An imposing Count draws a beautiful young woman into his web; she's unaware this castle-dwelling Casanova is really a vampire who feeds on human blood. Based more on the Hamilton Deane-John L. Balderston play (specifically the 1970s Broadway revival starring Frank Langella) rather than Bram Stoker's novel or Tod Browning's 1931 film, this gorgeously-designed Gothic is imminently watchable if not overtly exciting. Langella smolders appropriately as Dracula, but he's perhaps too glossy and blown-dry (and this appears entirely intentional). Laurence Olivier's Van Helsing is also a disappointment (and the professor is treated unceremoniously by the finale), though Kate Nelligan is luminous (and yet fierce) as Lucy, with Donald Pleasence perfect as her father. The film's design and art direction (in bloodless grays and sudden fiery reds) are captured vividly by cinematographer Gilbert Taylor, and John Badham directs dryly, without too much camp. It isn't scary, though a mild chill runs through it, and the tastefulness is surprising coming from a horror film released in 1979. **1/2 from ****