Taste the Blood of Dracula

Hammer Film Productions

Company type	Film production company
Industry	Film production
Founded	1934
Founder	William Hinds, Enrique Carreras
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Products	Films, especially horror films

Taste the Blood of Dracula is a 1970 British supernatural horror film produced by Hammer Film Productions. Directed by Peter Sasdy and written by Anthony Hinds, it represents the fifth entry in Hammer's Dracula franchise and marks the fourth occasion featuring Christopher Lee as Count Dracula. The cast also includes Geoffrey Keen and Gwen Watford.

In the United Kingdom, the movie premiered as part of a double bill alongside Crescendo, another title from Hammer. Its successor, Scars of Dracula, was also released in 1970.

In the American market, Taste the Blood of Dracula topped the box office charts in November 1970, screened together with Trog.

Plot

During a journey across Eastern Europe, businessman Weller is thrown from his carriage and encounters a cloaked figure pierced by a crucifix who disintegrates, leaving behind a ring and cloak inscribed with the name Dracula.

Subsequently, three gentlemen—William Hargood, Samuel Paxton, and Jonathon Secker—engage in indulgent activities under the pretense of philanthropy. They meet Lord Courtley, an exiled aristocrat who introduces them to Weller’s auction of Dracula’s relics: the ring, cloak, and dried blood. At a deserted church, Courtley drinks a blood concoction but is murdered by the trio; his corpse then transforms into Dracula, who swears vengeance.

Hargood mistreats his daughter Alice due to her relationship with Paul, Paxton's son. Under Dracula’s hypnotic influence, Alice kills her father. During Hargood's funeral, Alice presents Lucy, Paul's sister, to Dracula, who subsequently turns Lucy into a vampire.

Paxton and Secker investigate; Secker attempts to stake Lucy but is shot by Paxton. Under Dracula’s control, Lucy kills Paxton. Secker’s son Jeremy becomes enslaved after an encounter with Lucy and murders his father. Dracula then destroys Lucy after draining her life force.

Paul discovers instructions left by Secker on vampire eradication. He consecrates the church and confronts Dracula. With Alice’s assistance, Paul traps Dracula inside the sacred space where holy symbols weaken him. Overcome by the sanctified environment, Dracula disintegrates into dust. Paul and Alice depart as the vampire menace concludes.

Production notes

• The original script for Taste the Blood of Dracula did not include Dracula himself; instead, Lord Courtley—portrayed by Ralph Bates—was intended to become a vampire seeking revenge. However, Warner Bros. required Dracula's presence for distribution, prompting Hammer to convince Christopher Lee to reprise his role, replacing Courtley’s resurrection.
• Scenes depicting a visit to a brothel were significantly cut in the initial release but fully restored in subsequent DVD versions.
• An alternate sequence showing Lucy turning Jeremy into a vampire was filmed but ultimately removed, likely to maintain narrative clarity.

Certification

Initially rated GP in the United States, the film received an R rating on DVD release due to sexual content, nudity, and brief violent scenes.

Critical reception

Variety commended director Peter Sasdy for his skillful direction and highlighted Christopher Lee’s confident performance. Conversely, The Monthly Film Bulletin labeled the film as a typical Hammer horror entry, criticizing its cumbersome script and the limited emphasis on Dracula. The Los Angeles Times regarded it as an improvement over its predecessor in terms of production quality and atmosphere, particularly noting Lee’s powerful depiction.

According to The Hammer Story: The Authorised History of Hammer Films, this installment stands as "the best authentic Dracula sequel" within the franchise. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 54% approval rating derived from 12 critiques.

Home media

The film was issued on 6 November 2007 as part of a collection featuring Dracula, Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, and Dracula A.D. 1972.

Later, on 6 October 2015, it was included in a Hammer Blu-ray set alongside Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, and The Mummy. Additionally, it received an individual Blu-ray release.

See also

• Vampire film
• Dracula (Hammer film series)
• Hammer filmography