason enough to seek this one out!
  • FilmFanatik
    January 25, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    This is not the greatest entry in the series, but it has some of the best performances and some of the goofiest ideas floating around in it.
  • WrenchLT
    January 13, 2011
    WrenchLT
    My personal favourite of the Hammer Dracula movies. Moving things to Victorian London with the lavishly built sets gives things a better atmosphere. A good musical score, a bit of blood and nudity and a fast-moving plot all contribute to an entertaining nights viewing. It's silly... read more and cheesy but fun.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 13, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Christopher Lee Dracula Movies make me giggle.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    October 29, 2008
    cancercapricorn2002
    Although certainly not the best sequel to the Hammer Studios' ingenious Dracula series starring Christopher Lee, Peter Sadsdy's "Taste The Blood Of Dracula" is still a good entry to this wonderful cycle. The original Hammer Dracula of 1958 (aka "Horror Of Dracula") is, of course,... read more unmatched, and some of the sequels, such as "Prince of Darkness" (1966) and "Scars Of Dracula" (1970) are, in my opinion, better than this movie, but "Taste The Blood Of Dracula" certainly has its very own allure and some great,creepy elements that Hammer fans should love to see, such as devil worshiping, black masses and possession.

    The film begins with A man kicked out of a stagecoach wakes up in the middle of the forest, hearing some terrible, eerie screams, he starts running in fear, just to witness Count Dracula die another death, this time impaled on a cross. A few years later a bunch of rich gentlemen are bored with their lives, and willing to spare no costs or efforts to get a bit of excitement... needless to say things go bad for the rich gentlemen from here."Taste The Blood Of Dracula" has the typically great Hammer photography and, once again, an eerie soundtrack (allthough some of the other Dracula films had better scores), and all the other typical Hammer elements. Christopher Lee is once again wonderfully eerie in his role, and most the supporting performances are also good. This is one of my favorite Hammer films, but it definitely has a few weaknesses (which I won't give away, since it would mean giving away parts of the plot), but it is overall another great entry to the Dracula series, and Hammer fans should not not miss it.
  • drblood
    June 24, 2007
    drblood
    The motivation for Dracula's revenge is the weak link in this tale and Christopher Lee is reduced to only a few lines overall.
  • monkeybobbob
    July 19, 2011
    monkeybobbob
    Great Dracula tale from Hammer. In this one, three church going, well off family men escape from their families on sunday nights to indulge in some decadance including burlesque dancing and stuff. On one of these nights the men are disturbed by a man who claims they can live this... read more life forever if they sell their souls to the devil. This involves bringing back to life "the most evil man of all time", Count Dracula. They eventually agree and begin the ritual but pussy out at the last minute, kill the man and run off but that doesn't stop Dracula returning back to life to get revenge on the three men that killed what was his servant. Definately one of the best Hammer Dracula's i've seen with a good cast, decent story, a fit woman(Linda Hayden) and some gore. Highly recommended for vamp fans.

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Critic Reviews

Steve Biodrowski
November 25, 2008
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter

Thematically intriguing %u2014 a sort of broadside attack on Victorian hypocrisy. Full Review

Tim Brayton
October 19, 2008
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

The strangest and most confused of the Dracula films up to that point, and the first of Hammer's vampire films where the bad elements seriously threaten to outnumber the good. Full Review

Lucius Gore
June 18, 2008
Lucius Gore, ESplatter

Given the lack of Lee screen time, 'Taste' is actually a pretty damn good Hammer film, with a strong story, the usual stock of excellent actors, great costumes, etc. Full Review

Steve Crum
March 8, 2008
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Is this Dracula 4 or 5 for Christopher Lee? No matter for his fans, it's never enough.

Cole Smithey
November 23, 2007
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Drink the blood of the Master!

Gregory Weinkauf
September 24, 2004
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times

Genius. Christopher Lee. Genius.

John J. Puccio
May 11, 2004
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...a vampire film where the vampire hardly shows his face or fangs. Full Review

Joshua Vasquez
April 28, 2004
Joshua Vasquez, Slant Magazine

Taste the Blood of Dracula is unusual in that it keeps Dracula somewhat on the sidelines. Full Review

Ken Hanke
July 30, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Yet another tired Chris Lee Dracula romp

Jon Fortgang
May 24, 2003
Jon Fortgang, Film4

An effective British horror that benefits from a classy cast, an intriguing subtext and plenty of atmosphere courtesy of Peter Sasdy's directing. Full Review

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