The only two of Hammer's 'Dracula' films I've yet to see are 'Scars of Dracula' and 'Dracula Has Risen From the Grave' (although I'm about to check out 'Scars...' in just a minute), but I really loved this one. It's the best one I've seen so far.
'Horror of Dracula' had some good stuff, Peter Cushing and Lee were both great, but it's like non-stop exposition with Cushing constantly explaining everything and everyone around him underreacting to what he says. 'Dracula: Prince of Darkness' was more raw and atmospheric, and definately creepier.
'Taste The Blood of Dracula', with the exception of his death at the beginning (which I'm assuming was the end of 'Risen From the Grave) and that hilarious retarded guy trying to grab the snow globe, was almost unbearably dull. 'Dracula A.D., 1972' was kind of a fun film, but not the least bit creepy. 'Satanic Rites' was a little better... my second favorite of the series. But hopefully 'Scars of Dracula' will be as good, or somewhere in the same vicinity, as 'Dracula: Prince of Darkness'. I'll see in a moment... I wish I could watch 'Risen From the Grave' first, though. I wanna see how he gets resurrected from the ice... It sucks seeing them out of order.
"Be dead... Gopher, you BE DEAD!"
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burbs82
16 years ago
Meh, I watched 'Scars of Dracula' and it's nowhere near as good as 'Dracula - Prince of Darkness'.
"Be dead... Gopher, you BE DEAD!"
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TorontoJediMaster
16 years ago
Scars of Dracula was good, if for no other reason, than it had Christopher Lee actually participating in the storyline. He had more dialogue in that film than about any other, save Horror of Dracula.
Horror of Dracula was the best, followed by Dracula Has Risen from the Grave. Dracula: Prince of Darkness definitely had its merits, but suffered from the fact that Lee was made very one-dimensional in the role. The lack of dialogue hurt the film badly.
However, the scenes in the castle were most creepy -especially where Alan is exploring alone. This was the first Hammer Dracula film I ever saw, when I was ten years old, and I found it suitably creepy.
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burbs82
16 years ago
I watched 'Dracula Has Risen From The Grave' and it was excellent, but I still think 'Prince of Darkness' is the best. Although it definately relegates Dracula to a one-dimensional character, I don't really see this as a bad thing. I think Christopher Lee's a great actor, but somehow he was scarier to me here without dialogue. This film just really draws on atmosphere, like 'Nosferatu'.
Lee's performances in 'Horror of Dracula' and 'Dracula Has Risen From the Grave' were great though, but 'Scars of Dracula' and 'Taste the Blood of Dracula' were the major low points in this series for me. I rate the series from best to worst as follows;
1. Dracula: Prince of Darkness
2. The Satanic Rites of Dracula
3. Horror of Dracula
4. Dracula Has Risen From The Grave
5. Dracula A.D. 1972
6. Scars of Dracula
7. Taste the Blood of Dracula
The first five are all good, but 'Scars' and 'Taste The Blood' were awful... I still haven't seen 'Brides of Dracula' (though I do own it in the 'Hammer Horror Series' DVD set) or 'Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires'... I guess they're technically part of the series as well. My DVD player broke so I can't watch 'Brides'... bummer.
"Be dead... Gopher, you BE DEAD!"
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TorontoJediMaster
15 years ago
I think the worst of the series, that I've seen so far, was Dracula A.D. 1972. I haven't seen The Satanic Rites of Dracula in its entirety thus far. Dracula A.D. 1972 is so dated now, it's simply laughable. The idea of these swinging "rebels" in 1970's London almost plays like a comedy. As well, Lee was given nothing to do. He had to have all his victims brought to him. Plus, what was the point of moving him into modern times? He never left the ruined church he was using as his hideout, so we never get to see his reaction to the 20th century.
Dracula: Prince of Darkness, at least had atmospheric sets, good production values and some truly creepy scenes. I think the downside was how the title character himself was given relatively little to do and had no depth to him at all. Without dialogue, we're left to just see Deacula as a predator who has to take a victim by surprise, rather than any real attempt at seduction.
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ElectricWarlock
10 years ago
Dracula A.D. 1972 is so dated now, it's simply laughable.
Yes, but I think the fact that it's dated adds to the charm and makes it that much more fun to watch. For me, movies that are dated are the best ones because they make you feel like you're in that place and time. I don't ever want to feel like it's 2014 while watching a movie from the past so calling a movie dated is the best compliment you can give for me. It isn't like any of the other Dracula movies so as a sequel it could be a lot better. But as a standalone film, it is wildly entertaining and a blast to watch.
For me, the best sequel out of the bunch is a tie between Dracula Has Risen From His Grave and Scars of Dracula. I would put Prince of Darkness somewhere in the middle. Not the best of the series but not the worst either.
Death lives in the Vault of Horror!
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gema6
10 years ago
I think we must be in the minority, but I too enjoy old movies for the feel of the times in which they were made. I am not just watching the movie, I am also looking at the sets to see how they put the furnishings together.
I love the atmospheric woods and looming castle, as well as the lush furnishings of this movie.
Not that I don't like "Dark Shadows", as that camp is wonderful. However, there was definitely a 70s feel to the sets and costumes that was a bit out of place. But that too was a product of it's times...I like the big hairstyles and the clothing that is supposed to be period, but is not.
If I am watching, say, "The Thin Man" series, I am following the story, but also looking at the architecture and the furnishings and the clothing, and the cars. There are some things that just can't be gotten in this modern world.
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vestdennis
10 years ago
Dracula A.D. 1972 & Scars of Dracula are both silly compared to the three original Dracula movies that starred Lee. The OP is certainly in the minority...
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