The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1978)

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Crappy film

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Although it's Hammer movie about Dracula, with Christopher Lee in the lead role, this is not a horror but a conspiracy crime thriller. Nevertheless, despite the original approach to the topic, an interesting idea and a good cast, the film is quite boring.5/10

There is nothing like a Dracula film based on a true story. It seems the British version of the Bilderbergs along with their Proctor & Gamble counter parts are satanic worshipers (something we all suspected because we all got the e-mail). The bad bikers wear animal skin vests. People who are held prisoner at the International House of Satan must have their left sleeve ripped (there are 3, count 'em.) They plan on taking over the world by releasing a deadly yeast infection, worse than the one my wife claimed she had for 10 years. This varmint was exposed to "radioactive neutrons."Only one man is strong enough to combat a Christopher Lee vampire, and that is a Peter Cushing Van Helsing. The film is campy in a modern sense.First off neutrons do not become radioactive. They are radiation. It is like saying "ammo bullets." Secondly, silver bullets made from melting down crosses are for werewolves, not really good vampire stoppers. And thirdly, the P&G thing is a joke. God knows they sued enough people.Parental Guide: No sex or f-bombs. Nudity.

The widely despised final outing for Christopher Lee in his most famous role turns out to be much more entertaining than one would imagine. To enjoy the film one must firstly realise the numerous flaws - it's clichéd, in some places boring and plot less, and some parts don't make sense. But once the viewer gets over these obstacles (no small feat) then he'll find himself enjoying this action-cum-horror film from director Alan Gibson, who also blessed us with Dracula A.D. 1972. Indeed, the horror takes a back seat to the typical action we're used to seeing in such television shows as THE AVENGERS. Indeed, Joanna Lumley even stars (replacing Stephanie Beacham from the previous instalment) which makes the film seem even more like an episode of THE NEW AVENGERS than ever. I'm a big fan of '60s and '70s television shows so maybe that explains why I enjoyed this outing so much.The Satanic Rites of Dracula benefits from a superb cast. Christopher Lee is this time a villain who plans world domination as well as his usual fang-sinking exploits, and although he was sick of the role by this stage he is still perfectly adequate at cutting an imposing presence by lurking around with his long black cape and biting people. Peter Cushing's mere presence lifts the film a few notches as he brings back his role of the stern and inherently good Van Helsing, the perfect match for Lee's evil, murderous Dracula. Joanna Lumley provides effective support and Michael Coles is something of a poor man's David Warner (the resemblance is truly uncanny). Freddie Jones enjoys his small role.Included in the plot is a thread about a super plague which is entertaining. There are lots of fight scenes with guards and electronic things exploding (a staple of this decade) as well as shooting for a change (Cushing even takes a slug at one point). Scenes to watch out for are the bit where Cushing visits Lee in his high rise tower block, and Lee speaks with a Bela Lugosi mock accent. There is also a spectacular fiery ending where one man contracts the plague and rots into a black mess while Cushing and Lee lurk about in the forest outside, before Lee gets impaled on a fence post - and dissolves once again! There's a lot of cheesy fun and action to be had from this film, and I enjoyed it a heck of a lot. If you treat it kindly and as a type of cult item then The Satanic Rites of Dracula may just be your cup of tea.

Alan Gibson returned to direct this sequel to "Dracula A.D. 1972" that again sees Peter Cushing returning as professor Van Helsing, who is called upon by old friend Inspector Murray(played by Michael Coles) to investigate cases of reported vampires that lead to a reclusive real estate developer who turns out to be Count Dracula(played by Christopher Lee for the last time) who is developing a plague virus to wipe out the human race...Van Helsing must risk everything to stop him. Equally illogical and preposterous sequel makes little sense, with incredibly sloppy writing(How was Dracula resurrected? He just was, and that's it!) A waste of two legendary actors, who deserved far better.