Year of Release: 1958
Director: Terence Fisher
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster, based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker
Starring: Peter Cushing, Michael Gough, Melissa Stribling, Christopher Lee
Running Time: 82 minutes
Genre: Horror
In 1885, Doctor Van Helsing (Cushing) investigates the disappearance of his friend Jonathan Harker (John Van Eyssen), vampire hunter, at the Castle Dracula. Van Helsing soon realises that Harker has fallen victim to the evil vampire Dracula (Lee) who has now set his sights on Harker's friends and family.
Produced by the now legendary Hammer Films, this is probably the highpoint of what is known as "Hammer Horror". It features the Hammer hallmarks of lavish production values (despite a low budget), classically trained actors, stories based on legendary horror tales, and most importantly all the blood and heaving bosoms that the 1950s censors would allow, photographed in vivid colour. Christopher Lee turned in a star making performance as Dracula. Lee made Dracula sexy and physical, moving from suave sophistication to demoniac monster. Peter Cushing complements him as the rational but compassionate Van Helsing. The film suffers from a low budget and some obvious day-for-night shooting, as well as an indeterminate sense of place where, despite being set in Eastern Europe, everyone seems to be English, but the qualities far outweigh the negatives. Lee and Cushing became horror icons with this film. Right from the opening images of Dracula's tomb spattered with blood this is empty of any inessentials. This is a full blooded horror, which brought blood, fangs and sex to the vampire film.
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