There was no shortage of vampire movies in the early 1970s, so it's understandable how this gem became a bit lost in the shuffle. In this sadly underrated version, Jack Palance's interpretation of the Count is both powerful and frightening under the skilled direction of Dan Curtis. A great script from legendary horror / sci-fi veteran Richard Matheson adds much to the value as well. The film has solid production values and a standout performance from Nigel Davenport as Van Helsing.