Countess Dracula

The Movie

Countess Elizabeth is an embittered widow who discovers by chance that the blood of young women can restore her youth.

Enlisting the aid of her devoted maid, she kidnaps and kills a maidservant, making herself appear 25 years younger. She then embarks on a passionate affair with a young officer, until she suddenly reverts to her old self ... what can she do? And who can stop her?

Apparently based on Countess Elizabeth Bathory, a 16th century noblewoman who bathed in the blood of virgins.

Review

This really is a bad film. Struck by the Curse of Hammer, it has a weak director, poor script and solid caste of actors - with no star among them. the real tragedy is that the story has been stretched to 89 minutes with little depth of character and just one (feeble) sub plot. In the 16th century, a Countess could do do pretty well as she pleased - as the 'real' one no doubt did. So the elaborate subterfuges here amount to no more than false suspense.

Not a vampire movie in the traditional sense; merely a noblewoman going through the motions. And no mention of dracula until the last 37 seconds; a weak marketing ploy, is all.

The DVD

• Director: Peter Sasdy
• Screenplay: Jeremy Paul
• Story: Sasdy and Alexander Paal from an idea by Gabriel Ronay
• Producer: Paal
• Photography: Ken Talbot
• Music: Harry Robinson
• Special Effects: Bert Luxford
• Makeup: Tom Smith
• Art Direction: Philip Harrison
• Production Company: Hammer
• Cast:
  • Ingrid Pitt (Countess Elizabeth Nadasdy)
  • Nigel Green (Captain Dobi)
  • Sandor Eles (Imre Toth)
  • Maurice Denham (Master Fabio)
  • Patience Collier (Julia)
  • Lesley Anne Down (Ilona)