One of the more accomplished entries in Hammer's
Dracula series (which would soon lapse into creative anemia during the 1970s), this fourth installment finds
Christopher Lee in top form as the Count, who returns to menacing life after three middle-aged swingers decide to dabble in black magic to bolster their sagging sex lives. Dracula is reborn when the trio's blood-drinking rituals lead to the destruction of his devil-worshipping colleague Lord Courtley (
Ralph Bates), whereupon the Count unleashes his deadly wrath on those responsible, even involving members of their families in his scheme of revenge, which culminates in a dramatic finale in a recently reconstructed cathedral. Fine direction from Hammer regular
Peter Sasdy enlivens a middling script, and an early appearance from the lovely
Linda Hayden (later to star in the eerie
Blood on Satan's Claw) is a definite plus.
