Customer Reviews

Dracula Has Risen From The Grave [DVD] [1968]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For the US release of Hammer's fourth Dracula film (only the third to actually feature Christopher Lee, the Count sitting out Brides of Dracula), Warner Bros. used a one-sheet of a woman's neck with a sticking plaster on it, following the title Dracula Has Risen From the Grave with the single word 'Obviously.' The film itself, however, is anything but tongue-in-cheek, and played deadly straight with a conviction the series gradually lost over the years. It's probably the best-looking of all the Hammer Dracula sequels, and also the first where Christopher Lee actually speaks. As usual he's almost a background figure for much of the film, with the bulk of the film carried by Barry Andrews' atheist student romancing Veronica Carlson's niece of Rupert Davies' Monsignor, who inadvertently starts the blood flowing again when his attempt to exorcise Dracula's castle only results in the Count being revived from his icy grave by blood from a convenient cut. Finding himself cast out of his home and aided by Ewan Hooper's terrified priest (Renfield presumably being otherwise engaged), Dracula determines to take his revenge on Davies and his kin, stopping off en route for a light snack with Barbara Ewing's busty redheaded barmaid.

With a prologue that takes place before Dracula, Prince of Darkness and the main body of the film taking place a year later, it takes some liberties with the vampire mythology: the revived Dracula's first appearance is as a reflection, he has no problem removing crosses from willing girls' necks while a stake alone is no longer enough to kill him: you have to pray as well, which is a bit of a problem when your hero doesn't believe in God. Yet they're not as jarring as they might be, the latter resulting in one particularly memorably gory sequence. The change in director from Terence Fisher, sadly in decline at that time and unavailable due to a car crash, to Freddie Francis gives the film less of a production-line feel than most of the studio's Dracula series and, despite an awkward filter in some scenes and a distinctly jaundiced look for the Count, the film has a much more expansive look and feel almost unique in the series, with a striking and well-employed rooftop set courtesy of undervalued production designer Bernard Robinson and some relatively unfamiliar Pinewood standing sets rather than the overused backlot at Bray. He gets good performances too, with a particularly nice turn from Michael Ripper as an amiable innkeeper (as opposed to his usual miserable and terrified innkeepers).

Unfortunately while the PAL DVD boasts excellent colour and definition, some shots look oddly distorted, as if stretched, and the sound wanders in and out of synch far too often for comfort. On the plus side it does restore the censor cuts of about half a dozen gallons of blood spurting from Dracula's chest after he gets staked and includes the original trailer.

"Dracula Has Risen From The Grave", has to be one of the best Dracula movies of all time. The film has a rich gothic feeling to it, and Christopher Lee makes the most of his role. He doesn't have much to say, but his presence as the bloodthirsty count are among the finest on the silver screen. Tall, dark and menacing. You don't have to rely on expensive special effects when you have an actor like Chris Lee around. A rock solid production.

This movie is an entertaining romp, with a better script than usual plus quite a bit of suspense generated from smart direction by Freddie F. Mr Lee gets a very small amount of dialog but seems strangely a bit uneasy with it, perhaps he's distracted by the lovely Veronica Carlson. But it's actually the Saloon Barmaid role, Barbara Ewing? (if not try Marion Mathie), who steals both the actress and Hammer glamour roles. The suporting cast is good. Don't know why the box cover puts Rupert Davies name alongside Lee's, never heard of him. Certainly Miss Carlson's name for one would sell more copies. Well photographed. Grab ya pint, popcorn and watch it instead of James Bond.

Not having seen this for a long time, to watch it again now in widescreen on a big TV was a real treat. Its certainly as good as Dracula Prince of Darkness, though not as good as the original, which for me is the best Hammer film as made.

The main reasons for its success are Freddie Francis direction, James Bernard for another classic score, and the films use of Christopher Lee. Unlike in the later sequels, in this film Lee has plenty to do and makes many appearances throughout the film. Interesting watching it for the first time on DVD it does look to me as though Christopher Lee was wearing a wig. Not that surprising since he was 46 years old when this was made.

The film has a genuinely gothic feel to it, and although not in the least bit scary by todays standards, there are nevertheless one or two creepy moments. Of the rest of the cast Rupert Davies as the Monsignor is perhaps the best, in fact I would of like to have seen more of his character in the film.

The only extra on the DVD is the original trailer. There are no commentaries or outtakes which is a pity.

Its a shame that Peter Cushing didn't appear in the first two sequels. His presence would have improved the film. Nevertheless this is probably equal 2nd best with Dracula Prince of Darkness and gets 3.5 stars from me.

This is probably the last truly great Hammer Dracula offering. The film is quite satisfying from beginning to end, some hammy acting nothwithstanding.The acting is quite good, as good as can be expected in a horror hokum, and the casting is excellent. Rupert Davis, as the feisty Monsignor, is as effective as Andrew Keir in 'Dracula Prince of darkness', Ewan Hooper is excellent as a weak priest who falls under Dracula's dominion, and Veronica Carlson is well cast as the heroine and 'damsel' in distress. Michael Ripper ( as the innkeeper), and Barry Andrews (as the 'dashing hero') fall into hammier territory, but are still likeable. Lee is predictably good as Dracula, if a tad hammy too. The plot centres around Dracula's desire to gain revenge on the Monsignor, who has sealed the entrance to Dracula's castle with a huge cross, to allay the fears of the neighbouring villagers. After ol red eyes gets his fangs into the Monsignor's niece ( Carlson), Paul (Andrews) is determined to exact his own revenge on the Count. You can guess who comes off the worst...
The film is atmospheric and evocative and a prime example of Hammer at it's best.

This is the third in the hammer dracula series, and although not quite as atmospheric as the first dracula is still a pretty decent effort. Although Christopher Lee doesn't have much script, his presence still makes the film very watchable. Picture quality is good. Well worth a purchase.

This third installment starring Christoper Lee is easily on a par with the first Dracula film.
For me Prince of Darkness was underwhelming, but Dracula Has Risen from the Grave corrects this.

Lee as the vampire is superb, he doesn't say much but it's what he does say that is chilling. He has a total hatred for everything.

What really makes this film is the fine acting mixed with different characters. The two priests, one very likeable and one going to the dark side. The boyfriend and his honesty. What a great tension filled scene when he tells the priest at dinner that he is an atheist. Talking about tension, the moment that Dracula bites into the hot blonde is filled with it. He failed once, will he fail again?

This is a wonderful film, a classic slice of British horror from a forgotten era. One of the best Dracula films Hammer ever done.

I rather like 'Dracula has risen from the grave'. Admittedly it is not as good as Hammer's original 1958 Dracula movie, but it is still, in my opinion, one of the studio's better Dracula sequels. The director, Freddie Francis, began his career as a cinematographer, and so it was probably his decision to make the interesting use of colour filters, which helps to enhance the film's atmosphere. The production designer on this film is Hammer regular Bernard Robinson, and his work here includes some very impressive sets, such as the exterior of Dracula's castle and the village church.

The cast includes several members of Hammer's unofficial repertory company. Christopher Lee has relatively little screen time in his eponymous role as the vampire count, but he is still very effective when he does appear. Veronica Carlson does her best with the part of Maria, an underwritten role in my view, but Veronica makes the character sympathetic and believable. Best of all there is Michael Ripper, who is excellent as Max, the genial innkeeper. The script, written by Anthony Hinds using the pen name of John Elder, will not win any prizes for the inventiveness of its plotting, but it is still a serviceable piece of writing.

In conclusion this film may not be as good as earlier Hammer triumphs like 'Curse of Frankenstein' (1957) and 'Dracula' (1958), but it is a lot better than later Hammer films such as 'Scars of Dracula' (1970). The Warner Brothers DVD is presented with mono sound, and an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The DVD has a good quality print of the film, subdivided into twenty three chapters, but the only extra material is the original theatrical trailer.

A great movie. Christopher Lee stars as the blood thirsty vampire Count Dracula. Like all movies from Hammer it is a great great great movie. A village trembles in fear, q priest forsakes his vows in the service of evil an young beauties fall victim to a mysterious seducer. Be scare becuse Dracula is risen from the grave.

Classic film from hammer they dont make um like this anymore and one thing is for sure no one will ever play dracula quite like chrisopher lee true legend of horror!!