Rating: 
Summary: New Blood
Review: This spectacular movie offered new blood to the dying genre in the late 50's. It's vivid, literary and sexy.
Bram Stoker Puritans will probably be offended by the freedom of this adaptation, but it actually illuminates some of the themes, that was only hinted at in the novel, especially the disproportion between Victorian morals and basic biology, rationality and sexuality, conservatism and spirit.
Peter Cushing is a wonderful Van Helsing, arriving with the jingling laboratory of Enlightenment in his luggage, but at the same time dependent on the old cross and holy water. Christopher Lee is archetypical as the vampire, the erotic Nemesis of the repressed and repressing bourgeoisie, and his sexual charm is at least plausible, in stark contrast to Bela Lugosi's reptilian performance. It's one of Hammer's finest, only surpassed by the third instalment in the series, "Dracula - The Prince of Darkness" (1965).
Rating:
Summary: Lee is No1
Review: Forget Bela, Christopher Lee is Dracula.
This is the best Hammer film ever.
Unlike modern horror movies, the acting is superb. Lee and Cushing both produce the performances of their careers.
Ever wondered why they were in so many movies????
Well this is the picture is the reason.
A timeless classic.
Rating:
Summary: BLOODY GOOD SHOW
Review: Hammer Films was fortunate enough to have some really talented actors, script writers, directors and composers to work on their series of horrifying movies that started in 1957 with the "Curse of Frankenstein" to their second, "Horror of Dracula." While taking many liberties with the original novel, this version stays closer than most and offers Christopher Lee in his first spin as Dracula. Although on screen very little, his presence is smoldering, fantastically evil and domineering. Peter Cushing, as always, plays the fanatical Van Helsing with heroic finesse and a bit of charm as well; Michael Gough in one of his early roles is a perfect foil as the upper crust Homewood; and Melissa Stribling as Mina is subtly seductive. The lighting and camera work are wonderful and James Bernard's score is one of horrodom's best.
A truly important film in the horror genre, it still maintains the ability to frighten and entertain!
Rating:
Summary: Rates right up with NOSFERATU and Bela Lugosi's DRACULA!!!!!
Review: The late 1950s were a historical significance to the Horror Genre, being the first to introduce Gothic Horror in splendid technicolor. With the release of THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN in 1957, it seemed only logical to follow with an adaptation of the DRACULA legend - and this, the first of many feature films, passes in flying colors.From the opening credits to the ending, James Bernard's haunting music score sends a chilling fear to the audience symbolizing a sense of cruelty and authority from Count Dracula, juxtaposing Christopher Lee's tigerish sensual interpretation. In a clever first opening before the first fade in, a close-up of Dracula's coffin is visible and smear of blood forms a crucifix. WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!!! Unlike Bela Lugosi's 1931 film, it follows Bram Stoker's novel more closely. Jonathan Harker adjourns to Castle Dracula, posing as a librarian, to destroy the Count. He is warned off by superstitious peasants and secretly keeps a diary of everything that he encounters. He soon gets more than he bargained for when Dracula and his Vampiress trap him, and lure him to be one of them. His attempts to destroy the Count are in vain. Enter Peter Cushing (after a thoroughly evil performance as Baron Frankenstein) as the brave and heroic Professor Van Helsing, who releases Jonathan from his spell too late. When he passes the news to Arthur Holmwood (a young Michael Gough), and his wife Mina (Melissa Stribling), and an ailing Lucy (Carol Marsh) matters become more complicated. Another deviation in the novel Lucy is Arthur's ailing wife, and Mina is Jonathan's fiancee. When Lucy perishes, Arthur is convinced to aid Van Helsing in his quest. Like THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN before it the film is rich in technicolor and graphic with violent close-ups of vampires being staked to death, or victims being bitten in the jugular. Likewise, the performances are splendid, and the action is fast-paced and unrelenting. You are guaranteed to be kept at the edge of your seat! There are chilling moments a plenty, consisting of Dracula's rising from his coffin echoing Max Schreck's infamous scenes in NOSFERATU. Even more convincing is Christopher Lee having precisely the right look and physique for the role. Tall, suave, handsome, and athletic. Unlike Max Schreck's ratlike figure or Bela Lugosi's aristocratic charmer, or John Carradine's Shakespearen flair, - Christopher Lee provides the perfect characterization and would return in 1966's DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS and several later films to follow. Now in his 80s, he is still a rising star off the recent success of STAR WARS EPISODE 2 and the LORD OF THE RINGS films. He was memorable as the villain in the 1974 James Bond classic THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN. He also provides a definite precursor to come when Dracula would be portrayed later by such actors as Louis Jourdan, Jack Palance, Frank Langella, and Gary Oldman. Let's not forget Udo Kier in BLOOD FOR DRACULA. I can't say enough without spoiling - any true-blooded Horror Fan MUST buy this - YOU ARE GUARANTEED TO LOVE IT! Terence Fisher's very best film to date!
Rating:
Summary: Lee brought new life to the role
Review: Chris Lee has had a love-hate relationship with Dracula. He played him in a series of films (progressively WORSE) for Hammer Films, and was often very vocal because the works got farther and farther from Stoker's story. He did a Spanish version where he starts out with grey hair and moustache, and he felt it was a more faithful adaption. Interesting, but it really does not hold a candle to this first outing. The poor lensing and production quality was a stake to the heart to the Spanish version. Hammers production is lush in quality and colour, with the powerful, aristocrat Count (Lee) meeting Harker in his castle in Transylvania, then later flees to England to stalk Harker fiancé. Only, in seducing Mina and Lucy, he comes up against a formidable foe Van Helsing, wonderfully played by the late great Peter Cushing (the second pairing for the duo, the first Hammer's Frankenstein). They were super in their struggle, climaxing in their battle of good against evil swashbuckle style. Lee was dynamically menacing, with courtly European grace and manners, and turned on the sensual magic that saw him soon recognised as a star world wide. The best of the Hammer Vampires, and despites Lee's often dismissal of the films and others for Hammers, it stands as a brilliant work. At this price, it's a super bargain!
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Summary: the greatest dracula film ever
Review: this was truly a horror of dracula movie!Chris lee was terrific not to mention sexy.Iloved the way he spoke in tha demanding and so manly voice of his........
Rating:
Summary: The horror, the horror
Review: One of Hammer's finest films and the one that really put the company on the map, Horror of Dracula features two of the best performances in any Dracula film; Peter Cushing radiates energy, passion and purpose as Van Helsing. He gives the performance an edge missing from almost every other performance save Anthony Hopkins odd take on the character. The vitality of Cushing's performance makes it believeable that he is, indeed, a formitable foe for Lee's Dracula. Lee, on the other hand, radiates sensual animal energy as Dracula. This is a creature that can be both charming and deadly all within a few moments of each other. While Lee would go on to play the character numerous times, the character was robbed of "life" with each successive feature. Sadly, there was no one that could come up with as compelling a script as screenwriter Jimmy Sangster did with this his second Hammer feature. The team of Sangster and director Terence Fisher breath life into a character that had become a joke by the beginning of the 50's. While Fisher's film lack the cinematic scope of directors like David Lean, Alfred Hitchcock or Stanley Kubrick, he is of a similar stature within the horror genre. His films have color, movement where other horror films are static and a number of great performances. Horror of Dracula, despite the budget limitations apparent on the screen, is probably the most faithful in spirit to Stoker's novel. Rather than allow the material to be bogged down in atmosphere, Fisher chose to make Dracula an action film. This approach had a huge impact on the genre as a whole. Fisher and Hammer changed the rules of the horror genre with this film. The gore was evident on screen and in vibrant technicolor. Sangster's adaption does make a number of interesting departures from Stoker's novel (for budget as well as cinematic reasons). Jonathan Harker has been hired by Dracula to catalog his enormous library on his estate. Upon his arrival, Harker is charmed by Dracula but puzzled when his mistress tells him privately that she is being held prisoner. Later Harker encounters her again and she attacks him biting him on the neck. Harker awakens in his bedroom and begins his true work; he's a vampire killer and disciple of Dr. Van Helsing. He plans on killing Dracula and his bride. He updates his journal for Van Helsing (knowing that he will come looking for him)and leaves it by the castle gates hidden in a crevice. He drives a stake through the heart of Dracula's bride but fails to do so with Dracula himself; sundown has arrived and Dracula plans on feasting on the unfortunate Harker. Dracula then decides to take Harker's fiance as his next bride as part of his revenge. Van Helsing shows up at the Inn where Harker dined prior to venturing to Castle Dracula. Clearly the residents are frightened of Dracula; they don't want to discuss Harker. Van Helsing makes his way to the caslte in hopes of finding his friend. The DVD transfer is vivid and terrific (particularly when compared to a film only a few years older House of Wax produced by Warner Brothers). The film appears to be overmatted a bit (some of the heads are cropped a bit too closely). It could be that this is the matted version that Warner released to theaters in the US. I seem to recall that Horror was released in an aspect ratio fairly close to the stnadard 1.33:1 television aspect ratio. I could be mistaken. The most glaring sin is the lack of extras. Lee has done full audio commentaries for the marvelous The Devil Rides Out and the minor classic Dracula Prince of Darkness so I'm surprised Warner didn't contact him for this. It probably came down to simple economics. The Mummy was released the same way two years ago. It's a pity as Lee's commentary would have been very interesting. Although it's a flawed release, this movie certainly deserves all five stars given it. It's one of the seminal horror films from the 50's and one that changed the rules of the game. The image quality and sound make this edition worth seeking out despite some minor blemishes such as the overmatting of the image.
Rating:
Summary: Who Will Be His Bride Tonight?
Review: What a great introduction to Hammer Horror. This wasn't my first Hammer horror movie, but it is certainly one of the best, along with Curse Of Frankenstein. Peter Cushing is perfect as Doctor Van Helsing, the vampire hunter. He sets the standard to which all others who play the role, tracking the vile contagion to its' source. And Lee is perfect as Dracula. I hadn't seen this movie in a long time, and I had forgotten how little screen time Lee actually gets, but it certainly doesn't detract from the story. He presents a quite gruesome, yet seductive monster. The scenes where Dracula (Lee) is presented in his bloodlust are certainly frightening and vivid, and make a lasting impression on the viewer which seems to me one of the reasons why Lee doesn't get more screen time. We're shown the monster, and then taken back into the chase of the elusive creature, wondering where he'll strike next, who will be his next victim. We don't need his constant presence to know he lurking somewhere, waiting for the oppourtunity to strike again. The other characters hold their own, but Cushing and Lee are the real reason to watch this gem. I don't want to give away the story, but rather let it unfold to the viewer, but I will say the ending is quite spectacular. Also, this movie is seeped with atmosphere, from the castle to the English countryside. One thing I really liked about this version was there were no transformations by Dracula. He never turned into a bat, wolf, etc. and that notion was presented as a myth of the vampire. There was one scene where Van Helsing and another were patroling the outside of a house, waiting for Dracula to appear, only to find out that he gained entrance to the house through non supernatural means. As I said, I don't want to spoil it, so watch and see. This movie may seem a little tame by today's standards, but it gave me the creeps. Seeing Lee as Dracula, especially when he had the bloodlust, is enough to give nightmares.
Rating: 
Summary: It Isn't What This Film Deserves
Review: Yes, this is the first and greatest of the Christopher Lee outings as Dracula. It's also probably the best Dracula movie ever made. So why release such a shoddy DVD of this horror masterpiece? If there's a film that deserves audio commentaries, behind the scenes footage, biographies or even a decent photo gallery, this is the one. Yet, the producers of this DVD thought so little of this film that a still photograph on the rear cover isn't even from this film. Affectionados will probably recognize the buxom victim represented as being from the later 'Dracula A.D. 1972'. If you can't even get something as obvious as that correct, then you shouldn't bother at all. I'm going to wait until someone who cares releases this film on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Hammer Stands Alone
Review: Dracula has been through many, many incarnations since Bram Stoker's novel first appeared. Some of them are quite good and some of them are laughable. And after all these years, Hammer Studios' "Horror of Dracula" stands at the top of the pile. Why? If nothing else, Hammer paid close attention to setting the proper atmosphere for most of its films. The castle, the costumes, the period detail, even the wood of the stakes looks perfect. An impressive fantasy world was constructed with this film, a world that you can get lost in. Add to the package wonderful acting and the presence of two great horror actors Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. (Will we ever see their likes again?) A great package. Although very tame these days, for the time, the sexual undercurrent of the film was quite daring. Remember, this was 1958. The film-going public was used to films about creatures from the sea, mutant ants, and flying saucers. "Horror of Dracula" really made people sit up and take notice. And it still does. The film also contains one of the most memorable endings in the horror genre. Not to be missed.
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