DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS

UK, 1966, 90 minutes, Colour.
Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Andrew Keir, Francis Matthews, Susan Farmer, Charles Tingwell, Thorley Walter, Philip Latham, George Woodbridge.
Directed by Terence Fisher.

Hammer Studios revived the Dracula films after a quarter of a century from the original American film, Dracula based on Bram Stoker’s novel, directed by Todd Browning with Bela Lugosi as the count. (There had been a German version, Nosferatu, 1922, but the Bram Stoker estate would not allow reference to be made to his name.)

The first film was directed by Terence Fisher, a veteran of horror films who was also to direct Brides of Dracula as well as a number of the Frankenstein films of the 1960s. Christopher Lee is once again Count Dracula – though he has limited appearances in this film. Rather the focus is on four travellers in his castle whom he persecutes and the confrontation of Dracula by a priest, played by Andrew Keir. The Kent family are persecuted – and are portrayed by Barbara Shelley, Francis Matthews and Charles Tingwell (who had made an impact in British television and in the Miss Marple films). Thorley Walters as Ludwig – eating flies, is reminiscent of Renfield.

The film has atmosphere, has very little to do with Bram Stoker’s novel – but is an interesting addition to the many films, especially from Hammer Studios, about Dracula.

1. Hammer studios and the Dracula series? The presence of Christopher Lee as the screen embodiment of Dracula – and his limited appearances in this film?

2. Dracula’s castle, the guests, the priest? Their personalities and interactions? Fears? Persecuted by Dracula? The role of the priest?

3. The hero and heroine? Conventional? Introduction, situation, terrors they experience? The contrast with Alan and the significance of his death for Dracula? Helen and her becoming a vampire?

4. The character of Klove and his role for Dracula?

5. Father Sandor and the religious significance of the pursuit of Dracula?

6. The particular variations on the vampire theme, the blood for Dracula’s resuscitation, his death by running water?

7. The impression that this kind of film makes? In terms of myth, suspense?