The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires (1974) ***1/2
For 1974's The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires, legendary production company Hammer (best known for its Gothic horror output) joined forces with the legendary Shaw Brothers studio (best know for its kung fu output) to release an action-packed horror/martial arts mashup. It was the ninth and final film in Hammer's Dracula series, and the only one in that series where an actor other than Christopher Lee played the Count (apparently he declined the role after reading the script)—here played by John Forbes-Robertson.
Peter Cushing stars as Van Helsing (his fifth and final appearance in the role for Hammer), who, along with his dandy son Leyland (played by Robin Stewart) and a wealthy widow (Julie Ege)—an emancipated, sexually empowered woman (though she's useless in battle)—embark on a journey lead by one of his students (David Chiang) and his many brothers and sister (all masters of one weapon or another) to kick some serious vampire/zombie butt.
The f/x are cheap and dated with set pieces reminiscent of the primary colors used in Mario Bava films (only not as well executed) but there is still a lot of fun to be had—well choreographed fight scenes, golden bat medallions (major vamp bling), multiple romances that blossoms across race, and the novelty of the whole affair.
Peter Cushing stars as Van Helsing (his fifth and final appearance in the role for Hammer), who, along with his dandy son Leyland (played by Robin Stewart) and a wealthy widow (Julie Ege)—an emancipated, sexually empowered woman (though she's useless in battle)—embark on a journey lead by one of his students (David Chiang) and his many brothers and sister (all masters of one weapon or another) to kick some serious vampire/zombie butt.
The f/x are cheap and dated with set pieces reminiscent of the primary colors used in Mario Bava films (only not as well executed) but there is still a lot of fun to be had—well choreographed fight scenes, golden bat medallions (major vamp bling), multiple romances that blossoms across race, and the novelty of the whole affair.
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