Though not quite up to the standard of Hammer's first major success, 'Horror of Dracula', this follow up still represents another feather in the great studio's already feather filled cap. Returning from the first film are director Terence Fisher and, of course, Christopher Lee as the Count. Unfortunately, Peter Cushing doesn't recoup his role as the vampire hunter, Van Helsing and the film suffers a loss because of that; but it works despite that fact and although Cushing would no doubt have added to the film, it obviously doesn't need him to succeed. As Hammer are famous for playing with existing stories, and as they've already covered the original story; this one is a completely new version of Dracula. The plot follows four British tourists that end up in Dracula's castle and, as you can imagine, end up becoming dinner for everyone's favourite bloodsucker. Not Hammer's best storyline, I'm sure you'll agree, but as it's done with all the panache and style that we've come to love from Hammer, so they don't really need to set the world of plotting on fire to deliver a damn fine horror movie.
Christopher Lee is a great actor. He doesn't bring quite the same greatness to the role of Dracula that Bela Lugosi did before him, but if there was any actor to take the reins, Lee is definitely the one that I want. However, the problem with Lee's performance in this movie is that he doesn't get a lot of screen time, and considering he's the top billed star; I felt a little ripped off at him not being in it all that much. Every scene with him in it is a delight, however, and it's just a shame that there isn't all that many of them. The four actors playing the British tourists mostly carry the film, and although they aren't bad; none of them have anything on Christopher Lee. Terence Fisher's direction is adequate as usual, and he does a good job at creating the right sort of atmosphere and tension. There isn't a great deal of blood in the story, but it doesn't matter as that's not the point of the film, and the Hammer clichés that have gained them so many fans figure to an extent that you wont even notice the lack of blood and guts. This isn't the best Dracula film ever made, or even the best Dracula film that Hammer made; but it's a solid one and fans of Dracula and Hammer will no doubt find lots to like.
Christopher Lee is a great actor. He doesn't bring quite the same greatness to the role of Dracula that Bela Lugosi did before him, but if there was any actor to take the reins, Lee is definitely the one that I want. However, the problem with Lee's performance in this movie is that he doesn't get a lot of screen time, and considering he's the top billed star; I felt a little ripped off at him not being in it all that much. Every scene with him in it is a delight, however, and it's just a shame that there isn't all that many of them. The four actors playing the British tourists mostly carry the film, and although they aren't bad; none of them have anything on Christopher Lee. Terence Fisher's direction is adequate as usual, and he does a good job at creating the right sort of atmosphere and tension. There isn't a great deal of blood in the story, but it doesn't matter as that's not the point of the film, and the Hammer clichés that have gained them so many fans figure to an extent that you wont even notice the lack of blood and guts. This isn't the best Dracula film ever made, or even the best Dracula film that Hammer made; but it's a solid one and fans of Dracula and Hammer will no doubt find lots to like.