There were quite a few Hammer Dracula films made from the late 1950s well into the 1970s. Most of them were very good, though a few seemed like "the same old same old"--nothing particularly new or innovative. Fortunately, this one offered some unique aspects--making it well worth a look.
The film begins in the town near Dracula's castle. While the evil monster is indeed dead, the town is in dread--sure that somehow the old vampire will return. Based on the many, many times he DID return in the films (despite being clearly destroyed at the end of each film), perhaps the townspeople weren't so dumb after all! However, the Monsignor arrives in town and castigates the local priest for allowing the town to remain in dread and takes the less than willing priest to the castle to perform the exorcism rite and put an end to Dracula forever. But, of course, on the way, the monster is unleashed in one of the more unusual reincarnations of Dracula. Sadly, while this was VERY creative, the camera man and director didn't notice that you can clearly see Dracula's reflection in a pool of water--and we all know that according to every other Hammer vampire film that the beasts can't cast a reflection.
Now here's the really unique part. When Dracula returns to his castle, he sees that the doors have been sealed shut with a giant crucifix and he cannot enter his castle. So, he spends most of the rest of the film seeking out the Monsignor and destroying him as well as his family.
The film features all the usual sets, acting and action. However, Christopher Lee is given almost no lines in the film, though you do see him quite a bit. Additionally, it's one of the few monster films from Hammer that has a real honest-to-goodness sequel that picks up exactly where this one left off in the follow-up films "Taste the Blood of Dracula". Good stuff and a worthy addition to the franchise.
The film begins in the town near Dracula's castle. While the evil monster is indeed dead, the town is in dread--sure that somehow the old vampire will return. Based on the many, many times he DID return in the films (despite being clearly destroyed at the end of each film), perhaps the townspeople weren't so dumb after all! However, the Monsignor arrives in town and castigates the local priest for allowing the town to remain in dread and takes the less than willing priest to the castle to perform the exorcism rite and put an end to Dracula forever. But, of course, on the way, the monster is unleashed in one of the more unusual reincarnations of Dracula. Sadly, while this was VERY creative, the camera man and director didn't notice that you can clearly see Dracula's reflection in a pool of water--and we all know that according to every other Hammer vampire film that the beasts can't cast a reflection.
Now here's the really unique part. When Dracula returns to his castle, he sees that the doors have been sealed shut with a giant crucifix and he cannot enter his castle. So, he spends most of the rest of the film seeking out the Monsignor and destroying him as well as his family.
The film features all the usual sets, acting and action. However, Christopher Lee is given almost no lines in the film, though you do see him quite a bit. Additionally, it's one of the few monster films from Hammer that has a real honest-to-goodness sequel that picks up exactly where this one left off in the follow-up films "Taste the Blood of Dracula". Good stuff and a worthy addition to the franchise.