I love Lee's Dracula, but this film is an underestimated gem!
The Baron and the brides exhale sensuality (not to mention David Peel's classic beauty).
The storyline is proper and Peter Cushing delivers a powerful performance (I'm yet to see him acting below standard).
A must-see for all horror/Dracula/vampire flicks buffs.
I think I must have one of those faces you can't help believing.share
Just watched this great one as part of my newly acquired 'Hammer Horror Series - The Franchise Collection'. I hope the rest in this set are as good. Next up: The Curse of the Werewolf (1961)
http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&sub=All&id=squid_vicious
The film is very good, but it cannot escape the problem built into it: namely, the absence of Count Dracula.
Sure, David Peel's Baron Meinster is interesting, but Peter Cushing's Van Helsing is the man who beat Dracula. After that, it's impossible to imagine that any other vampire could represent a threat to him.
Consequently, the suspense is severly undermined. Sure, it's fun to watch the story, but it's a foregone conclusion.
READ MORE HERE: http://hollywoodgothique.com/bridesofdracula1960.html
Yeah, you have a point there, STEVE-1559, but it is fun anyway.
Thank you for the link.
I think I must have one of those faces you can't help believing.share
I have a fondness for these Hammer period pieces. They are all full of color and
atmosphere.
Yes; it's hard to believe that when they first appeared, you had to be over 21 to go and see them.
shareI love most of the hammer films, especially the Dracula movies. Does anybody else think that the two vampire brides in this film are a lot paler than Lucy was in the 1958 Dracula, and also the victims in 'Dracula - Prince of Darkness', 'Dracula has risen from the grave' and 'Taste the blood of Dracula. I've always been curious as to why Gina and the other village girl looked a lot whiter than any of the others..
shareTrue- they did appear to be paler by comparison. Maybe the filmmakers wanted to try something a little different in this version. It would make sense that a vampire would be pale, since their blood has been drained from them. And that when they feed, they would make it up(albeit temporarily) and get a more normal-looking complexion back. But pale or not- these two women were just so incredibly gorgeous and sexy. They make my mouth water!
shareDear Wilde child:
You're quite right. The vampires in this film are very, very good-looking and sexy. It's amazing- out of the zillions of movie roles he's had over the years, Cushing is always immediately identified in viewers minds with the Van Helsing character. I think that's because he brings such an authority to the role. He looks the part and acts it. You can see that he takes his role seriously and plays it for keeps. He was all business. And because he believes in his character, it makes the audience believers too.
Hugs,
Steve
This is indeed a fine film, even with it's couple of flaws that can easily be overlooked. I've seen many of Hammer's flicks, if not all and this one always stays on my list of the best ones.
shareYes, one of the very best movies of the Dracula series. I love each one of them but this one is one of the series standouts.
share