The Worst Film Ever

That was an excellent one.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Excellent but underrated film

Son of Dracula (1974) * 1/2 (out of 4)Merlin the Magician (Ringo Starr) is going to make Count Downe (Harry Nilsson) the new leader of the Netherworld but he falls in love with a human (Suzanna Leigh) and isn't sure he wants the title. The one person who does want it is the Baron Frankenstein (Freddie Jones) and even Van Helsing (Dennis Price) has a say in the matter. SON OF Dracula was produced by Starr and it features some other well-known musicians but in the end this thing is pretty much a dud. You've got some talented musicians and some talented Euro actors and you've got a talented director in Freddie Francis but sadly none of the talents come together (yeah, a cheap Beatles reference) to add up to much. There's no question that a lot of the blame can go towards the screenplay, which doesn't seem to know what type of film it wants to be. I'm guessing they were going for some sort of rock 'n roll monster spoof but none of it works. The entire bit with the Netherworld crown is just boring and the love story between Downe, the son of Dracula, and Amber is just boring. Even worse is that the music itself is pretty boring, although Nilsson's "Without You" is on full display but how it's used is just so corny that if you're a diabetic you'll need to have some insulin ready. Another major problem is the direction by Francis who doesn't seem to know what to do with the picture. Just check out all the music scenes and you'll notice how poorly filmed they are and it just seems like someone told the camera man to just shoot anything because it didn't matter. The performances are also pretty bad with Nilsson coming across as a very boring Count. Those familiar with the career of Price knows he was towards the end when he filmed this and it's rather sad watching the great actor appearing so ill. Starr certainly doesn't give a "good" performance but it's just weird enough to where it adds some comic appeal. Love certainly comes across the best out of all the cast members. Music fans can look quickly for Peter Frampton, Leon Russell, John Bonham and Keith Moon. The one thing that keeps this from being a complete bomb is the fact that it's just so darn weird that it's hard to quit watching it or look away. One highlight is the early scenes with Dracula, which has him looking like the vampire from 1922's NOSFERATU. Still, SON OF Dracula is a complete wreck of a film that's mainly going to appeal to fans of the musicians who want to see anything they've ever been connected to.

It is campy, irreverent, and just a downright hoot. I have been searching for a copy of this movie for YEARS! I remember it clearly. It came to a local theatre and I called in sick to school and work to go see it. I loved it so much I went to see it as often as I could till it left town. I bought the album, (with two great talents like Harry and Ringo what's not to love?!) It had an iron on inside that was spread open bat wings and in Gothic lettering in the middle of the wings was "BITE IT". Oh man I got 2 t-shirts out of that one transfer and wore them till they fell apart!!!! I would buy this movie in a heartbeat if I could find it and watch it every weekend! If you like Monty Python, Hedwig, Rocky Horror, The Addams Family.... this is right up your alley. Did you like Popeye with Robin Williams? If not, this isn't going to be to your liking I am pretty sure. Same type of humor. Subtle and offbeat, if that is you then see this movie. I don't think you will regret it. I never have.

Imagine "Rocky Horror" with every drop of vitality, wit and cinematic talent sucked out by a toothless vampire, and you begin to approach the experience of watching "Son of Dracula." As a die-hard Nilsson fan (is there any other kind?), I can't even recommend this film to fellow completionists who simply *have* to see this movie. You really aren't missing much. Ringo, buried under a mass of grey hair, long beard and pointy wizard's hat, is unrecognizable - that is, until he opens his mouth and his completely inappropriate Liverpool accent slurps out. (How's this for a sample of dialogue poor Ringo must spout: "Mercury, my Mercury, you are subdued tonight... To what import might you tonight transcend?") Nilsson's line delivery is so limp and monotone I was convinced someone else had dubbed his voice from a bad Japanese horror flick. He displays none of the energy and humor which so defines his music, even when lip-synching to his own songs. There is zero camp value here; I can't believe anyone could classify this as a comedy. The storyline is utterly pointless ("biological" son of Dracula must decide whether to become lord of the Netherworld, or undergo a procedure to become human so he can feel love for groovy chick), with werewolves, mummies and Frankenstein's monster thrown in for no discernible reason. I give it 2 stars, one for the fact that the picture is visible, and one for the fact that the dialogue is audible. I hate to advise obsessive collectors like myself to stay away, but if you never manage to hook up with a copy of this off the internet, trust me, you are missing very little.

Fun at its finest. Good rock and roll cast with a plot following (losely) an all-time favorite. The Count has never looked so good and sexy (at least to 1974). If you are a Harry Nilsson fan, this is a must see. His music and charm, along with a little bit of Ringo Starr and a peppering of other famous British band personalities and one pretty girl, makes for an adventuresome and cult-following, cutesey film. Expect the usual "Count"-type vampire story with a twist of mythology. It's not perfect but that Nilsson music (whether you're a fan or not) makes these differences most pleasant. Can't wait until it's out on video!