Dracula [DVD] [1958]

Far and away the best Dracula movie yet made, Hammer's 1958 take on Bram Stoker's novel is a classic piece of cinema that in my view ranks as the finest gothic horror film of all. If the famous company hadn't made any more Dracula movies after this one, these days it would be thought of as equalling David Lean's Great Expectations and Oliver Twist in the rankings of British cinema's great literary adaptations. Instead, it is simply regarded as the first film in a fondly-remembered, though essentially campy series of genre pics that took a dip in quality with every subsequent episode, ending with some real dreck in the early 1970s. But Terence Fisher's movie, only his second gothic horror, did justice to the story in a way that no other filmmaker has been able to repeat. It's scary, sexy, action-packed, laced with atmosphere, and shows no signs at all of the low budget it was made under. The photography is gorgeous, the sets even better, and the music just perfect. The ending, a violent piece of hand-to-hand combat between Count Dracula and his nemesis Dr. Van Helsing, was unlike anything else seen in British cinema up to that point, and the special effects still impress today. But what really makes the film work are the performances of Christopher Lee and (especially) Peter Cushing in the lead roles. Lee's star-making turn as Dracula ensured his status as one of the great cinematic villains, and has typecast him for the rest of his career. Cushing meanwhile, enjoys one of his two signature roles (the other of course being Baron Victor Frankenstein), and he provides us with by far the strongest and most impressive Van Helsing on film. His vampire hunter is a dangerous, Christian fanatic, and a celibate, lonely scientist who battles Dracula not for personal reward but because he knows he is the only man strong and wise enough to be able to do so and survive. This Van Helsing doesn't provide comfort and advice to violated women and their weak husbands; he simply gets on with the job of hunting down and destroying the vampire, and is utterly merciless in doing so.
Whilst this movie's classic status makes it a must-have for Hammer fanatics, and for fans of British cinema in general, it must be said that Warner Bros' DVD of the film does not exactly go nuts in the extras department. Indeed, this is an almost bare bones release, with the original trailer as the only extra feature worth a mention. Considering this movie's status as possibly the best and most influential horror film of the 1950s, it would have been nice if Warner Bros had considered setting up the recording of a commentary from the likes of Lee, Jimmy Sangster, and Anthony Hinds whilst, if you will pardon the remark, the gentlemen in question are still with us.

Often regarded as the highlight of Hammer horror's oeuvre, The Horror of Dracula stands up today as a fresh and inventive take on what is maybe the best story ever written. Hammer is a studio that has had many a fine hour, and although this is one indeed; I think that there are several other films from their ranks that just top it. Just, being the operative word as this is certainly up there with the best of them. As you might expect, the story follows that of Bram Stoker's original novel; with a young man travelling to Dracula's castle, and not returning. This attracts the attentions of Professor Abraham Van Helsing; an authority in the field of vampirism who then sets out to slay the malevolent fiend that is the source of all the foul play in the movie; Dracula himself.

Although this is based on the classic story, Hammer very much makes it their own. Of course, the campy horror styling that that the studio has become famous for features strongly in the movie and serves in giving it that classic Hammer feel. Furthermore, this movie features both of Hammer's greatest stars; Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Christopher Lee may be no Bela Lugosi, but if there was anyone other than Bela Lugosi that I would want to play Dracula; Christopher Lee is that man. He isn't actually in it that much, but the moments when he is are the best in the movie. He has an incredible amount of screen presence, and all of that is transferred into the character of Dracula. In a similar way, Peter Cushing plays Van Helsing. Like Lee, Cushing has buckets of screen presence, but it's all in a very different style. While Lee is a defined evil, Cushing is more subdued, which allows him to adequately play the hero as well as well as he plays the villain. I've got to be honest, I prefer Cushing in the bad guy role; but he still makes an excellent hero.

Terence Fisher, one of Hammer's premier directors, directs the film and does a great job with it. The atmosphere of the Gothic period setting is spot on, and a constantly foreboding, and intriguing atmosphere is created throughout. The way that the smoke drifts across the graveyard in the movie is among the most atmospheric things Hammer ever shot. Dracula is a great story, and this Hammer yarn more than does it justice.

This is the greatest Hammer film ever made. Starring the two mainstays of British Horror Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.

Terence Fisher (the best Hammer director) directs with style and James Bernard produced a score that would be used in variations by many Hammer films over the years. For any musicians out there the chord Bernard uses to signal Dracula's presence is an augmented chord...

Christopher Lee is magnificent as Count Dracula. Bela Lugosi may have starred in the role first but Lee is vastly superior in every respect: He has more screen presence (helped by being 6' 5"), is better looking and most crucially unlike Lugosi he can act.

As Van Helsing Peter Cushing is mesmerising. Whether he is carrying out a blood transfusion or dictating into an early phonograph recorder, the script is delivered with absolute conviction. I always end up believing vampires exist after watching this film!

The ending to this film is perhaps the single greatest moment in the entire history of Hammer films. While the special effects look dated now the realisation of the ending is just a great piece of film making.