Blood for Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Blood for Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman August 14, 2022

Paul Morrissey evidently doesn't suffer fools gladly, and judging by this release's bonus features among those fools not being suffered gladly, at least by Morrissey's account, is one Andy Warhol, whom Morrissey explicitly accuses of not having a brain in a funny if arguably just a bit self serving interview included as a supplement on this release. That may then beg the question that has been asked for some time by quite a few (not just Morrissey) as to why a film directed by Morrissey should be labeled with "Andy Warhol's", but the vagaries of show business are weird and often inexplicable, to say the least, and the marketing value of the Warhol name probably can't be denied. In that regard, Blood for Dracula enjoyed an initial exhibition under the title Andy Warhol's Dracula, and Severin may therefore be attempting to at least ameliorate the situation by labeling this release more in line with the actual on screen credits, with their cover proclaiming "Andy Warhol Presents Blood for Dracula, a film by Paul Morrissey", though even that may be stretching the truth a bit as Morrissey gets into in the interview, where he offers a fun anecdote about being introduced to Carlo Ponti, who wanted Morrissey to make something for him, and who ended up having Morrissey make two things for him, the film currently under review and its immediate predecessor, Flesh for Frankenstein. Flesh for Frankenstein is a film which exactly like this one was initially released with a slightly redacted title and with a possessive intro as Andy Warhol's Frankenstein.

The title Blood for Dracula may seem like a "well, duh!" idea, but in this case Morrissey's screenplay is kind of darkly humorous in that Dracula (Udo Kier) needs the blood of virgins to maintain his vitality, and in the 1920s when this film is set, finding a chaste female is evidently becoming more and more of a challenge to Anton (Arno Juerging), Dracula's servant and the one supposedly responsible for wrangling unsuspecting blood donors to the Dracula castle. And in fact Anton has become convinced the only way forward for Dracula and his sister (Eleonora Zani) is to get them both to new "hunting grounds" where their Transylvanian reputations won't be an issue and where yet to be deflowered young women are in abundance. Enter Italy, since Anton is convinced the Italians will flip for having a Count in their presence and the dominance of the Catholic Church should mean a veritable glut of virgins.

Suffice it to say things don't exactly go as planned, and while Morrissey certainly exploits the same kind of titillating aspect he brought to Flesh for Frankenstein, there's a rather darkly humorous subtext here as the hapless Dracula tries on more than one occasion to feast off the blood of a virgin, only to discover a woman's claims of having never had sex may not exactly be true. The women in question are the daughters of Il Marchese di Fiore (Vittoria de Sica, kind of incredibly), and there's more intrigue that ensues when a handyman for the family named Mario (Joe Dellesandro) takes matters into own hands (and/or other parts) when he thinks a girl who is a virgin might become a victim of Dracula.

Frankly, several comments Brian Orndorf makes in his Flesh for Frankenstein 4K + 3D Blu-ray review could be ported over to an analysis of this film, including an ambience that could quite easily be called "Hammer soft core", a hyperbolic performance from Udo Kier, and a rather gorgeous score from Claudio Rizzi. The film is alternately silly and weird, but it's also often oddly engrossing on its own demented terms.

Blood for Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc.

Blood for Dracula is presented in 4K UHD and on 1080 Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films with 1080p and 2160p transfers in 1.85:1. As of the writing of this review, it doesn't look like Severin is offering a standalone 1080 release, and so this will be the rare review that combines thoughts on both presentations in one place. The bottom line is, while there may be some passing qualms about the 1080 version in particular, generally speaking both of these have plus sides, and Severin continues to impress with its 4K UHD version in particular. The only "technical information" offered by Severin is a brief "scanned uncut in 4K from the original negative for the first time ever", but that at least confirms that the optimal element was utilized, and it shows. Detail levels are consistently excellent in close-ups, perhaps arguably a bit less so in some dark sequences as well as some wide shots. There are some rough moments in the 1080 version in particular, notably an early scene in a village watering hole, and the later climax sequence, where grain is considerably grittier looking and detail levels falter, along with a bit of crush, all of which is at least marginally improved in the 4K UHD version. Grain can look a little mottled in the 1080 version, and seemed more tightly resolved in the 4K UHD version. There's noticeably improved clarity in the 4K UHD version right out of the gate, but to my eyes the biggest difference is in the color gradings between the two presentations. Both versions have a somewhat flushed, pinkish quality that's especially noticeable in some of the flesh tones, but I found the palette to be considerably warmer and more vivid looking throughout the 4K UHD version. Saturation is increased and HDR adds a range of highlights that helps to make the 4K UHD version in general look more colorful.

Blood for Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Both the 1080 and 2160 discs have DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono tracks. The sound design here isn't overly ambitious, but one undeniable asset is a rather evocative and at times beautifully languorous score from Claudio Gizzi, which sounds nicely full bodied and warm. The typical "loose synch" bugaboo is noticeable, but in terms of actual delivery of dialogue, while lip movements may not always match, everything is discernable. Optional English subtitles are available.

Blood for Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K UHD Disc

• Trailer 1 (HD; 3:23)


• Trailer 2 (HD; 1:55)

1080 Disc

• Trans Human Flesh and Blood (HD; 35:35) is a highly enjoyable interview with the inimitable Paul Morrissey, who pulls few if any punches about any number of subjects.


• Rubinia's Homecoming (HD; 17:59) is an interview with Stefania Casini, who returns to the film's location and looks around. Subtitled in English.


• Conversation with a Vampire (HD; 18:50) features an audio interview with Milena Vukotic which plays to a variety of stills and film clips. Subtitled in English.


• Bloodthirsty (HD; 14:38) is an interview with assistant director Paulo Pietrangeli. Subtitled in English.


• Black Cherry (HD; 26:56) is an interview with art director Gianni Giovagnoni. Subtitled in English.


• The Blood of These Whores. . . (HD; 20:02) is an interesting analysis of the film by Stephen Thrower.


• Sad, Romantic Dracula (HD; 19:43) is an interview with composer Claudio Gizzi. Subtitled in English.


• The Roman Connection (HD; 23:26) is an interview with producer Andrew Braunsberg, conducted via Zoom during the Pandemic.


• Trailer 1 (HD; 3:23)


• Trailer 2 (HD; 1:55)


• A Soundtrack CD is included.

Additionally, this is very handsomely packaged in a trifold Digipack that holds the 4K UHD and 1080 discs along with the CD. That is in turn housed in a nice slipcase.

Blood for Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

With Vinegar Syndrome's release of Flesh for Frankenstein and Severin's release of this film, a rather provocative revisionist approach by Paul Morrissey to two of the more iconic movie monsters of all time is complete. Perhaps much like Andy Warhol himself and/or his art, these films are not going to be enjoyed by everyone, but Severin is offering a beautifully packaged release with superb supplements and technical merits that in the 4K UHD version in particular are solid. Recommended.