Lust for Dracula

Rating:
Released: 2004 Seduction Cinema
Starring: Misty Mundae, Julian Wells, Darian Caine
Director: Anthony Marsiglia

This is probably one of the more divisive softcore films out there. It’s a combination of softcore film, Dracula reinvention, Shakespeare wannabe, and Giallo bloodbath. Sometimes all at the same time. Perhaps this movie makes complete and total sense in director Tony Marsiglia’s head, but to most people it’s a head scratcher. What’s unquestioned is that this is one of the hottest DVDs you can pick up this side of the hardcore aisle.

Just out of curiosity, I checked the few user comments on IMDB, and most people panned this movie. Fair enough. But I can tell from their comments which version they rented. If they saw the cut version, this movie confused them and they hated it. If they saw the uncut version, this movie confused them and they loved it, and didn’t really care one bit about the confusion. If you formed your impressions of this movie based on the R-rated version, then I am very sorry for you. ‘Cause all the action’s in the unrated Director’s Cut. And boy is there action.

Within the first few minutes you’re introduced to vampire Sarah (played by my favorite Seduction part-timer Andrea Davis) and her pierced nipples; Sarah swallows the crucifix of her blood-spattered paramour Beth (Casey Jones). Then suddenly Sarah’s finger is on Beth’s pierced clit and you know you’re in for a good time.

The movie is a loose adaptation of some Dracula themes. Darian Caine plays Dracula, and is naked in every scene she’s in. Frank Langella, eat your heart out. Julian Wells is Jonathan Harker, who is married to Mina, played by Misty Mundae. Harker is abusive to Mina, and keeps her popping pills. Then Dracula shows up and shows her a good time. Yes, Caine and Wells play male roles, and yet have female bodies. It’s a weird disconnect at first, but it’s actually kind of a cool gimmick.

Marsiglia also directed Sin Sisters for Seduction Cinema, a movie which is more coherent, but also deals in the same sort of dark abyss where relationships are all about control. Both movies are full of beautiful girls acting beastly to each other. The control that Harker inflicts on Mina is mirrored by the control that Sarah has over Beth. And lurking above them all is Dracula, who is actually a nice guy in this one. Girl? Guy? Not sure.

Before you know it, you see Julian Wells giving a rough doggie-style fuck to Misty, and Darian Caine is naked and perched on a window sill watching them. Okay…let the head scratching begin. But, I beseech you—do the head scratching with your left hand. Leave your right hand free for wanking. Like Sarah and Beth do, in another early scene, sitting next to each other with legs spread masturbating themselves furiously while ridding themselves of their horribly confining schoolgirl outfits. Again: not sure why—and don’t care! It looks gorgeous.

Thing is, it’s not that the movie is just explicit. In the midst of all the blood and violence of this Dracula tale, there are scenes that are super hot. When Caine goes down on Mundae by the pool, director Marsiglia focuses in on Mundae’s top half in a long orgasm scene that’s a tip of the cap to Seduction stablemate Joe Sarno.

The movie is aurally stunning as well. The music is great. In some of the sex scenes Marsiglia leaves in the natural sounds of lovemaking, which I know will appeal to lots of softcore fans out there. And yet, in one scene, just to fuck you up, he plays the sound of scratching nails on a chalkboard over top of the sex. And then there’s the scene where Sarah and Beth are lying in the grass in a cemetery, looking into each other’s eyes, and masturbating each other. It’s another long scene where Marsiglia focuses in on the moans and gasps of orgasm, but in the background there’s the incongruous sound of waves crashing against a beach. I think he’s making the impish suggestion that making love in a cemetery is as pleasurable an experience to a vampire as a trip to the beach is to humans, but who knows? It’s a remarkably satisfying scene.

The music is great. The editing is great. The acting is top-notch for softcore. It’s challenging. It’s visually stimulating. The nudity is extensive. Everyone but Misty has an explicit shot in it somewhere. Who needs a coherent plot? Did you hear that part about the nudity? I’m sold!