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Movie_rating.jpg (1221 bytes)4.5 outta 5
Video_rating.jpg (1233 bytes)3.5 outta 5
Audio_rating.jpg (1197 bytes)3.5 outta 5
Xtras_rating.jpg (1285 bytes)3.5 outta 5
Overall_rating.jpg (1475 bytes)4 outta 5

Blood For Dracula
Directed by Paul Morrissey ; Starring Udo Kier, Joe Dallesandro
The Criterion Collection ; Region 0 ; NTSC ; Non-Anamorphic 1.85:1 ; Mono ; Commentary, Stills Gallery

Despite being more subdued than its predecessor Flesh For Frankenstein, Blood For Dracula is easliy the better film. In it we find the count and his assistant, Anton, travelling to Italy in search of a virgin bride. They stay with the di Fiore family who, desperate for some wealth, attempt to convice the count that their daughters are pure.

While not as outrageously gory as Flesh For Frankenstein, B4D still provides plenty of blood vomiting, dismemberment and nudity. Kier's portrayal of the count is both hilarious and touching. Joe Dallesandro is unforgetably sleazy as the commie, woman-beating, child rapist (and he's meant to be the good guy!!)

The non-anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer looks very nice indeed. Closeups show striking clarity which F4F was unable to provide (largely due to the fact that it was shot in 3D and thus provided few closeups). There were no distracting film or video artifacts and NTSC 3:2 pulldown doesn't seem to have affected horizontal movement too severely.

Like any movie of its vintage, the sound isn't mind-blowing, but it's as good as I'd expect it to be.

On the extras front, we get a commentary with (like F4F) Maurice Yakowar, Morrisey and Kier. Seems to me that Yakowar reads a little too much into the two films, but his commentary is nevertheless interesting and Morrisey & Kier's contributions provide many interesting tid-bits.

Also like F4F, this disk has a stills gallery backed by Claudio Gizzi's beautiful score. I wish that more stills gallerys would be presented like this - it's much more pleasant than having to press a button for each shot.

Wrapped up with a very elegant main menu, B4D is an essential addition to any true horror, and film fan alike's collection.