Amazon.com

Polish-born actress Ingrid Pitt's erotically supercharged presence is the highlight of this double bill of vampire chills from Hammer Films. In Countess Dracula, Pitt stars as an aging noblewoman (inspired by the real-life Erzebeth Bathory) who discovers the secret to eternal youth in the veins of young virgins, while in The Vampire Lovers (based on J. Sheridan LeFanu's "Carmilla"), Pitt's sensuous bloodsucker seduces Hammer starlets Madeleine Smith and Kate O'Mara and incurs the vengeful wrath of Peter Cushing. Countess is the more sober of the two films, with Jeremy Paul's script and Peter Sadsy's direction playing out more like an Old Dark House mystery than Hammer horror, while Lovers' aims for comic-book thrills with plenty of nudity and violence (much of which was trimmed from the American version, but reinstated here); in both cases, Pitt's sexy/scary performances make this DVD a memorably viewing experience for vintage and new-school horror fans alike. --Paul Gaita ... Read more

Reviews (19)

High quality late-Hammer.
The under-rated Vampire Lovers is one of the better late Hammer films. Strong direction from Roy Ward Baker (Quatermass and the Pit, Asylum) and a sterling performance from Ingrid Pitt combine to make this adaptation of LeFanu an eerie and sexy vampire film. It's much better than the previous Lust for a Vampire, which was sniggeringly directed by Jimmy Sangster, a great screenwriter but a lame director.

Countess Dracula was directed by the brilliant Peter Sasdy, the helmsman of the masterpieces Taste the Blood of Dracula and Hands of the Ripper. It seems that this film runs afoul of some rather superficial modern viewers who are amazingly impervious to its refined performances (Pitt is even more impressive here than in Vampire Lovers), intelligent script, and artistic and captivating direction: there are those who accuse both these films of possessing bad scripts, antiseptic cinematography, and perfectly awful acting. (Some viewers judge performances based on how believable the accents are. They must gush over Meryl Streep.) The measured pace may also throw some horror fans for a loop: for much of its running time, the film is more of a drama than a horror movie. While I don't rate Countess Dracula quite as highly as the Encyclopedia of Horror does, I have seen it only once and so I'm not in a position to compare it to the other two Sasdy films. That said, it is still the best movie meditation of the Elizabeth Bathory legend I've seen.

In short, this inexpensive DVD is a must for Hammer admirers.

excellent in every way!!!!
MGM has done an amazing job of remastering these great films from 1970. These two films belong to the era when Hammer Films was trying to update their image by featuring nudity and more violence in their films. Both of them star sexy, enigmatic Ingrid Pitt. "Vampire Lovers" is the superior movie with good suspense sequences, very sexy scenes with Ingrid and Madeline Smith and a great cameo by the wonderful Peter Cushing. The transfer on this movies is amazing. It has never looked so good. It also restores a deleted scene cut by AIP that features full frontal nudity by Ingrid Pitt.
"Countess Dracula" is also a good Hammer Film. It is loosely based on the legendary Blood Countess Elizabeth Bathory. It is less explicit both in terms of violence and nudity. It could easily carry a PG-13 rating today. It's worth seeing for some great supporting actors including a very young Leslie Ann-Down. The sets are very lavish for Hammer standards since they were left over from "Anne of a Thousand Days".
The DVD features some very interesting commentaries by directors and scrrenwriters. I'm usually bored by these commentaries, but I wasn't by the ones here.
This DVD is a true Hammer lover's dream and for such a low price!!!!!! Thank you, MGM!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best, such as it is, of Ingrid Pitt's Hammer films
The commonality between these two Hammer films is that they both star Ingrid Pitt, which means they are both driven more by eroticism than horror. "Countess Dracula" is really a metaphorical title because we are not talking about a true member of the Dracula family (or even a vampire for that matter) but rather a figure clearly based on the historic figure of the Countess Elisabeth Bathory, a 16th Century noblewoman who bathed in the blood of virgins to preserve her youth and whose legend is frequently cited in the historical basis for vampirism. In this 1970 film set in medieval Europe, the aging Countess Elisabeth Nadasdy (Ingrid Pitt), is a cruel ruler who discovers that when she washes in the blood of young girls it makes her young again. So she orders her lover, Captain Dobi (Nigel Green) to go out and find more of them. However, when the Countess starts pretending to be her own daughter, Ilona (Lesley-Anne Down), so she can go out and enjoy the company of the younger Imre Toth (Sandor Eles), Dobi gets jealous. Then the Countess discovers that her rejuvenation requires the blood of only virgins, and Dobi's job gets a lot more difficult.

The truth is that the main attraction here is Pitt's countess giving herself a bloody sponge bath, but there is a rather good moment involving a hairpin that stands out in terms of the Hammer films (this DVD package was temporarily withdrawn because "Countess Dracula" was erroneously rated "PG" and you can only wonder how many children were exposed to Pitt's self ministrations). How much you like this film will have to do with what you think about the makeup job on the Countess, because she keeps bouncing back and forth. The subplot with the young lovers Imre and Ilona generates no chemistry and therefore no real interest. In the end, what we keep coming back to is the bloody sponge bath, which becomes the raison d'etre for this film from director Peter Sasdy. This film has nothing to do with the Hammer Dracula series, but that hardly matters to those who like this film.

Much the better of the pair, "The Vampire Lovers," directed by Roy Ward Baker in 1970, is the first in the Karnstein trilogy of Hammer films, all based quite loosely on Joseph Sheridan LeFanu's story "Carmilla." The Karnsteins are a clan of vampires, represented in this version by a bunch of scantily clad women. Pitt stars as Carmilla, who also goes under the anagram names of Mircalla and Marcilla at various points in the story (yes, there is a story). The last of her clan, Carmilla is trying to rebuild, turning first to Laura (Pippa Steele), the daughter of General Spielsdorf (Peter Cushing) and then Emma (Madeleine Smith), the daughter of Roger Morton (George Cole). Along the way she turns Mademoiselle Perrodon (Kate O'Mara) into a sexual slave. In the great tradition of Dracula and most other vampire films, Laura dies before anyone recognizes the marks of the vampire and then the goal is to save poor Emma from the same fate.

There is a lot in "The Vampire Lovers" that never makes much sense. Who is the countess (Dawn Addams) who travels with Mircalla? What is up with the black-clad vampire (John Forbes Robertson) who keeps hanging around? Supposedly Mircalla is the last of her clan, but maybe not. Mircalla keeps saying she loves her victims, but they all end up dead, which certainly does not help out her clan much. In the end it is clear that Hammer, aided and abetted by American International in this instance, was making a flat-out lesbian vampire film. As such, I can honestly say that you are not going to find a better one out there. Ironically, "The Vampire Lovers" ends up being more erotic than the vast majority of films featuring heterosexual relationships between the undead and their victims.

Strange mix of horror and sex; Ingrid Pitt was fairly good.
This double feature, of two of Ingrid Pitt's early films; in which she looked quite good, has a strange mix of horror and sex. She was quite good, and has always struck me as quite enigmatic (but I think her voice might have been dubbed on one, as she has a quite strong accent). The second featured the late, great, Peter Cushing as a nobleman. There was quite a bit of nudity (for the '70's), particularly on Ms. Pitt's part, and a strange reading of "Carmilla", by Ms. Pitt, on the second feature of this double-sided disc. Also, production stills from the movie, under "special features". It also features "Hammer" beauties Dawn Addams and Kate O'Mara. Not cinematic horror "classics" but not a bad pair of movies to see.

A Double Whammy of Ingrid Pitt's Heaving Bosom
MGM has done a fantastic job restoring Hammer Film "Vampire Lovers". Snippets of gore and nudity have been rightfully reinserted. Although "Vampire Lovers" is worthwhile, Peter Sasdy's "Countess Dracula" is the FAR better film. The entire production from art direction, costumes, cinematography, direction, casting, script is superior. The commentary is also much livelier. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Drac" is back once again in this fourth installment of Hammer's Dracula films starring Christopher Lee.Under the guidance of Satanic Priest Lord Courtley, three middle-aged professionals seek to add more spice to their love lives by dabbling in rituals to the Dark Prince. After drinking the blood of the Count, the pleasure seekers kill Lord Courtley, inadvertently awakening Dracula who is dead set on avenging his Priest's murder. Though not on par with Hammer's original "Horror of Dracula", Taste the Blood of Dracula does take all the key elements from the original (beautiful heroines, picturesque settings, gothic ambiance, and Lee as the "Count") and somewhat successfully "cheeses" it up for audiences of the '70s. Those wishing to expand their cheesy '70s Dracula experience will find Morrissey's "Hammeresque" Blood for Dracula a nice compliment. By all counts Taste the Blood of Dracula is a fun, campy romp --Rob Bracco ... Read more

Reviews (31)

The last decent film in Hammer's Dracula series
"Taste the Blood of Dracula" begins with the conclusion of "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave," as a traveling salesman makes off with the count's cape, ring and some of his blood. Figuring these mementoes will be worth something, the salesman returns to England. A few years later we find three decadent London gentlemen--William Hargrove (Geoffrey Keen), Samuel Paxton (Peter Sallis), and Jonathan Secker (John Carson)--who spend their nights drinking and whoring in the East End under the guise of "charity work." The trio have become bored with their indulgences and then have the misfortune of encountering Lord Courtley (Ralph Bates), who comes up with the bright idea of bringing Dracula back to life for fun. The three purchase the relics the salesman brought over from Transylvania but freak out during the magic ritual that involves drinking the potion made from Dracula's blood (one thing you have to say for Hammer films, the titles usually come into play at some point in the narrative). The trio beat up Courtley and flee, but the potion transforms the Lord into the Count (Christopher Lee). Dracula immediately decides Courtley is worthy of revenge and goes after the three men through their children, whereupon much blood-letting ensues.

This is yet another one of Hammer's Dracula films where it ends up being less about the title character and more about what the director is up to. Unlike those films in the series directed by Terence Fisher, who had great affection for the 19th-century, director Peter Sasdy is more interested in seeing the Victorians as hypocrites who basically get what they deserve in the end. "Taste the Blood of Dracula" not only lacks the strong moral counter-presence of a Van Helsing type, it lacks a true hero. Dracula again meets his fate at the end of the film because that is what is supposed to happen, not because we have any vested interest in the boy rescuing the girl. Dracula is clearly an erotic figure whose seduction of the children of the Victorian debauchers heralds their sexual awakenings (e.g., Linda Hayden as Alice Hargood laying sensuously on the lid of Dracula's sarcophagus). For those of you looking for Freudian overtones, look no further, because things get pretty blatant in this film. "Taste the Blood of Dracula" is the last decent film in the Hammer Dracula series, so if you are working through the series in order, you might consider stopping here.

Lee is good as usual, but the movie is deathly dull
William Hargood (Geoffry Keen), Samuel Paxton (Peter Sallis) & Jonathan Seder (John Carson) are three men, well respected in the community who make a pact to sell their souls to the devil. In order to do this they must use the following in their ritual: Dracula's cloak, signet ring, clasp... and his blood in powdered form. (It won't be spoiling anything to say they drink the blood). Unfortunately in the process they murder Lord Courtley, (Ralph Bates) one of Dracula's disciples (It won't be a spoiler to say that HE drinks the blood too) & the Count returns from the grave to seek revenge.
However, it takes one third of the movie until he actually appears. An old codger stumbles across Dracula's body & meets a predictably bloody end. When learning of Courtley's death Dracula announces: "They have destroyed my servant" (Dramatic music) "They will be destroyed". And FINALLY, the movie becomes watchable all of a sudden; with Dracula stalking & doing away with the men one by one in gruesome ways. Go Drac!
This is the fourth entry in Hammer's series of Dracula films; in between DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE & SCARS OF DRACULA. Directed by Peter Sasdy, this is actually one of the lesser of the series, & despite Lee's usual good performance & lots of pretty girls in the supporting cast; TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA is actually pretty dull & forgettable.
It was obvious by this point that the series needed a rev-up, so the follow-up to this was the amusing "modern" DRACULA AD 1972, which is a bit better than this. Watch if you must, but you'll wonder why Lee even bothered to waste his time with this one.
However, the movie is NOT recommended viewing for devout Catholics (Especially the crazy Baptists in Dunedin- stop sending me those dumb hellfire & brimstone letters!) but you'd have to be pretty dogmatic to write this film off as glorifying Satanic practices- especially when they symbolicly drink "blood" every Sunday, right? Mu ha ha. (P.S That's supposed to be evil laughter. Give me a break, I haven't written a review for a while!)

bloody good !
well we had prety much given up hope of ever seeing a decent version of this classic Dracula adventure when Warner anounced
it's release in an unbutchered state.the image is flawless , the sound is good if not expansive but the real treat is that the 4 minutes missing from every print released so far has this time been included.The bordelo scene is now free of the savage editing done by warner in the early 70's to be able to market it to the kiddies.The other additions are very short scenes juged to violent at the time.The result is a film that flows better & has a stronger story & that's it rates a 5 on my scale.
review of the DVD edition

Good story about having children turn on their parents
Well, this time around, Dracula is not the killer, except for when he kills Lucy. He turns the children of the three thrill seekers against them for killing off his "servant". Christopher Lee is great as always playing the count, but it makes you wonder what the point even was of having him in the film. He does not even appear until 45 minutes into it, just when you think the film has nowhere to go.

The version I bought has an "R" rating, although I do not see the difference from the old "PG" videos. Yes, there are a couple of scenes added back like when one person is staked to death and has blood on his face. They also show women barebreasted for a moment, but other than that, what was so "R" about it?

A good sequel, and of course, it leaves the door open for another one.

He's Back
In this version of Dracula, played by Christopher Lee, the location is in Victorian England. Lord Courtley, played by Ralph Bates, resurrects Dracula with the aid of three Victorian gentlemen, but when Courtley drinks Dracula's blood he dies and the three leave him for dead. Dracula revenges the death of his servant by seducing their children and having them kill their own fathers.

This movie was made a year after Dracula Has Risen From The Grave and the next in the series was The Scars of Dracula.

Another interesting note is that Ralph Bates became Hammer's next leading man. ... Read more

Description

The mysterious island village of Balfe is experiencing unexplainable phenomenon--from grossly oversized sea-life to half-buried bodies in the dark woods. Is the town water being contaminated by radioactive waste? Is there a vengeful mutant monster lurking in the woods? Or worse, are the townsfolk being punished for their past sins? It is up to Dr. Del Shaw and the dedicated scientists at Doomwatch headquarters to discover the cause of these horrific mutations. Based on the British television series of the same name, "Doomwatch" is a haunting telltale film that just might be hazardous to your health! ... Read more