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Horror of Dracula

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89% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
On a search for his missing friend Jonathan Harker (John Van Eyssen), vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) is led to Count Dracula's (Christopher Lee) castle. Upon arriving, Van Helsing finds an undead Harker in Dracula's crypt and discovers that the count's next target is Harker's ailing fiancée, Lucy Holmwood (Carol Marsh). With the help of her brother, Arthur (Michael Gough), Van Helsing struggles to protect Lucy and put an end to Count Dracula's parasitic reign of terror.
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Horror of Dracula

Horror of Dracula

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Critics Consensus

Trading gore for grandeur, Horror of Dracula marks an impressive turn for inveterate Christopher Lee as the titular vampire, and a typical Hammer mood that makes aristocracy quite sexy.

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Critics Reviews

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Dorothy Masters New York Daily News 09/16/2021
3/4
Unlike most of Hollywood's quickies, Horror of Dracula has allocated time, thought and talent to an enterprise which successfully recaptures the aura and patina of yesteryear's Middle Europe. Some of the photography is good enough to frame. Go to Full Review Times (UK) Staff The Times (UK) 07/31/2020
Altogether this is a horrific film, and sometimes a crude film. but by no means an unimpressive piece of melodramatic story-telling. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian 10/09/2012
3/5
This Hammer classic will be good for a laugh, and some shivers. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 11/08/2024
5/10
The potential of Hammer’s involvement and reimagining of the immortal horror masterpiece provides only moderately greater gore; worthwhile modifications and the excitement or suspense that might come from it are exceptionally limited. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 10/15/2022
This is the first film to really mine the erotic appeal of vampires: Dracula seduces Mina and Lucy like a devil tempting good to the dark side through sex, more suggestive than explicit but daring for 1958. Go to Full Review David Hogan hoganreviews.co.uk 10/23/2021
5/5
The Hammer Dracula is every bit the classic now as it was back in the 50s and is still the version I mentally refer back to when I see a reference to the classic tale. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Johnathon W @Hoppynsc Feb 12 Solid adaptation of the horror classic, thanks to some superb lead performances and some interesting twists to the story. The main appeal are the two leads: Christopher Lee as Dracula & Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, who play of each other brilliantly, as usual. Behind the camera, director Terence Fischer delivers a fun and more brutal take on Dracula (you actually see blood dripping from his fangs here) while there are some fun twists from the original story. However, it is a bit brief, especially with Lee's limited screen time but overall, one of the better Dracula adaptations and a standout for Hammer Films. See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Nov 1 Without the need of proportionated artistry to dramatize in extending the inner disturbance, this is arguably one of the best vampire films, if not perched on top, amongst its genetic adaptations that actually deviate impressively, and performatively heightened by both Cushing’s instinctual deliverance and Lee’s casually malicious haunt. (B+) See more Stephen C @bob25009 Oct 30 Success in 1 hour and 22 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Isaiah Y @zayman2 Oct 23 One of the best Dracula films See more STEVEN M @RT95376924 Sep 21 Christopher Lee totally has the goods on being Dracula, the undisputed King of the vampires! See more Dallas H @RT53171010 08/18/2025 Hammer Films doing the Universal Monsters in bloody Technicolor is always fun to watch! See more Read all reviews
Horror of Dracula

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Cast & Crew

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Terence Fisher

Director

Peter Cushing

Doctor Van Helsing

Christopher Lee

Count Dracula

Michael Gough

Arthur

Melissa Stribling

Mina Holmwood

Carol Marsh

Lucy Holmwood

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Horror of Dracula

Horror of Dracula (1958) Horror of Dracula (1958) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis On a search for his missing friend Jonathan Harker (John Van Eyssen), vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) is led to Count Dracula's (Christopher Lee) castle. Upon arriving, Van Helsing finds an undead Harker in Dracula's crypt and discovers that the count's next target is Harker's ailing fiancée, Lucy Holmwood (Carol Marsh). With the help of her brother, Arthur (Michael Gough), Van Helsing struggles to protect Lucy and put an end to Count Dracula's parasitic reign of terror.
Director
Terence Fisher
Producer
Anthony Hinds
Screenwriter
Jimmy Sangster
Production Co
Hammer Films, Universal/Universal Int
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 8, 1958, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 18, 2010
Runtime
1h 22m
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