Cast
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Robert Quarry
as Count Yorga
Mariette Hartley
as Cynthia Nelson
Roger Perry
as Dr. David Baldwin
Yvonne Wilder
as Jennifer Nelson
Tom Toner
as Rev. Thomas
Rudy De Luca
as Lieutenant Madden
George Macready
as Professor Rightstat
Walter Brooke
as Bill Nelson
Edward Walsh
as Brudah
Craig T. Nelson
as Sgt. O'Connor
Karen Ericson
as Ellen Nelson
Michael Pataki
as Joe
Allen Joseph
as Michael Farmer
Peg Shirley
as Claret Farmer
David Lampson
as Jason - Ellen's Boyfriend
Crew
Director
- Bob Kelljan
Producer
- Michael Macready
Reviews
Wuchak
**_The darkly suave Count from Bulgaria shows up near an orphanage in the Bay area_**
After somehow being resurrected, Count Yorga (Robert Quarry) moves north to purchase the old Gateway Mansion, which is located right by an orphanage and the attractive Cynthia (Mariette Hartley). Disturbing events lead a doctor (Roger Perry) to suspect the Count of being a… vampire. Craig T. Nelson makes his film debut as a subordinate detective.
“The Return of Count Yorga” (1971) is more of the same from writer/director Bob Kelljan. Some people prefer it to the original 1970 flick, like Gene Siskel, but I favor the first one. Regardless, this is a solid follow-up with some creative bits. It’s genuinely creepy and, like the original, has the confidence to take its time, creating spooky ambiance, which some viewers might interpret as dull.
The success of the low-budget Yorga films inspired Hammer to set their next two Dracula movies in the modern day: "Dracula A. D. 1972" (1972) and "The Satanic Rites of Dracula” (1973). It was also the inspiration for the haunting cult Indie "Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural" (1973). I have no doubt that Dan Curtis & Richard Matheson’s “The Night Stalker” (1972) and “The Night Strangler” (1973) were also inspired by them. They’re the same team who created the 1974 version of “Dracula” with Jack Palance.
Unlike Christopher Lee as the Prince of Darkness and Barry Atwater as vampire Janos Skorzeny, who are laconic and diabolical in a one-dimensional way, Quarry’s nonchalant Count Yorga is a more charismatic character, having way more dialogue than the other two. This is augmented by a revelation in the second half, which likely influenced Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992).
The flick runs 1 hour, 37 minutes. Parts of it were shot in the San Francisco area, e.g. the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, the latter of which is north of San Francisco and west of the bridge. The orphanage scenes were shot at Camarillo Ranch House in Camarillo, California, which is about 40 minutes west of Los Angeles and northwest of Malibu. The Count’s mansion is Casa Dorinda in Santa Barbara, which is about 50 minutes west of Camarillo and is now a retirement home.
GRADE: B-/B
Aug 17, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Return of Count Yorga presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Bob Kelljan brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1971, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Return of Count Yorga took approximately 20 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 97 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 119 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 5 months to complete.
- The film contains approximately 2384 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 1971, when this film was released:
- The Watergate scandal changed public perception of political institutions.
- Environmental awareness was growing as a social concern.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Return of Count Yorga shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Insidious: Chapter 3, which focuses more on action than character development, The Return of Count Yorga subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Dance of the Damned and Mark of the Devil Part II explore similar territory, The Return of Count Yorga stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 18, 1971
- Runtime: 1h 37m
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