TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA (uk dvd)
hammer horror

Three seemingly upstanding Victorian citizens (Geoffrey Keene, Peter Sallis, John Carson), accompany the disowned Lord Courtley (Ralph Bates), in an attempt to revive Dracula. The ceremony leads to the death of the upstart Lord, and the others flee. When Dracula is then revived, he begins a careful revenge through their daughters...

dvd review

Peter Sasdy is undoubtedly one of the best things to happen to Hammer in the transitional period following the abandoning of the old Bray Studio. The Hungarian director has a natural flair for the genre, and injects each of his films with charm, style and enthusiasm. After the piss-poor effort of Dracula Has Risen From the Grave, Taste the Blood is a relief and a revelation. It demonstrates that there was life in the old company, and that the ideas well hadn't been drained dry just yet. The film did very well at the box-office, and deservedly slow.

Sasdy is left with the same problem as Francis, Dracula has been tagged on to the film, and given little to do himself, hiding in the confines of a deconsecrated church (but which still has enough symbolic power it seems to play a part in restraining him).

We open with Roy Kinnear witnessing the demise of Dracula from the previous film, and move through the credits (which waste no screen time, by playing over establishing shots and dialogue). We quickly see the depths of Victorian hypocrisy, when Alice's (the enchanting Linda Hayden) father (Geoffrey Keen) chastises her for flirting with Paul (Anthony Corlan) before heading off to a brothel with Paul's father (Peter Sallis) and collegue. The introduction of Ralph Bates is the begining of his brief but popular association with the company. The charming actor is given little to do, but moves the plot on well. Thereafter, the revenge storyline (penned by Anthony Hinds under his usual pseudenonym John Elder) strikes me as being very similar to the plotline of a Hammer Mummy picture.

The pace is steadily built, never going too far, and always building enough tension. There is little humour, but some light moments to throw the viewer off-guard. Other critics have commented on the aptness of utilising the prince of decadence to destroy Victorian hypocrisy, and it is this balance which is so central to the film's raison d'etre. From the whore-house on.

This is a later Hammer masterpiece. Whilst perhaps not as enthralling as the early Gothics, the film is well designed, photographed, directed, staged, performed. James Bernard's score is simply beautiful, without being too melodramatic. I hadn't seen this picture for at least five years, and for me it was a pleasure rediscovering a film which is deservedly praised.

transfer
As derserving a film of this calibre, the picture restoration is wonderful. The 1.85:1 anamorphic print is crisp and clean, with little sparkle, hiss, dirt or any other fault - until the closing credits, where scratching is in evidence. Odd that. Colours are rich, and clarity is a revelation. The old Warner video, was very dark, and the first few scenes in the forest should indicate the benefits of the new print. I believe the print is the restored American one, bearing the Warner Bros logo at the start rather than Warner-Pathe. Sound is a very clear mono. Also includes mono French and German tracks.

extras
A trailer -with more dirt in evidence than the main film. Also subtitles in lots of languages, including: English, French, German, Dutch, Sweedish, English for Hearing Impaired, German for Hearing Impaired.

RJES

PURCHASE R2 DVD

DISC:
Release Date: 21st June 2004 (UK)

Feature length: 91 mins
Year of 1st release: 1970
Rating: 15
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 anamorphically enhanced widescreen
Audio: Mono : English, French, German
No of Discs: 1
Region code: 2 / 4 / 5
Catalogue no:
Distributor: Warner Home Video
Price: £12.99
Cast: Christopher Lee, Linda Hayden, Martin Jarvis, Isla Blair, Geoffrey Keen, Peter Sallis, Michael Ripper
Director: Peter Sasdy

SPECIAL FEATURES:
* theatrical trailer
* subtitles
see left for full details