Although certainly not one of Hammer's great films from the early 70s, "Countess Dracula" is another imaginative, atmospheric and also quite unusual movie from this great production company. The film is vaguely based on Countess Erzsébeth (Elisabeth) Bathory, who terrorized Hungary of the late 16th and early 17th century by brutally murdering countless young girls. This "Bloody Lady" is widely considered the worst serial murderess in history, and therefore, of course, a popular topic for macabre Gothic literature and Horror films. Aside Vlad 'The Impaler' Tepes, Bathory was the second historical personality to inspire Bram Stoker when he wrote his immortal novel "Dracula". The films and books based on Bathory's life are, of course, mostly anything but historically accurate. "Countess Dracula" is no exception, since the film has little to do with the true story. That doesn't bother me the slightest bit however, since historical accuracy is no compulsory element for a good horror film, and the movie is definitely creepy, atmospheric and in parts also nasty little film.
The movie is, of course, a one-woman show for the sexy Ingrid Pitt, who is great as the countess. Apart from Pitt, Nigel Green also delivers a great performance as her almost equally despicable lover. The rest of the performances are admittedly not too sensational, but the atmosphere is eerie, and the tension is constant.
Another film in which Countess Bathory was the villain was released in 1971, namely Belgian director Harry Kümmel's mesmerizing "Les Lèvres Rouges" aka. "Daughters Of Darkness", which is (although even further away from the true story) ten times better than "Countess Dracula". Although it can't compete with "Daughters of Darkness", however, "Countess Dracula" is definitely an atmospheric and suspenseful film with some moments of sheer greatness, that Hammer fans should not miss. Highly recommended to my fellow Hammer fans!
The movie is, of course, a one-woman show for the sexy Ingrid Pitt, who is great as the countess. Apart from Pitt, Nigel Green also delivers a great performance as her almost equally despicable lover. The rest of the performances are admittedly not too sensational, but the atmosphere is eerie, and the tension is constant.
Another film in which Countess Bathory was the villain was released in 1971, namely Belgian director Harry Kümmel's mesmerizing "Les Lèvres Rouges" aka. "Daughters Of Darkness", which is (although even further away from the true story) ten times better than "Countess Dracula". Although it can't compete with "Daughters of Darkness", however, "Countess Dracula" is definitely an atmospheric and suspenseful film with some moments of sheer greatness, that Hammer fans should not miss. Highly recommended to my fellow Hammer fans!