It is difficult for me to decide which one I consider Hammer's greatest achievement in Horror films !
Both have aspects I embrace : one has the rich colour and style and gothicity(plus Van Helsing) while the other has the storyline(what a sequel to Horror of Drac.!) and characters & Chris Lee w\Andrew Keir and Latham at their best-and throw in Babs Shelley for good measure !
It is tough indeed ... and so I'll wait ....
This is a really tough one! I love both movies, but I’m going to go with Brides for one reason: No dialogue for Dracula in DPoD. Lee’s deep, sepulchral voice is a character unto itself, and his lack of dialogue in the film is very noticeable. DPoD is still a great movie, and Terence Fisher fills every frame with tons of atmosphere.
Brides of Dracula is also an amazing film, with plenty of thrills and scares, and it features great performances from Peter Cushing and David Peel.
I love both films, but I’m going with Brides by a hair. DPoD has such a tremendous buildup, and director Fisher creates a palpable sense of dread. However, once the count is up and about, the movie begins to lose some steam. Not completely, mind you; there are still some good moments in the second half (although I think the ending on the ice is botched).
Brides, on the other hand, maintains a nice even pace, and that really propels the story forward. There isn’t that strong sense of dread we find in DPoD, but rather a more elegant - and innocent - feel. That’s not to say Brides doesn’t have its share of scares; they’re simply created differently.
One last thing that tips the scale to Brides for me: Dialogue for Baron Meinster. He may not be saying anything profound, but actor Peel has a nice, melodious voice, and much of what he says (and how he says it) has a nice ring of menace to it. Oh, how I would’ve loved to have heard Mr. Lee’s sepulchral tones in DPoD!
Brides because of Peter Cushing, and the rich colours. Possibly the best looking Hammer Horror film.
shareTwo of my very favourite Hammers, and a real tough choice. I think I have to give it to Brides. The vampire girls (especially the stunning Marie Devereux), the great fight in the mill, the quality of supporting cast, the way in which Van Helsing finally dispatches Meinster, and Cushing and Peel balancing each other so very well as adversaries.
Sad to think that every single featured cast member has now passed.