Vampira

Old Dracula is a rollicking light comedy that takes Dracula and vampirism motifs to task in the typically British style of the day. Unfortunately, the film adheres too narrow-mindedly to the conservative view of the loose morals of the early 1970s and also needlessly adores David Niven, for whom most of the space in front of the camera is reserved. As can be seen in many scenes, however, the theme of the old-world Dracula clashing with the modern age had great potential. That would have been especially true if the film’s creators had given even more space to the character of Vampira, who literally rejuvenates after a transfusion and wants to plunge into the whirlwind of nightlife and enjoy modern times. For more sensitive viewers, her transformation into a black woman will be a provocation or a manifestation of racism. But thanks to the tremendous charisma of the excellent Teresa Graves, she gives the film the vitality and flair of the early 1970s. Old Dracula comes across as an endearing blend of the cardboard gothic of classic horror movies from the Hammer studio, starchy British humour and the ethos of the swinging London of the previous decade, laced with a tribute to the blaxploitation films of the time. In a certain respect, however, it also give the impression of being a strange relic that, with its old-world charm and colourfully lavish style, has the most in common with the identically conceived comedic paraphrases of 1960s genre films (from the Dr. Goldfoot series to Danger: Diabolik). (08.11.2021)

Old Dracula is not a film that can excite horror comedy lovers. Even Dracula doesn't have any parts in which he’s really funny or even really parodying himself. We get a free and sexy 70s vibe in places, but that's about it. There’s not a single joke that you will remember once you finish watching the film. This is a missed opportunity. (24.10.2017)