Realistic, and brilliant performance by Jack Palance.
What you have here is, in short, a fantastic horror film. While I am not particularly interested in vampire films, I have seen most the pre 90's movies on the subject, and somehow this 1973 movie still pulls some emotion from me. Directed by Dan Curtis (the genius behind the "Dark Shadows" British TV series), and portrayed by Jack Palance, the movie deals with the most intense --and accurate- story of the evil vampire that Bram Stoker wrote about (and best of all, the film doesn't go that far from Stoker's book from 1897).
Basically, this is a British film, with the classic feeling of the horror movies from that cultural background, with a witty script (be prepared to be surprised with some of the dialogues in certain scenes), and excellent photography and incidental music. If you watch the movie you'll easily notice how classy and how much care was put in its production.
Whether you're a horror/vampire fan or not, you can be sure you won't feel the same after watching this film. This is not your typical ridiculous horror movie for a Friday night, but actually a pretty serious film, which is not at all like the overproduced Coppola film from 1992. And if there was ever a Dracula in real life, you'll end up thinking he would have been a lot --if not very much- like the character that Mr. Palance brilliantly performs on this one.
Watch it. You won't regret it.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned