The movies of Hammer Studio are a source of some disagreement in the Horror world. While some fans find them elegant and elevated visions of Horror, others find them too refined and tidy to really fit into the standardized American ideal of Horror. No matter on which side of the debate any particular fan might fall, there is one thing they will invariably agree on - and that is the greatest of the Hammer films was undoubtedly the 1958 classic HORROR OF DRACULA.
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Following the Stoker story only slightly more closely that the 1931 Lugosi version, HORROR OF DRACULA brings a uniquely English sensibility to the Dracula story. A clean, stately, and sophisticated style permeates the film while still delivering a wonderfully creepy atmosphere. The direction of Terence Fisher, the photography of Jack Asher, and Bernard Robinson’s production design are all top notch. The thing that really puts this film over the top, however, is its performances. Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, Michael Gough as Arthur, and Melissa Stribing as Mina would be enough to carry any movie, but this film (like any other Dracula movie) lives and dies by its titular lead, and HORROR OF DRACULA boasts the great Christopher Lee as the main man himself.
Christopher Lee’s performance as Dracula was a vast departure from Lugosi’s. While retaining and sometimes amplifying the sexually charged nature (on film, anyway) of the character, Christopher Lee brought a level of menace all his own. Though much of this was due to Lee’s physical attributes - his 6’5” stature and naturally dominating presence - much of it comes from the decision to make Dracula largely silent. Dracula only has 13 lines in the entire film. The rest of Lee’s performance is a wonder of body acting. Using only his face, gestures, and movements to convey what our villain is thinking and plotting. It is little wonder that many Horror fans place his performance as second only to Lugosi’s as the definitive cinematic depiction of Count Dracula - some even placing it above.
HORROR OF DRACULA was a success with audiences and critics alike - grossing $25 million worldwide. It quickly was recognized as something very special and found a long life in theaters, festivals and eventually on television. In 2007, the British Film Institute selected HORROR OF DRACULA for preservation. They were not the only ones. In 2011, a print containing a longer version of the disintegration scene was found in the preservation vaults of Tokyo’s National Film Center. The films of Hammer Studios may generally be hit or miss, but Horror audiences all over the world fell under the spell of HORROR OF DRACULA and will for generations to come.
Parental Guide:This one is good for ages 13+.
HORROR OF DRACULA fun facts -
The film was known simply as DRACULA in Britain. It was changed to HORROR OF DRACULA for its U.S. release because the 1931 DRACULA was still regularly playing in American theaters in in 1958.
Christopher Lee was paid only 750 pounds (about $1400) for his portrayal of Dracula.
In 2007 Christopher Lee was contacted by a London costume shop to verify the authenticity of a cape they thought was the one worn in HORROR OF DRACULA. It turned out it was and the cape’s estimated value is $50,000.
Dracula only ever speaks to Jonathan Harker.
Dracula - “I am Dracula and I welcome you to my house. I must apologize for not being here to greet you personally, but I trust you have found everything you needed. “
Van Helsing - “Please try to understand this is not Lucy the sister you loved. It is only a shell possessed and corrupted by the evil of Dracula. To liberate her soul and give her peace, we must destroy that shell for all time. Believe me. There is no other way.”
Dracula - “Sleep well, Mr. Harker…”