Dracula aka The Horror of Dracula (1958)
Starring: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Michael Gough
Director: Terrence Fisher
Synopsis: Stunning Dracula remake by the Hammer team
Reviewed by: Ali Khan

Vintage Hammer reworking of Bram Stoker's classic novel with Christopher Lee stepping into a role that he will forever be remembered for. Stunning with typical Hammer visuals and dripping with a sensuous gothic atmosphere and dread.

Coming closely on the heals of the hugely successful Curse of Frankenstein, Hammer released Dracula - the first in the series of films based around Bram Stoker's legendary vampire. As in the case of Curse of Frankenstein, where the Frankenstein monster was given a new image, Dracula too was given a working over.

The film's story loosely resembles the novel with the characters only being based on Stoker's creations. The situation is also changed with the London episode of the novel being completely written out of the film script. Instead, the film is set entirely in the village of Klausenberg somewhere in the Carpathian Mountains. Jonathan Harker, makes his way to Castle Dracula, where he has been employed as a librarian by the aristocratic owner, Count Dracula.

However, he soon finds himself not only the focus of attention of one of the female vampire inhabitants but also a prisoner of the Count. We find out quite soon that Harker was in fact working with eminent Vampire hunter, Dr. Van Helsing in an attempt to rid the world of the evil of Count Dracula.

Unfortunately for Harker, he becomes a victim of the Count while his fiancée also falls prey to a strange anemia. Meanwhile Van Helsing battles against time to find the vampire and destroy him once and for all.

While Hammer made Frankenstein's monster more hideous than had been previously experienced by audiences, Dracula was also unrecognizable from the vampire made famous by Bela Lugosi. There is the stunning first shot of Dracula atop the stairs silhouetted against the light. After a brief pause, Lee glides down to greet his guest. This is our first introduction to Hammer's new Dracula. Lee's Dracula is a tall, aristocratic, even charming, sexual predator.

The film is tightly directed by Hammer's premier helmer, Terence Fischer and he brings the distinctive Gothic Hammer atmosphere to the film. He is helped by a haunting background score and Bray studios wonderful locations.

But the strongest points of the film are the central performances by Lee and Cushing. Cushing, as always, is flawless making the Van Helsing character his own. Similarly, Lee, in his very first outing as the vampire, gave Count Dracula a new identity - no mean achievement considering the effect that Lugosi had over the years.

Despite the fact that he had only 13 lines in the film, Lee brings a hypnotic attractiveness to go with his imposing physical presence. Dracula was Hammer's first and possibly best attempt at what became a very successful franchise for them. It is also a prime example of Hammer at their best. Atmospheric, well acted and thoroughly enjoyable.