Countess Dracula, a fictional re-telling of the horrible antics of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory, could have been a real blood and thunder Hammer Horror. The film makers could hardly have found a bloodier subject for treatment. Instead this turns out to be a somewhat staid, reasonably watchable story, which never quite springs to life.
Director Peter Sasdy - himself from Hungary - gives us a nice-looking and colourful film. Unsuprisingly, Hammer used the sets from Anne of The Thousand Days, making the picture look much more expensive than it is.
Ingrid Pitt does well in the title role of the blood-bathing Countess who discovers that blood will restore her youth, de-aging her about 40 years. Her aged make-up is pretty convincing. Unfortunately she was dubbed by somebody who sounds like Miss Marple, as she was easily capable of carrying off the vocals needed for the role - a shame!
There's stirling support from Nigel Green and Sandor Eles, but it's Maurice Denham's Master Fabio who steals the show, giving a delightful performance. The peasant who kidnaps The Countess' daughter (on her orders) is pretty funny. Intentionally so.
Unfortunately the story is developed a little too slowly and there's no explanation for WHY the Countess can grow younger, which tilts it into fantasy. Still, this is a decent and earnest movie, with a little less gore and nudity than the Hammer Horrors of the previous year; worth a look.
Director Peter Sasdy - himself from Hungary - gives us a nice-looking and colourful film. Unsuprisingly, Hammer used the sets from Anne of The Thousand Days, making the picture look much more expensive than it is.
Ingrid Pitt does well in the title role of the blood-bathing Countess who discovers that blood will restore her youth, de-aging her about 40 years. Her aged make-up is pretty convincing. Unfortunately she was dubbed by somebody who sounds like Miss Marple, as she was easily capable of carrying off the vocals needed for the role - a shame!
There's stirling support from Nigel Green and Sandor Eles, but it's Maurice Denham's Master Fabio who steals the show, giving a delightful performance. The peasant who kidnaps The Countess' daughter (on her orders) is pretty funny. Intentionally so.
Unfortunately the story is developed a little too slowly and there's no explanation for WHY the Countess can grow younger, which tilts it into fantasy. Still, this is a decent and earnest movie, with a little less gore and nudity than the Hammer Horrors of the previous year; worth a look.