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Any Other of the Lee Draculas Woth Watching?

posted 13 years ago by jjamp48
23 replies | jump to latest

Finally saw this last night and really enjoyed it. I thought the film looked great and everything about it was economic and precise. There was some good atmosphere in there too. I was very impressed with both Lee and Cushing's takes on their characters, I'd just wished they'd had more scenes together.

My question is, are any of the other Lee and or Cushing Hammer Dracula films worth checking out? I'd probably rate this about an 8 if that helps any. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks

[–] Kammurabi 13 years ago

I'd say you should definitely check out the next two Hammer Dracula films: 'Dracula: Prince of Darkness' and 'Dracula Has Risen From the Grave.' These pretty well carry over directly to one another. Plus after seeing these next two films and liking them (as you probably will), then you may wish to continue to the rest of the films.

I happen to like them all, but most people agree to disagree on a best to worst order. Better to start off seeing them in the order they were made, in my opinion.

.

[–] jjamp48 13 years ago

Cool thinkkam-2, thanks for the response! I couldn't agree more: watching in order usually works best. I will definitely try to check some of those out by Halloween or, if not, soon after. Thanks again

[–] HombreOfAnotherEra 13 years ago

prince of darkness and risen from the grave are good.

scars is very poor. and the poorest of them all.

ad 1972 and satanic rites are funny.

and taste the blood of dracula is ridiculous.

[–] Prichards12345 13 years ago

Don't forget Brides Of Dracula - doesn't feature Lee but Cushing returns as Van Helsing. It's nearly as good as the original. The Lee sequels, to be honest, are not as good. Scars Of Dracula is truly terrible, as is A.D. 72, although it's unintentionally funny. Prince, Grave and Taste are all okay, but don't give Lee enough to do. Satanic Rites is more like an episode of The Avengers than a Dracula movie, it's lively enough, though.

Don't cheese me off.I'm running out of places to hide the bodies.

[–] zebulonguy 13 years ago

I agree that the first three are the best, however I do enjoy Taste The Blood of Dracula, very atmospheric, not enough of Lee due to the fact he had refused to appear until the last minute. In my interview with director Peter Sasdy in Little Shoppe of Horrors he says it is likely Ralph Bates would have become Dracula if Lee did not appear. I actually enjoy Scars of Dracula for the return to the setting of Dracula's castle. I have no time for the final two films in a modern setting,but hey, we all are different and enjoy diverse tastes.

[–] NBVautrain 12 years ago

Horror is the best. Second one is good, third one spends too much time on the bar/bakery plot line.

A shining rewards a small journey backwards in time brings.

[–] zebulonguy 12 years ago

Strangely enough I love the 3rd one more so than the second, the silence of Lee in the 2nd is a big let down after a wonderful build up. The 3rd has superb photography and a wonderful roof top sequence followed by a great climax after Dracula survives a staking but then perishes on that huge gold cross.

[–] psychocosmic-1 12 years ago

just to continue after "zebulonguy": Dracula nr 4 Taste, has a story where Dracula is not really present - only indirectly to the plot, which can be seen as annoying. Nr 5 Scars, many found cheap and trashy, BUT Dracula spend a lot of time in this film and works better as a expliotation horror, nr6 Dracula AD 1972 is not as bad as many thinks just because it is set in modern times among swinging-London teenagers who take drugs and play around with the ash of Dracula, and it has some intense scenes, BUT Nr 7, Satanic Rites/Dracula and his vampirebrides is really flat, unatmospheric, ininspired in contrast to AD 1972!

[–] zebulonguy 12 years ago

Taste the Blood of Dracula Lee had refused to do so Ralph Bates was set to become Dracula , however Lee changed his mind and reprised the role. He was hastily written in and this is why his role is small, however it's a good atmospheric film. I agree with the above post Scars is great with loads of Lee and centred around the castle. However I did and still do detest both the modern times sequels.

[–] psychocosmic-1 12 years ago

Thank you very much of that little info about TASTE, that explains the whole deal with it. Yeah, I guess I am one of very few who has grown to understand the "angle" of Dracula AD, seen from a bunch of teenagers where a weird guy is infiltrating the group to get help to resurrect Dracula! By the way, have you seen VAMPIRE CIRCUS?

[–] zebulonguy 12 years ago

Yes I did enjoy Vampire Circus, very well done. Have you seen it? Never liked the modern Dracula films despite my pal Caroline Munro appearing in the first. She of course likes the film! For me it does not work, the only scene I really enjoyed in D72 was the opening one set in the past.

[–] psychocosmic-1 12 years ago

I understand!

What did you say..MY friend Caroline Munro? Are you kiddin me? Don´t do that, Im old and my heart...You know, she is one of my very most beautiful and sexy favorite actresses ever.. I have all her films, I think! I also read that she, in the mid 70´s was planned to star in a Vampirella (the comic book character) project! Despite that Hammer and other companies that were involved with other actresses who would say ok to nude scenes, I thought they blew the whole idea, missed the opportunity not making a feature with Caroline in the lead! She was perfect, and if she didnt want to make nude scenes, why was she kicked from the project? Misogyne men! Adore her!

[–] zebulonguy 12 years ago

Yes Honestly I know Caroline well and can tell you she is a lovely warm person. I know she has refused nude scenes and turned down Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde which Martine Beswick got. I don't want it to come over as a boast and hope it does not seem so, she really is a kind decent person. I know nothing about Vampirella and will have to ask her. By the way do you know the actor John Carson? Now I have known him 33 years and am proud to call him friend. I bet this is coming over as a boast, sorry I am just very lucky.

[–] psychocosmic-1 12 years ago

Hi there! Nice to hear from you! Or read from you...
First of all, I must say that you don´t appear to be boasting at all. I still wonder if I would not be boasting myself if I knew Carolyn. Yes, I think it´s sad that a young actress would not get the job just because she didn´t want to show herself in the nude. I wouldn´t have problems if they would have shown her, but filmmakers missed opportunities by ignoring more than one beautiful, lovely and talented woman who could easily been raised to stardom in the old Hollywood era. About John Carson: I checked him up, and I recognized him immediately from TV plays, TV series that was shown here in Sweden in the late 60´s and early 70´s plus one or more from Hammer Studios. If it isn´t the other Johnny Carson from Johnny Carson Show you mean! Are you also an actor?

[–] zebulonguy 12 years ago

Yes it is John Carson, in Hammer's Plague of the Zombies, Taste the Blood of Dracula and Captain Kronos. He is now in his 80's but a great fit guy. Of course you are correct about missed opportunities on film, very sad. No, I am no actor but I do write and interview actors sometimes. It's great to meet them. Very best to you.

[–] psychocosmic-1 12 years ago

And very best to you! If you want to chat about movies or anything just send me something.

[–] BuddyLove63 12 years ago

You lucky bugger. You know Caroline Munro. Wow. Just wow!! I think Id faint if I was ever in her company and she still looks gorgeous today!

[–] blackswan50 12 years ago

that's awesome tell her shes awesome my name is jon-michael fink

[–] FascistAnarchist999 12 years ago

Haven't seen it yet, (Will soon) but heard mixed reviews on Scars Of Dracula, and that Dracula is at his most savage in it.

[–] ElectricWarlock 11 years ago

I've seen all of the Hammer Dracula movies except for Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires (which I plan to see very soon), and I love them all very much. I don't think there's one bad film in the series and I make sure to watch them all at least once a year. I always look forward to watching all of them and it's always one of the highlights of my year. But this year I am expecting Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires in the mail soon so I'll be able to add it to my Dracula lineup. I'm very excited for that. My favorite of the ones I've seen is Dracula Has Risen From His Grave, but I love them all very much.

Death lives in the Vault of Horror!

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Movie_Piranha_1979 11 years ago

IMO every single one!

Prostitute: What the *beep* are you doing?
Johnny: I'm gonna kill a bunch of people.

[–] 11 years ago

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