Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Ah the horror of the unknown and the evils it may bring. Not so horrifying for one traveling salesman as he comes across the collection of a lifetime.  So board up your windows and hang your garlic wreathes. This is Taste the Blood of Dracula.

Only truth faith will ward off spoilers.
 
Taking the reins from director Freddie Francis (Dracula Has Risen From the Grave, The Elephant Man, Glory, Cape Fear 1991 remake and The Straight Story), director Peter Sasdy (Countess Dracula, Hands of the Ripper and The Lonely Lady) tackles the fourth of the seven Hammer Productions of Dracula.  We open with a carriage ride of collector and salesman Weller (Roy Kinnear of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, The Hill and Watership Down) showing off bits and bobs to his fellow passengers when one attacks him for a snow globe. The other pushes Weller out the carriage tossing his items with him.  Weller awakes from being stunned hours later, wonders through the woods only to hear an unholy scream of agony.  He rushes to witness Dracula (Christopher Lee of Horror of Dracula, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Airport ’77, The Last Unicorn) bleeding out and turning to dust.  So like any Good Samaritan he collects the dusted imbued blood, royal seal, ring and cloak of Dracula.  Maybe there was a fan base in England, who can really say?   Cut to months ahead and three distinguished gentlemen are out for the night for their once a month leisure.  Here’s a hint, it’s not rugby. 

 Living decadent in the brothel, Hargood (Geoffrey Keen of Doctor Zhivago, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker and The Living Daylights) Paxton (Peter Sallis of Last of the Summer Wine, Wallace & Gromit in The Wrong Trouser, Wallace and Gromit in A Close Shave and Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit) and Secker (John Carson of The Plague of the Zombies, Captain Kronos- Vampire Hunter and Doomsday) were bored with the usual romps and encounter the excommunicated Lord Courtley (Ralph Bates of The Horror of Frankenstein,  Lust for a Vampire, Dr. Jekyll &Sister Hyde and Dear John) who just may have the solution to their woes but alas he lacks the fiscal standing to purchase that of which they need.   Disgruntled at the cost; the three men each chip in to buy Dracula’s effects and what is said to be his blood for a Black Mass ritual.  Yeah cause that is what Church going folks should attempt.  

As each man refuses to drink of Dracula’s blood, Courtley drinks it himself, screams to the level of Jamie Lee Curtis and throws himself on the ground like Patti Duke.   He attempts to grab the men’s legs as a means to steady himself and each man kicks him until Courtley dies and then they all head home.  Courtley bled out in Dracula’s powdered remains rejuvenates him and resurrects the monster that then goes on revenge against this upstanding sort.  
Once again the Hammer Production really gets in gear with amazing sets, background and a well rounded casting.  I was just stunned that the re-introduction of Van Helsing did not happen; as he is Dracula’s true mortal enemy.   The story was well thought out, the pace a bit slower than I cared for but the musical score, camera angles and Christopher Lee’s portrayal of Dracula…well honestly it’s pretty damn creepy and frankly it was an enjoyable movie.  And yes boys so it doesn’t get too artsy there is nudity.  Oh sorry that went over their head. *ahem” BOOBIES!!!

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age