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The Satanic Rites Of Dracula (1974)

UK quad poster

UK quad poster image courtesy of hammerhorror

Also known as:

Count Dracula and His Vampire Bride (USA)

Starring:

Christopher Lee
Peter Cushing
Joanna Lumley
Michael Coles
William Franklyn
Freddie Jones
Richard Vernon
Patrick Barr
Barbara Yu Ling
Lockwood West
Richard Mathews
Maurice O'Connell
Valerie Van Ost

Status: In Release

Category: Film

Genre: Horror

Country of origin: USA

Language: English

Running time: TBA

Directed by: Alan Gibson

Written by: Don Houghton

Produced by: Roy Skeggs

Synopsis

The police and British security forces call in Professor Van Helsing (Cushing) to help them investigate Satanic ritual which has been occurring in a large country house, and which has been attended by a government minister, an eminent scientist and secret service chief. The owner of the house is a mysterious property tycoon who is found to be behind a sinister plot involving a deadly plague. It is in fact Count Dracula (Lee) who, sick of his interminable existence, has decided that he must end it all in the only possible way- by destroying every last potential victim.

The final Hammer Dracula film to star Christopher Lee.

Comments

rikstewart1979

05 Oct 2012, 8:59pm

I would love a BD/DVD double play of this fantastic film, how about it Hammer?

Omar

24 Apr 2012, 8:11pm

The most memorable scene was the cellar with all the vampire women attacking Joanna Lumley.

rindulus

08 Feb 2012, 5:38pm

I didn't enjoy this one. They assembled an amazing cast but Christopher Lee looks bored. The story was even more ridiculous than usual. The low budget restrictions all too evident on screen. Don Houghton, a great writer, seems to have been viewing too much Doomwatch/Doctor Who ( for which he wrote the brilliant 'Inferno'). Still, the film wins points for Peter Cushing's never less than brilliant performance as Van Helsing. After some iconic films in the series this just does not pass muster.

kronos79

30 Dec 2011, 2:18pm

i think its time for the satanic rites to get a proper remastered/uncut dvd or even bluray release. its such an underated film and one of my favourites.

andy867

23 Nov 2011, 10:16pm

Still waiting for a official Re-mastered DVD release of this,The FINAL Hammer Dracula.All you can buy are very poor quality VHS transfers.It's about time we got an offical Region 2 DVD release of this final entry of the Vampire count!!!!!Come on warners or whoever now hold' s the copyright.....Get your finger out!!!

bigguy2011

17 Oct 2011, 5:39am

i own this one also it differnt than the other dracula's movies i enjoy watching it

Biggfeet

18 Jul 2011, 8:53pm

Didn't enjoy this. Dracula takes forever and a night to appear and by the time he does it looks like a cheap porn film. A sad waste of all the talented actors.

Satanic Rites of Simon

15 May 2011, 11:52am

Definatly the better of the two modern day Dracula films. Having Christopher Lee play the Count as a Howard Hughes-esque Tycoon is a nice twist, and bringing him into the present readdresses the balance missing from A.D. 1972. I first saw this film when I was 12 and remember how chilling I found it. Okay, that element is missing now, but it is still hugely enjoyable, and not for any kitcsh value- the satanic rite at the beginning is genuinly thrilling. Also, the idea of Dracula wanting an end to his immortality and bringing mankind down to achieve this makes a change from the usual 'I like that girl, I'll have that one' plot of previous films. Don Houghton redeemed himself here, which is a shame for what came after this!

gustav the cat

29 Oct 2010, 11:43pm

GUSTAV THE CAT

gustav the cat

29 Oct 2010, 11:43pm

GUSTAV THE CAT

Chojin

13 Oct 2010, 4:46pm

this was butchered by the bbfc so i hope they use an uncut print original run time was almost 93 mins, the film is in public domain longest around is 87 mins

Andicula

07 Oct 2010, 12:10pm

I have fond memories of this film,Peter Cushing shines as always in his role,and Christopher lee gets too speak lines and even speaks with an east European accent ,what more could you want,yes a half decent print of the Movie would be good,seems like this will be happening next year?do not go American region 1 all their copies are rubbish,

misterbrooks

29 Sep 2010, 11:46pm

It's sad that this film usually is looked on by most Hammer fans as a real pooper! But, I've always loved it. Great scenes with Peter and Christopher...and really great ending, like the theme music too. Maybe, if you haven't seen it for a while...grab a lovely dvd in smashing clear quality and give it another whirl...you know you want to really.. Marcus

alandhopewell

24 Sep 2010, 8:50pm

I recently got this on DVD, not as bad as advertised.

andythehammer

20 Sep 2010, 2:02pm

Very underrated in my view, a great movie with great cast... please bring out on region 2.

tombombadil

19 Sep 2010, 2:59pm

I have the Region 1 Anchor Bay release of Satanic Rites, which seems to be the best version around on DVD at present, although it may be difficult to get hold of. A new Region 2 release would be very welcome. (Hammer – please ensure this is uncut and in the correct aspect ratio. Recent R2 releases of Lost Continent and Brides Of Dracula have been either cut or presented incorrectly.) The irony is that many of the best DVD versions are only available on Region 1. The Hammer Horror Series, Icons Of Suspense and Icons Of Horror sets have been wonderful and are highly recommended

Bela Lugosi

14 Sep 2010, 4:10pm

Quite exciting news this as my Laserdisc is now getting rather worn out having viewed it more than 300 times over oh so many years.

tombombadil

13 Sep 2010, 6:57pm

This is one of my favourite Hammer films from the 70s. It's so underrated and so much better than Dracula AD 1972. It almost feels like an episode of The Avengers, but with more horror and intrigue. Peter Cushing and Freddie Jones are wonderful as usual. The tone of this also reminds me of Channel 4's Ultraviolet series created by Joe Ahearne in the 90s. If Hammer ever wanted a new franchise to launch them into the new century, then an update or remake of Ultraviolet would be perfect. It's a mixture of Satanic Rites mixed with The X-Files.

Eamonn

13 Sep 2010, 6:30pm

Any more information on the DVD release in 2011?