MovieChat Forums > The Brides of Dracula (1960) Discussion > Baron Meinster

Baron Meinster

posted 17 years ago by Normal-Bates
18 replies | jump to latest

Who else thought that, in a way, David Peel as Baron Meinster was much more frightening from Christopher Lee's Dracula in some scenes of the movie?

E.g. When Baron Meinster appears for the first time in the windmill, he has that look when looking at Van Helsing, that truly terrifying look, and when he brings Marianne for the first time in the windmill and you have that chilling shot of Peel's eyes, and his voice when he shouts "Look at me Marianne, look at me in the eyes!".

Truly, there were moments in the film when I thought that Peel was as frightening (or even more frightening) than Lee -although we know that Lee is the one who is most terrifying vampire in Hammer Films. Who else thought that Peel was hell much more scarier than Lee in some scenes of the film?

[–] johnrtracy 16 years ago

I don't feel that David Peel, as Baron Meinster, was scarier than Christopher Lee's Dracula, however, he gave a first rate performance as the vampire, Baron Meinster. I only wish that Hammer had made a sequal with David Peel as Baron Meinster. "The Brides Of Dracula" was one of Hammer's best. John R. Tracy

[–] mercury4 16 years ago

I agree. David Peel was great. Brides of Dracula was a great movie. I also wish the Baron returned in a sequel.

[–] onnanob2 16 years ago

I also agree. David Peel did a great job. Hammer should have used him again.

[–] jwpeel-1 16 years ago

I have to say that this was the first Dracula picture I was brave enough to see in the theater (I was 7 at the time) and some neighborhood kids didn't believe me when I told them that Peel was MY last name. Can someone tell me why David Peel's name doesn't appear on any of the posters? That always bothered me. I also must say that I was supremely dissapointed that there WAS no Dracula in the movie despite the title.

Christopher Le was a FAR better vampie than was David Peel despite his excellent family name! ;)

[–] Matt-234 13 years ago

He made an interesting different-from-Dracula-yet-not alternate vampire antagonist for Cushing's Van Helsing. I haven't seen this film since I was a kid, but I remembering him coming across as far more human, as opposed to the purely monstrous Lee Dracula, which in a way made him scarier.

[–] a_l_i_e_n 16 years ago

Yes, I found David Peel's character even more frightening than Christopher Lee's Dracula, and that's high praise indeed.

[–] rokrox 15 years ago

I thought the Baron was scary because he seemed very unpredicatable. There was a lot of light menace in almost everything he said, and although he couldn't master the fangs as well as Lee, his eyes were very good.

"Of course it's me, who were you expecting?"

[–] preppy-3 14 years ago

IMO Peel was great in this movie. It's true that Lee was much more violent than Peel but Peel was very handsome and put across the sexual appeal better than Lee. He probably didn't want to do another one because of his age. I mean he was 40 when he did this one! Also he was gay and that might have been another problem.

[–] migsly 14 years ago

Lee just wasn't as appealing a vampire as Peel. Peel was extremely frightening and sexy at the same time. Everything a woman really wants. lol. Lee just looked like somebody's dad with fangs. lol.

[–] hairybro2000 14 years ago

I agree with others here, David Peel have a great performance and I too wish there had been a sequel.

But saying that I love Christopher Lee as Dracula. I remember seeing first run and was scared out of my wits when I sas Dracula Has Risen From the Grave.
I thought he was very sexy as Dracula with those blood red eyes..Also I think it is Dracula Prince of Darkness when he cuts his chest and lets a woman suck his blood that way. That was way hot too!!!!

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] www1125 13 years ago

A sequel having Dracula and Meinster teaming up against Van Helsing would've been interesting.

"Do you mind if I don't smoke?" ---Groucho Marx

[–] ripley1642 13 years ago

I thought he looked just like Gilderoy Lockhart from Harry Potter! ; )

[–] theblackestmagic 12 years ago

I would like to have seen this film with Lee returning as the actual Dracula. Obviously they would have had to change some of the story plots and elements around abit. But I really would have like to have seen a 'Brides of Dracula' film with Lee and his many female brides/accomplices wrecking havoc throughout the village! Now that would have been a fun flick to watch!

[–] blueyedblondee51 8 years ago

I saw this movie when I was 9 years old and it was so frightening to me that I couldn't sleep for a month. I used to go to bed at night with the covers up to my neck. I just watched it as an adult on Svengoolie and figured it was so scary as a child because Dracula (Baron Meister) was very handsome and you don't expect a monster to be good looking. Also, it was pretty bloody for its time--with the stake through the heart and the blood flowing out.

[–] Strannger (2007) 8 years ago

Thanks jim. Some intense scenes. I think Christopher Lee was in all these films

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

more comical i thought

[–] strangenstein (683) 5 years ago

I’ve made this comparison before, and I think it still fits. Christopher Lee and David Peel are Prince William and Prince Harry. Prince William, because of his position as first born, is more stately and reserved. Prince Harry knows he’ll probably never have a shot at the throne, so the pressure is off. He’s still a part of the family, but he’s also a free spirit. (This analogy doesn’t work quite as well now that Harry has renounced his title.)

Both Lee and Peel were amazing.