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Dracula - Prince of Darkness

Dracula - Prince of Darkness

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Chris Lee is the best
Review: Thanks to British bloke Christopher Lee, the vampire has never been portrayed more effectively or more frighteningly on film. 'Dracula, Prince of Darkness' is his first to be released on DVD and happily one of his better outings. The script isn't as effective as his previous 'Horror of Dracula', but the atmosphere is more eerie and the pace is more measured. It's a shame that today's fantasy-horror filmmakers rely far more on violence and gory special effects rather than good acting and storytelling to tell a spooky tale. It least we have the great fright classics of the past to look back on. But Lee is what really makes the film special, even if he does have no lines to speak. Great camerawork by Michael Reed and exciting music by James Bernard.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Silence is not golden
Review: The first sequel to the Horror of Dracula falls way short of the first film. Dracula is accidently revived and reeks havoc on two visiting couples. The sets and costumes are vibrant and catching. The biggest problem with the film is that Christopher Lee does not speak, it does not matter who they are or how good he was in the first film, growling and hissing only go so far. By not giving Lee any lines, this film started out as sub-par and could not hope to dig itself out of the hole. The film does have some interesting action scenes leading to the climax, but the conclusion is very flimsy and hokey. This is a film that eventually falls short of it's mark.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A great Dracula movie for all fans of Christopher Lee!
Review: Not really as bloody as the other Dracula movies starring Christopher Lee but it does command your attention, keeps you on the edge of your seat. Christopher Lee's portrayal of the count really didn't need him to speak in this movie, he commands your attention and that's what draws you into the movie. An excellent movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Eerie movie, excellent acting and good cast
Review: I watch a lot of old horror movies. The old dracula movies with Bela Lugosi are not half as good as these british hammer horror. This is a classic. It's eerie, with good acting. Christopher Lee is excellent. I really love these hammer horror flicks.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Dracula Prince Of Darkness A Different Treat
Review: It looks like Hammer Studio's old movies are coming out for resale. Hammer is very well known in the horror industry as being the great horror film company who churned out tons of pictures in the 60's. I for one had never seen a true Hammer Studios movie until this one. Dracula - Prince Of Darkness is supposedly a sequel to Horror Of Dracula. I have not seen that either. It starts out in the beginning with a bunch of clips from that movie though. After that is through the real film starts.

This one pits Dracula against four travellers. Two brothers and their wives. The four travellers from England are travelling through the Carpathians when they become stranded. Lo and behold a carriage with no driver arrives and quickly whisks them away to Castle Dracula. They wander the castle alone for a while until they meet up with Dracula's servant Klove. They dine and inquire to Klove about his master. Klove whom has served Dracula even though he has been dead for ten years (destroyed in Horror Of Dracula) says that it was his master's wish to always welcome guests.

This sets the stage for an entertaining movie indeed. This being my Hammer Studios introduction I have never seen how they have destroyed and brought back to life (or unlife) Dracula. They way they bring Drac back is similar to they way Jason was brought back in the Friday the 13th movies, but remember, this was in the 60's pre-Jason. The ending however was fresh indeed. No stake in the heart, no burning in the rays of the Sun, no, this was an entirely new method, yet, a way we all knew Dracula could be ended. Interesting, and enough action and story to go along for the ride. Suzan Farmer was excellent as the innocent (yet sexy) young wife. Christopher Lee played a great Dracula, although I wished he would have spoken in the movie (I'll have to see if that's the way Dracula is in all the Hammer movies). If you are a classics fan, or Dracula fan this is a must see. Some of the things in the story are just too good to miss.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A slight disapointment but still entertaining
Review: This one is - from what I've seen - Hammer's worst dracula film. Sure, it's got its moments and Lee is in top form as Dracula. Yet, the chill just isn't there. It's just pure cheese. Yet, it does have its moments. It's not bad, just not great, either.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: An okay repersantation worth mentioning
Review: dracula Prince of Darkness, the second hammer horror dracula in the series. starring christopher Lee in an unspeeking role(why?), and the worst actress, Barbra Shelly(I don't know about you but shelly reminds me of my seventh grade teacher). One of the few wide screen hammer films that I could find, its a must have for any hammer collecter. The story isn't bad, four travelers from england are taking a vacation in, of all places, the Carpathian, supposedly to broden there minds. They are abandoned by there coach driver so when a misterios cart comes rolling down the road they decide to take it. But the horses went in the wrong direrction, towards castle Dracula. The servent of the castle, kills one of the travlers and pours blood on the ashes of the count(he ran into the sun in Horror of Dracula). then Dracula stocks helen (the sventh grade teacher(Barbra Shelly). Two travelers get out alive after being confronted by Dracula. They seek the help of a preist who knows how to destroy vampires(a real Van Helsing). They Destroy the count with a bit of the old stake through the heart. a few bad points, no dialog from the Lee, the cute chick doesnt get naked, and Barbra Shelly. It's too bad.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: "A full-blooded sequel to sink your teeth into".
Review: After the success of "Dracula" in 1958, Hammer atlast decided to bring back Christopher Lee after seven years for a second outing as the bloodsucker. Why it took Hammer so long to realise how good Lee was as the Count in the first place is anyones guess. This time Dracula doesn't speak a single word throughout the entire film. He hisses, snarls and spits, but quite simply there is nothing for him to say. Only Lee with his rivetting screen presence could carry this off. The story involves four English travellers who take refuge in Dracula's castle, not a smart move and deserve everything they get when one of them ends being sacrificed for the Counts revival. A somewhat unimaginative plot, but in the capable hands of Hammer's star directer Terence Fisher there are some fine moments. Superb characterizations including the late Andrew Keir as the charismatic Father Sandor who is as every bit a determined and powerful a character as Peter Cushing's Van Helsing from the first two films. Thorley Walters as the deranged often comic Renfield type character Ludwig and above all Barbara Shelley as Helen who transforms from upright frump to wild siren after she is vampirized by Dracula. The film also boasts three excellent set-pieces. The first one being the resurrection of the Count in which poor old Charles Tingwell is suspended upside down over Dracula's tomb and his throat slashed by disciple Klove (chillingly portrayed by Philip Latham)in a scene which is truly shocking even today. The second being the physical dual between Dracula and young hero Francis Matthews after the latter discovers the mutilated body of his brother (Tingwell. The last being the final scenes in which Dracula drowns in the icy waters around his castle. The final descent beneath the ice was actually performed by Chris Lee's stuntman and double Eddie Powell who almost drowned in the process. Another wise choice was to bring back James Bernard's famous three note Dracula signature tune that was sadly lacking in later Dracula sequels. All in all a worthy sequel, and although not on par the 1958 classic, is still far superior to later follow-ups.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good film representing the Hammer Film style
Review: "Dracula-Prince of Darkness" is only a fair film in the Christopher Lee(as Dracula) cycle of films. But it is far superior to the later Hammer Film Dracula films, such as "The Satanic Rites of Dracula", "Dracula A.D. 1972" or the absolutely terrible "Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires. "Dracula-Prince of Darkness" does capture the atmosphere of the 19th century, both in costume and settings. While, unfortunately, Christopher Lee does not have any lines in the film, he does have a commanding presence. As in all Hammer Films, there is female sex appeal and Suzan Farmer and Barbara Shelley fill the roles nicely. The rest of the cast, especially Andrew Keir, are very good. Overall, "Dracula-Prince of Darkness" is a good reprsentative film of the Hammer Film style.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dracula-Prince of Darkness: A must see for all horror fans!!
Review: This film was first released in 1965 and is certainly worth the 90 minates of running time. Filmed in Techniscope, Dracula-Prince of Darkness is about 4 tourists who stray off their destination of Carlsbad and end up within the walls of Castle Dracula. Christopher Lee and Barbara Shelley provide plenty of scares and keep you on the edge of your seats. Plenty of gore and a very tense scene involving B. Shelley towards the end of the film, make this (in my opinion) one of the scariest Dracula films ever. Although Christopher Lee was disappointed that he didn't have a speaking role, I think (in my opinion) it made him more frightning to watch. The only 2 faults I have with this film is the dialog a little weak at beginning and an extra scene or two could have been used at the end. Never the less, an enjoyable film to watch for all horror fans. Cast: Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Francis Matthews, Andrew Keir, Susan Farmer, Charles Tingwell and Thorley Walters. Director: Terence Fisher


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