DRACULA 3: LEGACY

US, 2005, 86 minutes. Colour.
Jason Scott Lee, Stephen Billington, Diane Neal, Jason London,
Rutger Hauer, Roy Scheider, Alexandra Westcourt.
Directed by Patrick Lussier.

The two Dracula sequels (Ascension and Legacy) were actually filmed together and then split by the director. In the first film, a continuation from Dracula 2000 (though with a different cast and only briefly referencing the fact that Dracula was Judas Iscariot), the action takes place in Louisiana. With the second film, there is a transition to Berlin and then to travelling through Romania.

The film introduces a quotation from Cardinal Sequeri (Roy Scheider) about the nature of vampires and their presence in the world. We are also introduced to a vampire hunter, Father Uffizi (played by Jason Scott Lee). The film opens with his pursuit of the Twins of Evil and his conquering them, though he is also bitten and has to undergo rigorous physical reactions, exposure to the sun, penitential whippings in order to maintain his humanity. In the meantime we are introduced to some university students and their crippled lecturer, played by Craig Sheffer. As the film proceeds, with the group wanting to get vampire blood in order to analyse it, the professor intends to have it for himself so that he will recover his limbs and have immortality. He is at first betrayed by one of his students who takes the blood, but he is killed in the chase by Father Uffizi. The student who works in the morgue, Jason London, is devoted to another student, Elizabeth (Diane Neal) who is infatuated with the professor. She too becomes infected.

With the pursuit of the Dracula character, and his imprisonment (played by
Stephen Billington) there is a flashback once again to the crucifixion of Jesus, and the role of Judas who then becomes Dracula. The film builds up to a climax with the confrontation with the professor and his death.

The second film opens in Berlin with Father Uffizi, having been dismissed from the priesthood by the cardinal because of his unwillingness to obey orders, he meets up with a British journalist, played by Alexandra Westcourt. As they travel through Romania, war-torn, they are in pursuit of Dracula. This time he is portrayed by Rutger Hauer. He also has Elizabeth in his entourage. Luke is also present, helping Father Uffizi.

After a set of adventures, clashes, threats, the death of Dracula, Elizabeth and her sacrificing herself for Luke – the film ends with a restoration of some kind of order.

The films were directed by Patrick Lussier, who was the editor for Wes Craven thrillers, including some of the Scream series.


1. The continuation of the other films? The logical developments? The character developments? The transition to Europe?

2. Berlin, the train, the Romanian settings, the devastation? The build-up to the castle, the interiors? The visit to the cardinal in Italy? The musical score?

3. The title, the irony of the title? The nature of Dracula’s legacy?

4. The focus on Father Uffizi, his visit to the cardinal, his being considered disobedient, his penitential behaviour, his leaving the priesthood? Yet still relying on the background of the priesthood? His going to Europe, his encounter with Julia? The working together, the relationship?

5. Dracula, played by Rutger Hauer, in Romania, the flashbacks to the former Dracula? In Romania, his powers, the confrontations, the fight and his death?

6. The cardinal, in retirement, the confrontation with Uffizi, his withdrawing his support?

7. Julia, her background, journalist? Encountering Uffizi? Their travelling together, the Dracula story, the dangers? The threats to her?

8. Elizabeth, as a vampire, with Dracula? Finding Luke again? The death – and her love for Luke?

9. Luke, his work with the group in the second film, his supporting Father Uffizi, travelling with him, the search, his help with Dracula, encountering Elizabeth, willing to give his life? Elizabeth’s death?

10. The familiar confrontations with vampires? The means to destroy them? Father Uffizi, his having been scratched, the nature of his blood? His confrontation with Dracula, with Elizabeth?

11. Audiences enjoying the trilogy of Dracula films – a particular perspective on the legends? Dracula into the 21st century?