The sadly departed Christopher Lee made his name as a horror film actor, most notably playing Count Dracula in seven of the Hammer Films productions from 1958 to 1973, where he brought an animalistic rage and predatory sexuality to the character. As that was going on, he was employed to play the Count elsewhere, including in the Spanish film we're looking at today, El Conde Dracula, known in English by its translated title, Count Dracula, released in 1970.
Legendary exploitation horror director Jesus "Jess" Franco wanted to make a Dracula film that was totally faithful to Bram Stoker's novel. In honesty, he fell short of the mark in a couple of ways; for instance, Quincey Morris does not appear at all. That may have been due to lack of resources more than anything else. Lee's physical appearance as the Count is very true to Stoker's description, as is the dialogue in general. Franco also went all-out for the supporting cast. Dr. Van Helsing is played by Herbert Lom, probably best remembered as Clouseau's frustrated boss in the Pink Panther films, or as the title character in Hammer's Phantom of the Opera. And who better to portray Dracula's insane follower Renfield than notoriously eccentric German actor Klaus Kinski? Also, the authentic Spanish locales provide a great atmosphere. No castle of Dracula could ever be a match for the 1931 Universal film, but this one gives you a sense of how Dracula's "life" would really have been like.
Given the oppressive Spanish government at the time, the filmmakers had to tread lightly. But now, an uncut version is available. While not graphic, it does restore the ambience of sexuality. This one also has commentary by David del Valle and Maria Rohm, who played Lucy; interviews with the director and actors, and exceprts of the Dracula novel read by Christopher Lee himself. How can you go wrong with that?
Time was on Dracula's side, and now it's on yours.
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