There was no shortage of vampire movies in the early 1970s, so it's understandable how this gem became a bit lost in the shuffle. In this sadly underrated version, Jack Palance's interpretation of the Count is both powerful and frightening under the skilled direction of Dan Curtis. A great script from legendary horror / sci-fi veteran Richard Matheson adds much to the value as well. The film has solid production values and a standout performance from Nigel Davenport as Van Helsing.

Jack Palance with fangs

In 1897, creepy Count Dracula in Transylvania (Jack Palance) acquires London property from Jonathan Harker (Murray Brown) whereupon he moves and falls for a woman who looks like his wife from 400 years earlier (Fiona Lewis), facing the opposition of Van Helsing & his sidekick (Nigel Davenport and Simon Ward). Penelope Horner is on hand as Mina.

"Dracula” (1974) was directed by Dan Curtis and written by Richard Matheson based on Bram Stoker’s novel of Victorian horror. The undead Count is more sympathetic here in comparison to Christopher Lee’s take in the Ha... read the rest.