Dream cast here - Christopher Lee, Klaus Kinski, Herbert Lom and the beautiful Soledad Miranda, produced by Harry Alan Towers and directed by Jess Franco.
I've read the novel and although in some ways this version is more authentic (e.g. Dracula being grey and moustached, his hair colour darkens and he appears to get younger throughout as a result of his blood drinking) there is no Whitby, England, a key part of the story. Lee probably has more dialogue here than in all his Hammer Dracula movies combined, and he appears to be relishing it. Kinski looks fantastic as the crazed Renfield but sadly delivers no lines. Lom is adequate as Van Helsing but he's no Peter Cushing. The sets are good, the film atmospheric. There are a few blatant day for night scenes, not unusual in horror movies, and there are a couple of comical boulders that move with barely any effort. As a Franco movie it's very tame, not much blood and zero nudity. I liked it. It's never going to be up there with the Universal or Hammer classics but still a worthwhile view for Dracula, Lee or Franco fans.
Review of Count Dracula
