Zoltan: Hound of Dracula is not a terribly good movie. It is, in fact, absolutely terrible. Nothing in it works as planned. And the dog at the center of it, a glassy-eyed Doberman Pinscher, is anything but threatening as he is unearthed from his final resting place by a dim-witted Russian army and then accidentally resurrects Dracula’s half-vampire, half-human servant, Veidt Smit (Reggie Nalder) is anything but terrifying.
Oh well. At least collectors of really bad D-grade films like this one have Kino Cult to thank for releasing Dracula’s dog back into the wild for public consumption.
Directed by Albert Band (Charles Band’s father) and featuring early effects by the one and only Stan Winston, Zoltan: Hound of Dracula gets most of its atmospheric work completed in the first five minutes of the movie as a tomb full of ancient coffins gets unsettling disturbed by the approaching movement of some Russian troops and one soldier is left to guard them all.
Of course he’s going to die. It’s the way of all things horror, you know? But it leads to the involvement of José Ferrer as Inspector Branco, an international vampire hunter, as he knows EXACTLY what the army has done and is none to pleased as the mostly dead servent goes about securing safe passage for himself and the dog to Los Angeles where a descendent of Dracula, Michael (Michael Pataki), the last of the line, resides.
This horribly-paced feature gets its chuckles in early as this fun-loving family man (Pataki) decides to go on vacation with his wife, Marla (Jan Shutan), their kids Linda (Libbie Chase) and Steve (John Levine), and their brand new puppies. It doesn’t take him too long to figure out just why hauling all that baggage around in a gas-guzzling oversized winnebago is a really bad idea. 
Turns out, no one is safe - not even the little doggies - as Zoltar’s ragged tooth bloodlust runs deep.
I’m not sure who this low budget movie is for. It just kinda kicks about never really finding solid footing as the chilling howls of vampire puppies fill the night air. It’s neither funny or haunting. And the cast just seem to be sleepwalking their way through the city of the undead.
Maybe you’ve heard of the movie before? I certainly had but was totally let down by what it offered and, trust me, I’m not a snob of horror flicks. If it bleeds, it’s my need. This drive-in dive however is just not worth the trip.
Zoltan: Hound of Dracula is back on blu-ray thanks to an upgraded 4K treatment from Kino Cult, who continue their catalog with this low budget catastrophe.
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Edition
Home Video Distributor: Kino Lorber
Available on Blu-ray - September 10, 2024
Screen Formats: 1.66:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: 2.0 mono
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray lokced to Region A
There’s More to the Legend Than Meets the Throat! When the Russian army unearths the vault of Dracula, they accidentally unleash his undead human slave (Reggie Nalder, Mark of the Devil) and the Count’s vampire hellhound Zoltan. But these friends need a new master and head for Los Angeles to find Dracula’s last living descendant, family man Michael Drake (Michael Pataki, Grave of the Vampire). With the help of an international vampire hunter, Inspector Branco (José Ferrer, The Sentinel), can Drake destroy Zoltan and his pack of blood-crazed devil-dogs—before “man’s best friend” fetches the final soul of the damned? Also known as Dracula’s Dog, this ferociously fun horror film was directed by Albert Band (I Bury the Living, Ghoulies II) and features makeup effects by the legendary Stan Winston (Parasite, Aliens).
VIDEO
The included 1.66.1 widescreen HD image certainly looks better than it ever did on DVD. Colors are crisp and the film’s detail is loaded with meat AND gristle. It’s amazing how sharper focus and a more detailed image can really bring an older movie to life. This might not have been the biggest budgeted movie at the time but you wouldn’t be able to guess its limitations from the crispness of the transfer.
AUDIO
The soundtrack is presented in its natural mono 2.0 mix that doesn’t quite add the stuff of new releases. Dialogue is relatively clear and free of distortion. It’s an okay sounding track.
Supplements:
Commentary:
-
Film Historians Lee Gambin and John Harrison offer a pretty good commentary for this release. Outside of being a curiosity item, this commentary is probably the reason to own the movie.
Special Features:
Other than the commentary, there is little hope for salvaging this movie found here on the supplemental items.
- PREVIOUSLY RESTORED IN 4K (SDR) ON BEHALF OF STUDIOCANAL
- Dracula's Dog - Radio Spot
- Theatrical Trailer
- Optional English Subtitles
| Movie |  |
|
| Video |  |
|
| Audio | |
|
| Extras |  |
|
|
Composite Blu-ray Grade
|
||
MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 87 mins
Director: Albert band
Writer: Frank Ray Perilli
Cast: José Ferrer; Michael Pataki; Jan Shutan
Genre: Horror
Tagline: There’s More to the Legend Than Meets the Throat!
Memorable Movie Quote: "The dog's dead. it's over."
Theatrical Distributor: Crown International Pictures
Official Site: https://kinolorber.com/film/zoltan-hound-of-dracula-special-edition-aka-draculas-dog
Release Date: March 29, 1978
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: September 10, 2024.
Synopsis: Communist soldiers accidentally unleash Dracula's servant and dog, Zoltan, during Romanian excavations. They set out to find the last living descendant, unaware of danger.
