Countess Dracula (1971)

In 17th century Hungary, an aging Countess (Ingrid Pitt) discovers that bathing in the blood of young virgins will restore her youth. She passes herself as her own daughter while she has her real daughter (Lesley Anne Down) locked up. Hammer films began sexing up their horror films in the early 1970s and this movie, along with THE VAMPIRE LOVERS, are representative of that change. Based on the legend of Elizabeth Bathory (an early serial killer), the movie could have used more visceral chills. Most of the killings are done off camera and there's never a real sense of horror. In fact, outside of some bare breasts, it's really quite tame. In the title role, Pitt is appropriately lusty but the acting honors belong to Nigel Green as her sometime lover. He has a sadistic streak and if anyone is to be feared, it's him. The ending is surprisingly abrupt and we're left hanging as to what happens to Down. Fans of the Hammer horrors should be pleased though. Directed by Peter Sasdy. With Sandor Eles, Patience Collier and Maurice Denham.