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Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee reteam after The Curse of Frankenstein to bring another classic monster to life for Britain’s Hammer Film Studios. In this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Johnathan Harker (John Van Eyssen) arrives at castle of Count Dracula (Christopher Lee) with the intent to kill the vampire. But Dracula vanquishes him, forcing Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) to visit in search of his friend. After he discovers Harker sleeping in a coffin with fangs, he makes use of his trusty hammer and stake, then informs the Harkley family of their loss. Soon after, Dracula begins preying on the family, turning Lucy (Carol Marsh) into a vampire and setting his sights on Mina (Melissa Stribling) while Van Helsing tries to protect them.
I find Horror of Dracula a more successful gothic outing than Curse of Frankenstein. The script starts off less burdened by exposition and the beautifully decorated sets feel a bit more expansive. The second act drags in comparison to the opening and closing ones, but that’s where I fall back on enjoying the British cast do their oh-so-serious make-believe. Cushing is one of my favorite actors, possessing the ability to make me believe just about anything, no matter how ridiculous the plot may be. Any Hammer film that rides his coat tails is off to a good start. Christopher Lee has more to do this time around, distinguishing his version of Dracula under the specter of Bela Lugosi. Michael Gough (Batman) is a wonderful addition as Harkley’s brother-in-law who accompanies Cushing throughout the last half of the film. James Bernard’s score is too exclamatory for my taste, but Horror of Dracula creates a great gothic vibe throughout its short, eighty-two minute run time. And any film ending with Peter Cushing pushing a vampire into the sunlight by turning two candlesticks into a makeshift cross can’t be bad.
With Olga Dickie and Valerie Gaunt. Directed by Terence Fisher (The Curse of Frankenstein, The Hound of the Baskervilles).