Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968)
Starring: Christopher Lee, Rupert Davies, Veronica Carlson
Director: Freddie Francis
Synopsis: Third in Hammer's fabulous Dracula series
Reviewed by: Ali Khan

Hammer's original Dracula was a masterpiece and this was followed by a worthy and impressive sequel, Dracula: Prince of Darkness. Hammer's premiere helmer, Terrence Fisher, directed both films.

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave was the Count's third outing. Set in the European province of Keinberg a year after Dracula had been 'encased in ice', the Monsignor returns to find the peasants in the village literally living in the shadow of Dracula.

In an effort to rid the villagers of their fear of Dracula, The Monsignor and the local Priest set out to exorcise Castle Dracula thereby setting the evil to rest once and for all. However, inadvertently, instead of destroying Dracula they succeed in resurrecting the vampire. Dracula rises from his grave and unleashes a reign of terror.

Dracula has Risen from the Grave was to be directed by Terrence Fisher but an accident meant that Freddie Francis was forced to step in. Francis does an admirable job, particularly in the first half of the film where he builds up an impressive amount of atmosphere and menace. There is good use of shadows and some impressive sets and Dracula's resurrection is particularly striking.

However, as the film progresses it becomes bogged down by the films surprisingly overt religious metaphors, the most evident being the failure of the 'staking process' when undertaken by the atheist hero. Christopher Lee is his magnetic self but without the great Peter Cushing as his nemesis, there is a slight imbalance.

Nevertheless, Francis does a good job of infusing Hammer's typical atmosphere despite the studio having moved from their familiar environs of Bray Studios. All in all not in the same class as the first two Dracula films but certainly a more than good effort.