If you are a fan of Hammer horror films and Shaw Brothers kung fu flicks, then you are in for a treat with The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires. This 1974 co-production between the British and Hong Kong studios is a mash-up of genres that delivers blood, guts, fangs and fists in equal measure.
The film opens in 1804, when a mysterious monk named Kah travels to Transylvania to seek the help of Count Dracula. Kah is the high priest of the Temple of the Seven Golden Vampires, a cult of undead bloodsuckers who terrorize a rural village in China. However, their power is fading and they need Dracula's assistance to restore their glory. Dracula agrees, but on one condition: he takes over Kah's body and travels to China himself.
A hundred years later, Professor Van Helsing (played by Peter Cushing), the renowned vampire hunter who has battled Dracula many times before, gives a lecture at a university in China about the legend of the Seven Golden Vampires. He is approached by Hsi Ching (played by David Chiang), one of seven siblings who claim to be descendants of warriors who fought against the vampires. Hsi Ching asks Van Helsing to join him and his brothers and sister on a quest to destroy the vampires once and for all.
Van Helsing agrees, along with his son Leyland (played by Robin Stewart) and Vanessa Buren (played by Julie Ege), a wealthy widow who offers to finance their expedition. Together, they embark on an adventure that will take them to the heart of darkness, where they will face hordes of zombies, bats and spiders controlled by Dracula-Kah and his golden-masked minions.
The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires is an entertaining blend of horror and action that showcases both studios' strengths. The Hammer side provides atmospheric sets, Gothic costumes and makeup effects that create a creepy mood for the vampire scenes. The Shaw Brothers side provides spectacular fight choreography, colorful costumes and exotic locations that create an exciting mood for the kung fu scenes.
The film also benefits from having Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, who brings his usual charisma and gravitas to his role as well as some impressive martial arts skills. David Chiang as Hsi Ching is also likable as his ally and friend who leads his family into battle with courage and honor. Julie Ege as Vanessa Buren adds some glamour and romance to the mix as well as some badass moments with her crossbow.
The film does have some flaws though. The plot is rather thin and predictable at times, relying on clichés such as villagers being sacrificed by vampires or heroes being captured by enemies. The dialogue is also cheesy and awkward at times especially when it comes to exposition or romance. The special effects are also dated by today's standards especially when it comes to flying bats or spiders.
However, these flaws do not detract from the overall enjoyment of watching this film which is meant to be fun rather than serious or realistic. The film has plenty of humor both intentional such as Van Helsing's witty remarks or unintentional such as Dracula-Kah's stiff acting or bad dubbing.
The film also has plenty of gore both realistic such as blood spurting from necks or wounds or unrealistic such as heads exploding or limbs flying off during fights.
The film also has plenty of action both horror such as vampires biting victims or zombies rising from graves or kung fu such as sword fights hand-to-hand combat or acrobatic stunts.
The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires is not a masterpiece but it is certainly an enjoyable ride for fans of both Hammer horror films and Shaw Brothers kung fu flicks who want to see what happens when these two worlds collide.
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