Critique: Look, we didn't want to like it, didn't expect to like it, but there it is. This piece is absolutely brilliant. From the absurdly traditionalist parents to Dracula's own brand of traditionalism, this film depicts an absurdist class conflict played out against the backdrop of the count Dracula story.Who more than count Dracula would be the protector of the burgherly mor‚s and traditions of the old order? The vision of the vampire as a sickly Gustav von Aschenbach, palsied and pale, pushing himself around on a wheel chair is absolutely stunning. The fallen and decadent aristocratic women and Dracula were made for each other in this dance of decadence. The social commentary that is thick in this piece is so purposefully selfconscious that it doesn't become oppressive. In the tradition of Brecht's epic theater the characters simply state their ideological stances and because of the comedic backdrop this doesn't detract from the action. Nonetheless, this film works as a horror film and doesn't succumb to the foibles of so many camp pieces. This and the Frankenstein piece have to be seen as the finest in camp horror. The ending is an absolute riot.

Plot Summary: While Count Dracula primps, his assistant calls the shots. Dracula must move to Italy because he is too well known in Rumania and the Italians need virgins (essential for the digestion of this brand of Dracula) because of their church. On the all important question of attire for the trip it's decided his old fashioned clothes will be all right because he's Rumanian. His sister is laid in the crypt and must remain behind to die. With his personal effects piled on top of the car it's apparent that this count has come on hard times. In Italy, bitter about their family's fall from wealth, Sophilia and Rubina decide to offend mother by stripping to the waist while they work the garden, proclaiming themselves workers and peasants. The young gardener, Bellatto, shows up and is not impressed. The vampire arrives at the hotel (only irritated by sunlight) famished but understandably reluctant to order virgin meat. The claim is Dracula is looking for a virgin wife and the Di Fiorre family is suggested. Dracula is again merely irritated by the crucifix in his hotel room. Disconsolate about the oil that they put on the vegetables, Dracula trembles and shakes on the bed clutching his belly with hunger, but the assistant (Anton) says he must wait. Anton goes to the Di Fiorre house to approach the family with the offer of marriage. The marquis (a connoisseur of names) judges that 'Dracula' is acceptable, claiming that names ending in 'ula' have an exemplary history, and it is agreed that they meet. Anton runs into some luck by witnessing a girl freshly struck by a wagon. Thinking fast he had dunked bread into the gore, giving the blood soaked prize to Dracula. That night Sophilia and Rubinia take turns having sex with Bellato as the other watches. Bellatto suggests that the count is probably poor just as they are. He likes to talk about how things will be after the revolution. When Dracula arrives he asks about their being raised in accord with the writ of the church. Esmarelda the eldest, had a fiance once and is thus unsuitable for marriage. Thearla, the prudish youngest, is also excluded at fourteen. Sophilia plans to see how Dracula is in bed. The trembling, invalid Dracula can't wait to get at the girls. Sophilia brings Dracula some food and he asks her whether she's a virgin. She lies, saying she is one, and Dracula attacks. After a feast he suddenly turns green and vomits out fountains of blood. Mario (Bellatto) is not impressed with Dracula, saying that the noble classes are all sickly. Sophilia comes down the next day looking ill with a scarf on her neck, admitting that Dracula knows she is not pure. Dracula and Bellatto discuss the possibility of a change in the order of things, and then Dracula sprawls on the stairs in a fit as Bellatto watches. Soon Rubina's up, and once again things don't sit well. Anton reports that Dracula knows that neither of the marriageable daughters were virgins. He learns, however, that the fourteen year old Thearla is likely to be a virgin, and he seems hopeful. Bellato opens the coffin that's supposed to hold a dead relative of Dracula, and finds it empty. He's become suspicious. The other two sisters come to Thealia and probe her, finding she's a virgin and then bring her to the count. She escapes, however, and runs to Bellatto with the story. Bellatto realizes that he's a "religious pervert from the middle ages". It's decided that the only safety for her is for her to have sex with Bellatto. Dracula comes afterward to drink the blood of her broken hymen as Esmarelda watches. The climax comes between the axe-armed peasant Bellatto and the famished Dracula.