If you've seen Dracula AD 1972, then there's nothing terribly novel about this follow-up in seeing Christopher Lee's Count moving about contemporary London. Part of the charm of the Hammer franchise IS the formula, which is virtually abandoned for this often dull story of corporate machinations and devil worship. Visually, it's pretty drab, apart from some fun 1970s fashion, if you're into that sort of thing. Peter Cushing is dependable as always as the warm yet formidable Van Helsing (or his descendant anyway), and Joanna Lumley is certainly pretty as his granddaughter and assistant but despite an introduction that promises some kind of competency on her part she is never allowed to be anything but a hysterical, run-of-the-mill damsel in distress. The rest of the cast is unremarkable. As is the entire film.
Review of The Satanic Rites of Dracula
