Despite a less than glowing review in Lucas Balbo's essential book Obsession: The Films of Jess Franco, I consider Le fille de Dracula one of the director's better efforts. Filmed in widescreen on location in Portugal, Dracula's Daughter looks great, and though Franco can't resist the temptation of zooming in and out on occasion, the overall effect is not nearly as claustrophobic or arty as Obsession suggests. Jose Climent's cinematography is downright handsome at times, and though the story is quite routine--young woman struggles to come to terms with the vampiric legacy she has inherited--a cast of familiar faces, including Daniel White, Britt Nichols, Alberto Dalbes, Howard Vernon, and of course Franco himself render the proceedings good fun. Redemption's PAL DVD is passable, utilizing a lightly-damaged print with a French-language soundtrack and optional English subtitles. a Region 1 disc would go a long way to restoring this film's reputation.
Review of Daughter of Dracula
