Horror of Dracula

release year: 1958
genre: Hammer vampire horror
viewing setting: home DVD, 4/30/16 and 11/15/03

synopsis: In a somewhat changed version of the original story, Count Dracula kills a few people, then goes up against vampire hunter Van Helsing.

impressions: Pretty good. This is rightfully called one of the best, if not the best, of the Hammer films featuring Dracula. It's well-paced and -acted, with good use of music and shadows as well as some strong characters and good acting.

something this movie has that no other movie has: a stupid maid who unwittingly destroys the anti-vampire measures and thus brings about the death of the lady of the house

predecessor to: Dracula, Prince of Darkness

acting: Christopher Lee did a great job as Dracula - tall, grim, regal, full of menace. Peter Cushing did an equally great job as the vampire hunter Van Helsing - confident, charismatic, and efficient. Michael Gough (who played the butler Alfred in the "Batman" movies thirty years later) was also good as the family man who must become a vampire hunter too.

final word: good old vampire fun

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