This movie had such an effect on me when I first saw it on tv as a kid. For some reason I just thought that was the most exciting scene ever when Peter Cushing breaks away from Dracula, runs down the length of the table in the great hall and leaps for the curtain. As an adult I've just come to appreciate how magnificently written and directed that scene was. It is a real visual treat.
shareThose last 15 minutes have no significant dialogue at all!
shareThe running along the table, jumping at the window, tearing the curtain down and using the candle sticks were all Peter Cushing's idea apparently.
"I don't need to fight to prove I'm right. I don't need to be forgiven."
Yes, I've read the same thing. Apparently the script merely read "Van Helsing breaks away and pulls the curtain down" -- so Cushing suggested he do what he did -- with no stunt double I might add.
Those were the days!
Peter Cushing used a double when he ran up the table and leapt onto the curtains.
I believe it was Cushing's idea to use two candlesticks to form a cross instead of just producing a crucifix out of his pocket.
Yeah...Dracula had the best death in that film....the effect of Dracula turning to dust was also a very good effect for the late 50's.....It's a true representation of how good Hammer Horror films were in the late 50's and early 60's
shareWow! Peter Cushing was so amazing when he leaped for the curtains! I don't know how he didn't break his leg with a jump like that. It was breathtaking!
shareCan't agree more and it's influenced so many great film makers. Chris Columbus and Joe Dante based the climax of Gremlins on it. Also Chris Columbus based the disintegration of Valdemort in the first Harry Potter film on it. He called over his wardrobe lady Rosemary Burrows (who was a regular at Hammer and worked on Dracula) and asked her to explain to the bemused SPFX guys, who couldn't understand what he meant when he said he wanted Valdemort to disintegrate like Christopher Lee in Dracula! In fact talking about Columbus on that film half way through he went running up to Rosemary and said, 'You're Rosemary Burrows!' 'Yes', she said confused. 'No - you're Rosemary Burrows from Hammer films!' Just proves the effect Hammer had on these guys. Rosemary also had a surprise when she worked on Gladiator when Olly Reed recognised her and charged up to her to give her a big hug. The Hammer legacy goes on and on - and the fantastic climax of Dracula is testament to this.
shareAwesome ending to an awesome film, no-one can deny Hammer's impact on film making.
shareYeah I agree what a fantastic way to end this movie.
shareI do feel that this was one of the best Dracula movies ever made, but I always felt the climax battle at the end felt a little rushed. Maybe the newly restored version has a bit more of the "final battle".
shareIn total agreement as to how excellent the ending of this film is. One must also give kudos to James Bernard's pulse-quickening and relentless musical score during these scenes. The beauty is in the details: the run across the table..the pulling down of the heavy drapes allowing the sunlight to stream in. Unlike Universal's sunlit demises of Dracula, the vampire's death does come without a fight. Chris Lee's attempt to slink to the shadows away from the light is met by Cushing's candlestick cross forcing him further into the sun's rays. This Dracula does not simply lie there and become a skeleton..this Dracula is in pain as he slowly crumbles away, with a futile attempt at using his hand to cover his face. One can imagine for those raised on the Univeral films of the 30's and 40's how different and unique (& exciting!)the finale must have seemed. This is a GREAT Dracula movie and it still holds up well even today.
shareHe did injure his leg. Check him out in The Mummy. He has a serious limb from the effects of not using s stunt double in that movie
share'50s and '60s I bet was your intent. See how the tick mark is replacing the "19"?
shareThe film is nice, but the ending, sorry to say, for me it was somewhat fake.
shareFrom all the exciting endings made to Dracula films this is the best, even better than the one is Frank Langella version, which was rather imaginative as well.
I don't care if you're a vampire, you're still English. Have some manners.
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