Rating: 
Summary: Dracula at his worst?
Review: Hammer films is famous for producing some of the most effective vampire films ever. This, however, is not one of them.Our protaganist this time around centers himself amidst a group of supposed witches in a coven. One finds out shortly what the purpose of this group is for and what Dracula intends to use their services for. In short, this makes for a very poor plot and low budget effects, we only see Dracula approach one female victim and even then we are spared the horror of her fate. For reasons that are only purley historical was this released on DVD. Hammer fans will be disappointed by this installment, and one can see why that studio shortly thereafter ceased making films.
Rating:
Summary: Dracula at his worst?
Review: Hammer films is famous for producing some of the most effective vampire films ever. This, however, is not one of them. Our protaganist this time around centers himself amidst a group of supposed witches in a coven. One finds out shortly what the purpose of this group is for and what Dracula intends to use their services for. In short, this makes for a very poor plot and low budget effects, we only see Dracula approach one female victim and even then we are spared the horror of her fate. For reasons that are only purley historical was this released on DVD. Hammer fans will be disappointed by this installment, and one can see why that studio shortly thereafter ceased making films.
Rating:
Summary: Something about these Rites doesn't seem right
Review: I am rather embarrassed to admit that The Satanic Rites of Dracula is my first Hammer film. This was Christopher Lee's last portrayal of Count Dracula, and although he failed to impress me here I won't attempt to judge his earlier efforts for which I have heard good things. The movie starts rather horribly, I feel, but it gets much better when Dr. Van Helsing becomes involved in the plot. The script is just a little weird. The setting is modern day England (1974), and the once-again less than vanquished Dracula sets out to get his horrible revenge on the world-his plan is to unleash a plague bacillus that makes the Black Death look like a slight case of psoriasis. Basically, this means he wants to kill every human on earth, at which point it will probably be a little difficult for him to sustain himself on human blood-I'm not sure if he ever thought this thing out all the way. He has helpers of course, and this is where the satanic rites come in. Some of England's bluest of blue-bloods have been brought under his spell and are practicing your basic black magic-murdered cockerels, blood sacrifice, naked women being intimately introduced to a sharp knife, cowls and robes, etc. Apparently, Lucifer and Dracula are pretty tight. Anyway, Dracula's rites don't end at sacrifice; the sacrifice comes back as a vampire, but you already knew that. A few men in the government set out to stop whatever is happening, and they bring in Van Helsing to help them. With him comes his siren-haired granddaughter Jessica (Joanna Lumley), who seems bound and determined to lie on a slab at some point (but, alas, fully clothed, which I think should really be against satanic rules). Her discovery of a basement full of vampire women desperate to free her of her blood is perhaps the most engaging scene in the movie. Peter Cushing's portrayal of Van Helsing pretty much saved this picture in my eyes; his performance got off to a slow start, but there's no stopping him once he gets Dracula in his sights. I do have to say that the ending, I felt, was something of a failure, as everything happened much too easily to satisfy me. It is obvious that this film did not have an unlimited budget; the colors bleed (which sounds appropriate for a vampire film but really isn't) and the music sounds like something from a cheap 70's made-for-TV movie. One vampiress' fangs look incredibly fake, and folks just don't seem to bleed as much as you would expect from stabbings and gunshot wounds. Worst of all, Dracula's henchmen all look like the silent kids in the back of Mr. Kotter's class of Sweathogs and dress alike in Donnie Osmond fur vests. Still, though, despite its faults, it is worth watching. Peter Cushing's performance makes up for a lot of the less successful aspects of the movie. Christopher Lee just never fully succeeds at exerting the power needed to convince me that he is Count Dracula, but I must admit that I suffer from "if it ain't Lugosi, it ain't Dracula" syndrome.
Rating:
Summary: The Black Death of Dracula
Review: I call it the black death of Dracula for 2 reasons, first, there is the plot of Dracula (Christopher Lee) Getting the ultimate revenge on mankind by unleashing the plague on the public to destroy mankind and by doing so to destroy himself forever. The second reason is it really is a pretty poor ending to what was a great series of films.Lots of Satan worshippers, lesbian vampires, kooky clothes, and conspiracy...and oh yeah, BLOOD. All in all not bad for Friday night scare.
Rating:
Summary: What Happened To Transylvania?
Review: I have nothing against this movie.It is actually very entertaining,but it just isn't like Dracula.In the older movies from the fifties and sixties,Dracula haunted people from awhile ago,in the 1800's,but now it takes place in the seventies.Christopher Lee's Dracula hair is really weird,but he still does the role good.Peter Cushing is his usual excellent self.But if this film didn't have either of them, i'm sure nobody would like it.If you want a classic Dracula film,see 'The Horror of Dracula".
Rating: 
Summary: Shakes and Jumps
Review: I like the cast and story, but my complaint lies with the picture quality. The first few scenes appear to shake a bit as if the camera wasn't steady. There are also a few jumps in the footage. One second a character is standing in one spot, the next he's moved a little. I was hoping for better quality on DVD. However, it is still better than the VHS version. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Special Edition.
Rating: 
Summary: THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA
Review: I recently purchased this movie, and after viewing it I got mixed feelings about it. The plot is exeptional and has alot to offer. Dracula and his loyal band of high society devil worshipers have developed a mutant form of the dreaded Bubonic Plague. This virus can spread from one person to another by touch, thus all of mankind can become infected in a matter of months. In doing this, Dracula will end his life and get the "last laugh" on humankind. Definitely fast paced, and very suspensful, this film benefits from Cushing's excellent performance. This isn't Lee's best work, but he does get the job done. Putting Dracula in the 70's was a major mistake. Dracula needs the moody, dark, and gothic ambience of the 19th century to be truly effective. Thanks to Lee's performance, the character manages to be effective enough to satisfy the audience. The one thing that REALLY ruins this film is the dreadful music. It is so James Bond, and it doesn't belong in a Dracula movie. Period. If Dracula wasn't present, I'd swear this was a Hammer James Bond movie. The plot teeters dangerously close to the realm of camp, but a good cast and excellent performances do make this film worth watching over and over. All in all, a fitting end to an excpetional saga. It's great to see Lee pitted against Cushing. They are the dynamic duo of Hammer horror. If you have seen the other Hammer Draculas, don't skip this one. It's reasonably good entertainment and provides an exiting firey finish to the Hammer Dracula saga.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly entertaining!!! Good quality for the price!
Review: I was plesently surprised by the film. Although no masterpiece, the plot was very entertaining and bizarre. (I liked the "Vampire Brides" who are kept in the cellar!) In fact, the film was quite good on all levels until the extremely disappointing final few minutes of the film. Nevertheless, I found this movie to be much more entertaining than Taste the Blood of Dracula, Dracula Has Risen from the Grave and the dreadfully awful Scars of Dracula. As for the quality of this budget DVD, it was pretty good for the price. Picure quality isn't nearly as good as the DVDs being put out by the big studios, but it is much better than the cheepie VHS tapes that used to sell for this price. Unfortunately, the DVD has no extras, not even a trailor. But for this price, you can't go wrong!
Rating:
Summary: Better than people say...
Review: In 1970's England, a Satanic cult uses its powers and sacrifices to revive the long dead Count Dracula, and to provide him with an army of brides. The police enlist the help of the latest Van Helsings to put an end to the murders. There's something worse going on though, because the newly revived Count Dracula has a plan to eradicate the human race using a souped up version of the plague. It spreads and kills instantly, and will rid the planet of filthy humans in no time flat. Van Helsing, his granddaughter, and the police, must put an end to Dracula's evil once more, or this time the whole world may pay the price.
It's true that Hammer's Dracula DID need to move out of the 19th century for the sake of refreshing the plot. While it could have been better, it came out pretty good nonetheless. The older films were very good atmospherically, but lacked originality. This movie has that. The Black Plague plot was really a great twist, though it might have made a better ending if the other side had won. One problem though, these movies take too long to introduce Dracula. Especially this one, since it didn't have the atmosphere of the other films, though it was great when Dracula did show up! As for the DVD I bought, it was the Platinum version and only 6.99 where I bought it, though it had almost no extras. Just biographies on Lee and Cushing and a quiz. It was Widescreen, but I don't know if it was a "fake" widescreen like the Anchor Bay one supposedly is. All in all though, I was pleased. I just hope I didn't get ripped off with the Fake Widescreen.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable, creepy, though somewhat campy romp
Review: It is ironic that Christopher Lee, long past the breaking point and eager to disavow himself from the role of Dracula, turns in what may be one of his best performances as the vampire. Indeed, Lee's unhappyness with the role seems to have effectively translated itself in his portrayal of a world-weary Dracula who, after hundreds of years of vampiric unlife and countless resurrections, finally yearns for an end to it all. Lee is simultaneously menacing and sympathetic in his last turn as Dracula. After numerous tired rehashes of the Bram Stoker formula in the last several Hammer films, the once-glorious menace of Dracula is restored anew in a totally different form. Backed by an army of fanatical followers, both vampire and human, Dracula exudes a definite threat that gives the film a distinct atmosphere of suspense and paranoia. Peter Cushing turns in his ever-dependable portrayal of the crusading Professor Van Helsing. Also worth noting is a young Joanna Lumley as Van Helsing's granddaughter. It's just a pity that the actress didn't have more to do in this film. The production is quite over-the-top at times, with (by the standards of the time) liberal does of gore and sexuality. And one would have hoped for a somewhat more dramatic final confrontation between Dracula and Van Helsing, considering this was the last time Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing would portray the roles together. Nevertheless, it's an entertaining enough film, at a very affordable price.
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