Starring - Joe Dallesandro (Cry-Baby, Theodore Rex), Udo Kier (Halloween, Modern Vampires), and Vittorio de Sica (The Hero, Snow Job)
Release Date - 1984
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "After Andy Warhol's Frankenstein..."
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I've been lucky enough to review several dozens of horror films centered around Dracula. A bunch of them were the classic Universal releases while a good portion of them were the Hammer Horror titles. The rest were one off films from the 80s, 90s, and 00s and there was even a few indie productions that were not too bad. Dracula is one of the most iconic horror figures and there has been hundreds of adaptations of the character over the years. In 1974 Paul Morrissey, Udo Kier, and Andy Warhol once again teamed up almost immediately after filming Flesh for Frankenstein to film Blood for Dracula which was also released under the title Andy Warhol's Dracula. The film recently received an UHD release from Severin Films. My friends over at MVD were kind enough to send over a review copy of this amazing release. Thanks guys!
The film follows a dying Dracula (Kier) who leaves his castle with his servant to travel to Italy in search of virgin blood. He visits a family with several daughters rumored to be virgins. The family has came on hard times recently when the father gambled away their fortunes. They believe that Dracula is the answer to their prayers but he's much worse when he starts feeding on the daughters and discovers they are no longer virgins. Facing death, Dracula prepares to leave but discovers that their oldest daughter, who was once engaged, is actually still a virgin but the family's hired hand suspects he is a vampire and refuses to let him live once he discovers what he really is.
Blood for Dracula is nowhere near as entertaining as Flesh for Frankenstein but it is one of the better Dracula films to come out of the mid-70s. It's sultry, bloody, and rich in story but it does give us a different spin on Dracula which will turn some fans off. It's a unique spin on the iconic character but what makes it different does make it a bit dull. The acting in this one is fantastic. Kier is an absolute legend and this is probably my favorite performance from him. His portrayal of Dracula is completely different than what I was expecting and he absolutely nailed it. The same can be said about the supporting cast. The characters are all memorable with no noticeable weak links. They are all beautifully written and the cast does a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. The story for this one doesn't paint Dracula is a beautiful man with other worldly powers and an insatiable bloodlust. Instead, he's a frail man struggling to stay alive as he searches for virgin blood in Italy in hopes that the residents of the country are strict Catholics. It's a different take on the story and one that I somewhat enjoyed. It does wear itself thin and watching Dracula whine becomes a bit repetitive as the film progresses. I understand the need to set itself apart from other Dracula films but this one doesn't really feel like a Dracula flick. It's still a fun watch but nothing like you would expect. Finally, the film has some blood, plenty of nudity, and one hell of a death scene during the final moments of the film. That final death scene is very impressive and one of the most memorable Dracula deaths that I recall. The film is worth it for that scene alone. Overall, Blood for Dracula is a must see for genre fans especially if you are looking for a new spin on the old Dracula tale. It may disappoint some of you that are expecting a true adaptation but if you are looking for something new with blood and plenty of skin then I highly recommend it. The UHD release from Severin is a must own.
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