- Actors: Sandra Harrison, Louise Lewis, Gail Ganley, Jerry Blaine, Heather Ames
- Directors: Herbert L. Strock
- Writers: Aben Kandel
- Producers: Herman Cohen
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Warner
- VHS Release Date: 1 May 2000
- Run Time: 68 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CU53
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 773 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This is the first (it dates from 1957) of the many films which were to identify Christopher Lee with Bram Stoker's undead anti-hero and, in many ways, it remains the best. Tied reasonably closely to that of Stoker's novel, the plot sees the English academic Jonathan Harker (Van Eyssen) entering the employ of Dracula, secretly aware that the nobleman is a vampire and with every intention of destroying him. Sadly, it doesn't work out and Harker, in one of the film's several gentle structural conceits, becomes Dracula's servant in more senses than one, prompting one Doctor Van Helsing (Peter Cushing, of course) to investigate his disappearance. The rest, of course, is a slightly wobbly version of history. This is the only film of the series to retain its roots in theatrical melodrama--the clipped, "ack-torly" exchanges between Lee and Van Eyssen are a joy--but it remains gripping in spite, or because of that. Best of all, it allows Lee to present Dracula as a real character--a haunted, tragic figure, impatient with the mortal world and its trivia--before camp tomfoolery, likeable enough in its own way, came to dominate the series. --Roger Thomas
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Though I am considerably new to Horror films, and in particular, Hammer ones, I already have a great fondness for them. This one has got to be one of the best. Well acted in glorious gothic settings and Victorian-like streets, this film is a masterpiece and worth every penny. Christopher Lee is the definitive Dracula - a seemingly charming and gracious man who turns out to be the most frightening of villains, and Peter Cushing is marvellous as Van Helsing.
It may not be totally loyal to the book, but films do not translate easily from novels, and I think this version was translated extremely well. The film isn't as scary as it was once considered, but that is a small downward factor. If you want to watch a good version of Dracula, I think you'd be hard pressed to beat this.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The 1950s was the best time for Hammer films, producing some great successes notably The Quatermass Xperiment and The Curse of Frankenstein. This version of Bram Stoker's Dracula is wonderful for its time for a number of reasons. First, the pairing of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Second, the atmosphere the film generates, and finally the script which was beautifully written. The final scene of Dracula's destruction has never been surpassed. Incidentally, this video version has an extra scene which had been omitted from its original release in 1957. This was due to a reference made by Van Helsing to the use of drugs which was still taboo in those days of course. Overall, any Hammer film fan cannot afford not to buy this.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
There is no doubt about it; this is the best of all Hammer's Draculas. The actors, Fisher's directing, Robinson's sets, everything is great about this film. However, I do find it would have benefited from a longer running-time, an a few more talky scenes. (This IS Cushing, after all !.) -I realize that's probably an odd thing to say about a Hammer film, but its rollercoaster narrative does move a bit fast at times, I think. I mean, "Revenge Of Frankenstein", made around the same time, had a much more pleasant pace. Still, it's a classic and well worth a "5 star" rating.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The finest Hammer film ... ever
This is the greatest Hammer film ever made. Starring the two mainstays of British Horror Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2008 by S J Buck
in all its low budget glory.
this marks the first hammer horror film that i ever saw back in 1987. it was a late monday night on anglia t.v. those were the days. Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2006 by Mr. A. E. Ward Davies
Dracula and Van Helsing - psychopaths on different sides?
Iconic thriller builds on the preceding 'Curse of Frankenstein', making Hammer the undisputed successor to Universal and Lee and Cushing the new enfant terrible of the horror... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2003
Bloody good fun
I first saw this in about 1970, on BBC2, on an old black and white TV which was about 10 inches square and made everybody look like short fat cubes. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2003 by William Meikle
FANGTASTIC
The greatest Hammer Horror ever and the best performances Cushing/Lee portrayed on screen as Van Helsing and the legendary Dracula excellent effects 2 excellent actors a great... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2001
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC - the best of all Dracula films
This film is the absolute best of all the Dracula films and all of the hammer films ever to be made. The performance by Christopher Lee is amazing. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2001 by van_helsing00@yahoo.com
A classic! One of the best Dracula movies.
In comparison with the 1931 version starring Bela Lugosi this Hammer is not obsolete. It remains a very atmospheric horror movie, not with the high budget of Coppola's... Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2000 by filip.roose@pandora.be
BLOODY WELL DONE!
At last, a Dracula film that gives the Bram Stoker legend the treatment it deserves. The story opens with English librarian Jonathan Harker going to Castle Dracula to do business... Read more
Published on 12 May 2000
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
