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Dracula, Prince of Darkness

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81% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Four tourists dine and spend the night at Dracula's (Christopher Lee) castle; two escape and warn a monk (Andrew Keir).
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Dracula, Prince of Darkness

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Critics Consensus

Never veering too far from the usual Hammer trappings, Dracula, Prince of Darkness casts an effectively vicious vampire yarn with its chilling atmosphere and spirited cast of characters.

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Critics Reviews

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William Thomas Empire Magazine 03/01/2012
3/5
Once Dracula is up and about, the script can't find much for him to do, but there are spirited performances from Shelley, as an uptight bourgeois who becomes a sensual vampire hoyden, and Kier, as a gun-toting monk who fills in for Van Helsing. Go to Full Review
Variety Staff Variety 03/26/2009
The thrills do not arise sufficiently smooth out of atmosphere. Go to Full Review
David Pirie Time Out 01/26/2006
Full of the sensual mysteriousness which Hammer used to achieve so effortlessly during their long occupation of Bray Studios. Go to Full Review
David Hogan hoganreviews.co.uk 10/25/2021
3/5
If all your after is a cliché B horror movie then at least the movie is a good example as it's an entertaining 80-odd minutes, just not one that's worth shouting about... Go to Full Review
Kyle Anderson Nerdist 06/19/2019
While not the best in Hammer's repertoire, Dracula: Prince of Darkness is perhaps the perfect Hammer Horror film, which signaled Lee's return to his most iconic role, had some terrific performances, and lived and died by some excellent direction. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 01/21/2019
3/4
It's an effective bit of Hammer horror, boasting the expected atmospherics, period trappings, literary conceits and, yes, buxom beauties. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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DanTheMan 2 10/09/2023 For what Prince of Darkness lacks in Peter Cushing, it makes up for in sheer style and simplicity. In what is Terence Fisher's final film for the titular Count, he really goes all out, even with such a tight production. It greatly benefits from the photography of Michael Reed who utilises the cold setting to a chilling degree with the bright, harsh contrasting red blood oozing and spurting onto the magnificent sets and atmospheric locations. The rebirth of Dracula sequence really left me with a shiver down my spine. The performances from its cast are exceptional, mainly from Francis Matthews killing it as a leading man for once and Andrew Keir, even if Lee's return to the iconic role is somewhat squandered by his lack of anything to do. He has an awe-inspiring presence with his complete absence of dialogue only adding to the mysterious and hypnotic portrayal of the character. Prince of Darkness may not be the best in Hammer's repertoire, but it perfectly captures that classic Hammer Horror atmosphere with its chilling terror. See more Alexandra 07/02/2023 I actually enjoyed this sequel much more than its predecessor. What makes this movie unique is that its characters are completely original and it doesn't mess around with the original Bram Stoker's characters in any way. Well, maybe this movie gives Dracula his own story, but that's to be expected for a sequel. I did not like the first movie at all, but this one was excellent! See more B P @Bradster69 03/01/2023 While it may not be Lee's finest hour as the legendary Count Dracula, this sequel works well as a continuation of the first film and it presents the vampire as more of a wild creature than ever before. See more Ben T 02/19/2022 The third in Hammer's ‘Dracula' series is one of the best in Hammer's history. Christopher Lee is again superb in the role despite not speaking a single line. Barbara Shelley is also good as Dracula's love interest. The scene in which Dracula is resurrected is a gruesome highlight of the film. Christopher Lee plays Dracula for the second time. Brides of Dracula (the second of Hammer's Dracula films), never featured Lee or even Dracula. See more Dave S 10/23/2021 There comes a time in the life of every movie fan when it becomes apparent that all Dracula movies are virtually the same, especially those made by Hammer back in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Dracula, Prince of Darkness certainly makes an effort to conform to the formula. After a decade of dormancy, the Count (Christopher Lee) rises from his slumber when four British tourists appear in his dusty castle. Not surprisingly, bloody mayhem ensues until the inevitable confrontation that send Dracula back to where he belongs. Director Terence Fisher, a mainstay at Hammer, does a decent job establishing the requisite creepy atmosphere, but you just get the feeling that you've seen it all before. And that's because you have. See more 10/11/2016 While it's not the greatest Hammer Dracula movie, it's a very accessible and fun entry. Absent in the last film, Christopher Lee is back and brings everything we expect of him. The sets, costumes, and directing are all top notch. The highlight of the film is the bloody resurrection scene. See more Read all reviews
Dracula, Prince of Darkness

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Movie Info

Synopsis Four tourists dine and spend the night at Dracula's (Christopher Lee) castle; two escape and warn a monk (Andrew Keir).
Director
Terence Fisher
Distributor
Twentieth Century Fox
Production Co
Seven Arts Productions, Hammer Film Productions Limited
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 12, 1966, Original
Runtime
1h 30m