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Horror of Dracula

Play trailer Poster for Horror of Dracula Released May 8, 1958 1h 22m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
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 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. Rated: 3/4 Sep 16, 2021 Full Review Times (UK) Staff Times (UK) Altogether this is a horrific film, and sometimes a crude film. but by no means an unimpressive piece of melodramatic story-telling. Jul 31, 2020 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian This Hammer classic will be good for a laugh, and some shivers. Rated: 3/5 Oct 9, 2012 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 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. Rated: 5/10 Nov 8, 2024 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 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. Oct 15, 2022 Full Review David Hogan hoganreviews.co.uk 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. Rated: 5/5 Oct 23, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tim S When Jonathan Harker ( John Van Essen ) arrives to undertake a job for Count Dracula he is already aware that Dracula is in fact a vampire. For any Horror film fan the narrative changes seem rather strange but on reflection they help to pace the movie so well that the audience is totally engaged throughout. The watering down somewhat of the original story makes “Dracula” easy to follow and with the the brilliant performances from Christopher Lee as the Count and Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, director Terrence Fisher managed to create one of Hammer Films most successful movies. That’s not to say that “Dracula” is in any way a poorer representation of the famous vampire tale, instead “Dracula” is just a different take on the classic well known story. With Christopher Lee bringing far more sexual tension to the role of Count Dracula than Bela Lugosi or his predecessors and Peter Cushing’s energetic performance of Count Dracula’s  adversary the action never slows. Fisher brings some light comic relief to the dark proceedings but with the use of Technicolor and some really good effects the chill factor is never really eased.  The magnificent gothic sets and for 1958 the use of some quiet horrific special effects, work to make “Dracula” a real visual treat. Definitely a pure horror classic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/25/24 Full Review Dave C As ‘Dracula’ (UK). Considered one of the foremost movie adaptations of them all, Hammer holds dear the source material, and ensures the movie is directed accordingly. Whilst doing so, both behind the camera and in front of it, all involved deliver something dramatic, serious, and entertaining Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/20/24 Full Review Eddy C I love the Universal Bela Lugosi move, its my favorite of any Dracula movie. But this one........LOVED IT. Hammer nail this and all of their 50s to 60s movies were superb. Lee is Dracula here and earns the role, Cushing is the perfect Van Helsing. The lighting, atmosphere, set design are perfect and the movie moves along with superb pacing. Not entirely faithful to the novel, but it is irrelevant as this movie is awesome. Lee would also go on to make some great sequels. Hammer were at the top of their game here. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/30/24 Full Review Audience Member Most underrated Dracula movie out there Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/24 Full Review babarizam D I had problems watching this movie because of the dialogues of Christopher Lee, his delivery looks a lot like typical Englishman and he seems to be hurry when walking. The other portrayels for example 1922 and 1931 even 1992 and 1979, Dracula was mysterious and that was fascinating part about it. Even when reading book, one can feel the mystery as he is present when he is not. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review Ryan The best of the Hammer Horror films. Iconic. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/13/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Horror of Dracula

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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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