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Date Posted: 13:51:01 10/07/11 Fri
Author: Officer Torch
Subject: Dracula-Prince of Darkness (a mini-review)

It's been awhile since I viewed some Hammer Horror. I'm doing catch up. (Will take me awhile, many UK films are not captioned, which can bog down hearing impaired folk.) Not seeing this one on thread list, I started topic, so for what it's worth, here's my 2 cents on this flick.

Actually, not bad, maybe good in fact. It's certainly colorful, a bit short...but likely made during double feature days (with 2nd movie a B type). Christopher Lee plays a good Dracula, though we don't see all that much of him, as we did of Bela Lugosi's Dracula. Also, didn't see any bats. But, imagine differences had to be made.

It's close though to some of the Uni oldie. This Hammer version seems fast moving, even though its length wasn't so different from Universal's film. This flick also has more violence and gore. Some curious points...the castle inside is quite brightly lit for candles. Also, seems Dracula and water do not mix. There are a couple attractive women in the film to spice thing up.

Overall, acting was good, and I'd say it's a good film. Which is better? Uni or Hammers? Well..dunno, hard to decide yet. Could be a toss up for me. I'm certainly convinced though that Hammer's use of color, women, violence and gore perhaps, and music, ratcheted the entertainment some. As much as I liked Universal's Dracula, I didn't care for its lack of a musical score.

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[> Re: Dracula-Prince of Darkness (a mini-review) -- Tim, 23:40:48 10/07/11 Fri [1]

A very good review, Officer Torch. Hammer definitely upped the ante in terms of violence and gore, compared to the Universals.

Top billed Christopher Lee doesn't have a lot of on screen time in this one, true.

I always enjoy seeing Andrew Keir as Father Sandor. A year or two later he would play Professor Quatermass in Hammer's Quatermass and the Pit, aka Five Million Years to Earth.

Tim

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