Evil of Dracula

Swell filming locations and set design are rounded out with fine detail of decorative elements, giving some great imagery to serve as the setting. Even in building a sense of mystery, the writing is rather direct, and at times a bit over the top, and in this instance composer Riichiro Manabe's score echoes that slant. Still, 'Evil of Dracula' also carries a minor sense of atmosphere that's gratifying, and growing suspense. Though broadly declining genuine fright or thrills, this is pretty entertaining throughout.

The cast do well to embody their roles, embracing every shift in demeanor and doing a fine job of bringing their characters to life. That said, I'm not sure that the screenplay provides a lot of room to explore parts freely; suitable as they are, performances feel relatively straightforward and scripted. Of anyone on hand, Shin Kishida is most notable in his part as the principal - here leaning much further into an exaggerated, overt portrayal of a very particular creature of the night, alternately echoing classic interpretations, and straight-up chewing scenery.

Somewhat unremarkable overall, there's nonetheless some fun cleverness to the narrative that differs from other vampire flicks. Though maintaining the air of the slightly overdone approach, the climax is especially well done, producing the most substantial excitement of the film. It seems quite certain that this is where the most energy and resources were devoted as great care is given to the choreography, stunts, and special effects.

Smart as some plot points are, 'Evil of Dracula' doesn't wholly stand out among the wealth of other vampire movies in the world. Of the trio of features Toho produced in the early 70s, this strikes me as being in the middle of the pack: more carefully considered than the often middling 'Vampire doll,' but also definitely less sharp and stimulating than the superb 'Lake of Dracula.' That said, this is most assuredly far from a bad movie - just not the utter cream of the crop, either.

There's little about this picture that impresses outright, and for whatever it does well, the level of enjoyment to be had doesn't mark this as a film to proverbially write home about. But it's consistent and crafted well, with a measure of greater intelligence around the edges. 'Evil of Dracula' isn't absolutely essential, but it's capably entertaining, and worth watching should you come across it.

I recently watched The Evil of Dracula (1974) on Tubi. The film centers on a school led by a principal who is revealed to be a vampire, with his wife residing in a coffin at home alongside three vampire mistresses. When a suspicious teacher begins investigating the principal's home, he risks disappearing forever.

Directed by Michio Yamamoto (known for The Vampire Doll & Lake of Dracula), the film stars Kunie Tanaka (Sanjuro), Katsuhiko Sasaki (Terror of Mechagodzilla), Midori Takei (Brain 17), and Shin Kishida (Shogun Assassin).

While The Evil of Dracula maintains a high standard, it doesn't quite reach the level of its predecessors in the trilogy. The film excels in its elite attire, settings, and background music, while the blood-drinking scenes are effectively executed. However, the mind control elements lack the intensity seen in previous installments, and I found myself missing the distinctive "crazy eyes" of the vampires from Lake of Dracula. Despite this, the dialogue and storyline remain engaging, with standout sequences depicting stabbings, corpses, and the aftermath of vampire destruction.

In conclusion, while The Evil of Dracula may not surpass The Vampire Doll or Lake of Dracula, it still offers enough compelling elements to warrant a viewing. I'd give it a 6.5-7/10 and recommend watching it at least once.

The 1974 Japanese horror film "Chi o suu bara," or "The Evil of Dracula" in the West, is an intriguing entry into the vampire genre. With a unique blend of influences and a distinct style, this film is an oddball yet entertaining addition to the vampire canon.

"Chi o suu bara" is the final installment of Toho's 'Bloodthirsty Trilogy,' directed by Michio Yamamoto, and it certainly has a flavor all its own. The film draws heavily on the Hammer Horror vibe, with a touch of Italian flair and even a hint of Godzilla-esque monster movie thrown in for good measure. This eclectic mix of influences gives the film a unique tone and style that sets it apart from its contemporaries.

The story follows the classic battle between good and evil, with Shiraki and Kumi facing off against Dracula and his undead minions. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the film has a certain charm and offers some fun, gruesome special effects. The ending, in particular, is abrupt yet satisfying, delivering on the vampire action that audiences crave.

One of the most memorable aspects of the film is its aesthetic. With a mix of wide-screen presentation and Eastern trimmings, the film has a retro 70s cheese factor that is hard to resist. The lead villain, Dracula, sports an unusual Ralph Bates-inspired bouffant hairstyle, adding a touch of humor to the horror.

The cast, including Toshio Kurosawa, Kunie Tanaka, and Katshuhiko Sasaki, deliver solid performances, though it is the unique blend of genres and the film's overall strangeness that truly shine. This film will appeal to those who enjoy weird and wonderful genre pieces that embrace their oddities.

While it may not be the scariest entry into the horror genre, "Chi o suu bara" is an enjoyable watch and a refreshing take on vampire lore. It embraces its B-movie status with gusto and provides a unique cultural twist on a familiar tale.

For fans of vampires and retro horror, this film is worth a watch, if only to experience a different take on a familiar legend. While it may not be a masterpiece, "Chi o suu bara" is an entertaining and memorable addition to the world of Dracula.

So after subscribing to Arrow Video service on Prime (initially started to watch the move Spanish movie REC) I was looking through their Asian movie catalogue. This is where I was introduced to Michio Yamamoto. The concept is great and the acting and pacing is good too. It reminded me of Hammer horror films. There is a lot conveyed in the short runtime of the movie.

While I did enjoy the film, there was a lot of back and forth in the scenes which I personally thought wasn't necessary. I think I would've enjoyed more focus on the back story of the occult, rather than a quick glance over it.

But this has started my exploration into the Yamamoto universe.

Third of the trilogy of Hammer inspired Japanese 70s movies. Not quite as good as the first, this is an improvement on Lake of Dracula, with much better photography helping this become a very good looking film and adding interest to some of those middle sequences. Starts very well indeed and the finale certainly has some vigour, even if you are urging someone to construct a crucifix to bring things to a more urgent ending. Actually, total absence of use of the crucifix to save the day is presumably something to do with the Japanese not wanting to elevate the importance of such alien paraphernalia, but thats just a guess. So, bit more action here, bit more colour and a bit more sexed up too with small amount of nudity here and there.