Director of photography Michael Reed is no Jack Asher (Horror of Dracula), but to watch his work for Dracula Prince Of Darkness in its original detailed 1:2,35 cinemascope format is delightful nonetheless!
"When there is no more room in the oven,
the Bread will walk the earth."
Interesting you should say that, because all throughout the commentary track the actors frequently make mention of the cinematography and lighting. I particularly enjoyed the moment where the one actress, commenting wrily on the on-screen action says, "Come -come see how beautifully Michael's lit me."
"If you don't know the answer -change the question."
Michael Reed is much much better than Asher. Just look at the first Dracula and this one and tell me which cinematography is more moody, colorful, painting-like. M.Reed is a wonderful cinematographer and IMHO he's one of the greatest ever. J.Asher was not never so rich in texture and details. His colors were sort of instable whereas Reed had the sense for the contrast that enabled him put the smallest details in focus. Maybe the storytelling is not good in this film like in the 1st one but you can't deny that this is probably the best lit Dracula film ever made.
shareYeah, this is a movie that suffers when it's panned-and-scanned. Best to see it on the big movie screen or at least on a letterboxed DVD.
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