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Drama Cult Classic

Christopher Lee becomes the ageless predator of Jess Franco's fiercely faithful Dracula adaptation.

COUNT DRACULA

1970 · 1h 38m · PG · Drama / Horror · IMDB TMDB

Jess Franco's version of the Bram Stoker classic has Count Dracula as an old man who grows younger whenever he dines on the blood of young maidens.

Quick Answer

What is Count Dracula about?

Count Dracula is a 1970 Germany/Italy/Liechtenstein/Spain drama-horror film directed by Jesús Franco about a lawyer's journey to Castle Dracula and his terrifying encounter with the infamous vampire.

Programmer's Pick

Jess Franco manages to capture the musty, decadent atmosphere of Stoker’s novel, with Christopher Lee giving Dracula a chilling, rejuvenated aura. The film leans hard into gothic flair and delivers unintentional humor alongside its bloodletting. If you've ever wanted to see a more book-faithful Lee Dracula, unsanitized and strange, this is your carriage ride to the Carpathians.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Jonathan Harker, a lawyer on a mission from London, travels to Transylvania to arrange a property deal for the enigmatic Count Dracula. Despite warnings from superstitious locals and a growing sense of unease, Harker continues his journey, eventually arriving at the forbidding Castle Dracula. He is greeted by the mysterious, gaunt Count, who ushers him into an unsettling stay filled with strange occurrences. As Harker begins to notice ominous details about his host and his new surroundings, he becomes gripped by suspicion and fear. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of gothic Europe, this adaptation promises creeping dread and supernatural menace anchored by Christopher Lee’s chilling portrayal of the infamous vampire.

Details & Specs

Director
Jesús Franco
Writers
Bram Stoker, Erich Kröhnke, Augusto Finocchi, Jesús Franco
Release
1970
Runtime
1h 38m
Country
Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Spain
Language
German, English, Italian, Spanish
Genres
Drama, Horror
Also Known As
El conde Drácula, Count Dracula, Dracula '71, Il conte Dracula, Kyûketsu no deaborika, Drácula, O Príncipe das Trevas, Bram Stoker's Count Dracula, Dracula - Seine Küsse sind tödlich, Conde Drácula, Ο Κόμης Δράκουλας, Ο Κόμης Δράκουλας Ξαναχτυπά, Les Nuits de Dracula

Why This Matters

This international co-production brought together director Jesús Franco and Christopher Lee outside of the Hammer series, and was promoted as the most faithful adaptation of Stoker's novel at the time, notably being the first to depict Dracula's rejuvenation through blood.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: Jesús Franco Writers: Bram Stoker +3 more

Why Cult

Lee Does Stoker

Christopher Lee's portrayal is true to Bram Stoker’s vision, starting Dracula as an old man who literally grows younger with every victim.

Franco's Gothic Direction

Jess Franco injects gothic atmosphere and a cult sensibility into the Dracula myth, giving this film a moody, haunting quality.

Psychotronic Cast Choices

With Klaus Kinski as Renfield and Herbert Lom as Van Helsing, the cast is both eclectic and memorably offbeat.

Eurohorror Flavor

A co-production spanning Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Spain, this version is soaked in European horror tradition and style.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Harker's visit to Castle Dracula

Threat

Count Dracula's vampiric predation

Effect

Victims lose blood, are hypnotized, or become undead

Setting

Castle Dracula and England

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Count Dracula? +

Count Dracula was directed by Jesús Franco.

How long is Count Dracula? +

Count Dracula has a runtime of 98 minutes.

What genre is Count Dracula? +

Count Dracula is classified as both a drama and horror film.

Where can I watch Count Dracula? +

You can watch Count Dracula on SassyFlix.

How does Dracula grow younger in this adaptation? +

In this version, Count Dracula grows younger whenever he drinks the blood of young maidens, a detail highlighted in Franco's adaptation.

Trailers & Clips