Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs
(Post 676985)
Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970) ★★½
Picking up roughly after the events of Dracula Has from the Grave, this begins with a businessman, Weller (Roy Kinnear) who is thrown from his carriage. After regaining consciousness, he sees a caped figure with a large crucifix sticking out of his back disintegrating into melted wax crayon, which then evaporated into powder. In it, he finds jewellery identifying the mysterious being as Dracula.
Long story short, Weller has taken some of the desiccated blood and sells it to three rich philanthropists (including one played by Peter Sallis) who, in a black mass ritual with a disgraced aristocrat, resurrect Count Dracula.
Most people would be grateful at being given another life, but Dracula is pissed off at these three gents and decides to kill them, turning – as in Dracula (1958) – one of their daughters (Linda Hayden) into a vampire in the process.
Despite some decent atmosphere, this uninspired sequel can't seem to make its mind up whether to prominently feature Christopher Lee or not, so the great actor, who doesn't appear until the 45th minute in this 95-minute film, can't have more than five minutes screen time.
Linda Hayden is good value for money, though not quite as captivating as in Blood on Satan's Claw, and the costumes and production design are typically good for a Hammer production.
Overall, the film is a bit leaden and lacks the energy, engagement, and eeriness of the Terence Fisher-helmed Dracula films.
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