I apologize for the editing problems with this one. I had a lot of trouble with this project, and with my computer in general. The good news is I’m getting a new and much improved computer this week, so hopefully there will be many improvements in the future!
No worries! Thanks for the content! I just watched my first hammer film (and first Dracula movie?) based on your recommendation. "Dracula has risen from the grave"! Looking forward to what else is in store in this series.
Hi what a lot of folks do not pay attention to is the foreboding wind that howls inside the castle. You may have to turn sound up or use headphones to really notice it good. It is the creepy howling winds that get looked over. Great sound effect. People seem to ignore.
Good point. And I can tell you from professional film and television experience that 'sound' is the one aspect in which the most frequent technical problems tend to arise during shooting.
Great review. As a grade schooler, I only saw this movie on tv repeats, with much of the violence cut out. When I viewed the unedited film in the 1990's, I was actually disturbed by the blood ritual to resurrect Dracula, not expecting anything like that to be depicted on screen. I still enjoy the movie a great deal, especially because I like the cast, nearly all of whom made guest appearances on The Avengers television series back then - including Christopher Lee, who shows up in a Diana Rigg episode & then again (different character) in a Tara King episode. It's fun to see actors you're comfortable with, & British tv/film productions had a very reliable pool of talent, always entertaining!
The very first Hammer Horror movie i saw aged 8 at my grandmothers house on VHS back in the early 90s. The next day (sat am) i went into town with my dad and he bought me a hole heap of Hammer Horror VHS tapes such was the impact of this movie on me, one of the best vampire movies ever made.
I got to see this on a Saturday double-feature with "Plague of the Zombies" back in the 60s when I was a kid. The theater was packed with other rowdy kids having a great, spooky time. On our way in, the boys were given cardboard vampire fangs and the girls were given cardboard zombie-eye glasses.
6:45 in answer to question whether Father Sandor is a priest or a monk, the answer would be a priest. Catholic monks usually live/stay in a monastery while Catholic priests and friars live among the people. And since his title is Father, that would also indicate that he was ordained a priest rather than just being a friar with the title Brother. Not that Hammer was probably too concerned with those details, but hopefully it'll be helpful trivia information for the future lol.
P.S.- I've not actually watched this Dracula movie so did not realize until later in the movie that Father Sandor brings the characters to a monastery, so I can see the confusion. Again, I don't think Hammer was really concerned about the accuracy details lol.
This was the first Hammer Dracula movie I saw as a kid. I had this one , Risen from the grave, taste the blood, and brides recorded on a VHS tape. Good times.
I love Hammer and recently found your channel while doing some research for Van Helsing: Magazine of the Supernatural. And now I love your channel. I'll be watching Prince of Darkness later. This is a great primer.
The running water thing was used in the Val Lewton film "Isle of the Dead", which used the old custom that people would take bodies suspected of being vampires to a remote island and leave them there, with them being unable to cross the water to escape the island. Basically creating a vampire penal colony.
I was lucky enough to be set up in the same room with Francis Matthews at a horror con many years ago. Very much the gentleman you'd expect him to be. He called my artwork, Brilliant! Best compliment I've ever gotten. This is my favorite Barbara Shelley role, I love how she is so over stuffy and prime then turns into a sexy vamp.
The checklist kind reminds me of Eddie Izzard’s bit about Dracula and horror movies. “ let’s go to Castle Dracula for no reason at all!” And the ever iconic, “They never listen to the music do they?”
This is the film that got me into vampire films. I was 6, it was 1986. To me, even now Christopher Lee is my Dracula, who i judge all other versions against, i love all 7 of the Hammer Dracula films he starred in.
Just as an extra detail about my experience. I remember it being on British tv on a Saturday night, i'm guessing November 1986. My family bought their first VHS machine on Halloween, and that same night Halloween 3 premiered in England. Dracula: Prince Of Darkness was on after it on the tape. For years as a kid i watched them together as a double bill.
Have you been to Black Park Country Park near Iver, just west of London? I was there the other week. You can still identify a number of locations in various scenes.
My second equal favorite Dracula (alongside Taste ), after Risen. I was up at Black Park Country Park the other week. You can still identify the spot where the woodcutter's little shack/where the coachman throws them off the coach was filmed. At the northeast end of the lake. The opening funeral procession was filmed at the southwest end of the lake. By the way, Charles Tingwell, who you didn't like, is well known to many fans of the charming Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple films, where he played Inspector Craddock in all four films. Cheers.
@@fredbergstrom4866I have a great book on all the Hammer locations and it pinpoints scenes from the films. It's indispensable for a trip to Black Park. Even without it though, you can still identify spots around the lake. Even though its changed in some ways, with the cafe at the southwest section, other things are very much the same. Cheers.
Ive visited black park a few times..and Oakley Court...it was great walking round with a hammer t.shirt on!!..people having picnics on the benches out in the clearing..not batting an eyelid 😂...goldeneye and goldfinger were also filmed there..its hammers iconic location. . Going back to never take sweets from a stranger..
Father Sandor is a brilliant character. He's not Van Helsing, and he's not trying to be. He's funny, folksy, and devout. I've heard that there are comic books about him. And yeah, father, I'm from northern MN you toast those buns! 10/10 fricheks
I would've loved to see more of Father Sandor. Like Michael Ripper who often played very interesting characters that didn't get much screen time. And the fact that Kier was only 39 makes the performance even more striking, I had to check his age a million times because I didn't believe it at first. He's great in "Quatermass And The Pit" too.
Hammer magazines had him in some comic adventures too. I would love to have seen more of him and Capt Kronos. They could have battled Count Karnstein or even Count Mitterhouse. All great one off characters.
Originally, Hammer planned to have a different 'Dracula' for every movie - basically having the spirit of Dracula wandering from body to body. That is why there was a different actor in Brides of Dracula. The American investors were complaining about that, though - they wanted Lee back. Because of that Hammer tried everything for the following movies to have Lee take up the role again (and they managed it right up to Satanic Rites, but Lee drew the line at Seven Golden Vampires and didn't appear in that one, although his stunt double did for a little while).
The best part of most Hammer Dracula movies is BEFORE Dracula appears. The writer and director are very good at generating suspense. After he shows up, he doesn't do much. In this movie, he killed, what, one person?
I just can't help but feel sorry for poor Helen in this movie. Nobody listened to her being the only sensible person in that whole creepy situation and it got her killed. I feel like she was the only one of the travellers who deserved to survive it. Barbara Shelly was a fantastic vampire though so that's the trade off. A pity we didn't see her getting captured, it feels a bit odd for her to just be captured off screen by some monks who don't even have dialogue or a name. Main thing bothering me is that Charles never owns up to his mistakes, he takes zero responsibility for getting his brother and sister in law killed.
John Bolton did some short comic strips for the magazine HAMMER HALLS OF HORROR that featured Father Sandor as the lead character. They are pretty great.
I used to think this movie was a bit substandard in the Hammer Dracula series but have come to love it and have watched it many times. The atmosphere and set-up is great with the two unwary vacationing couples falling into the Count's clutches, and it has two of my favourite Brit horror ladies Barbara Shelley and Suzan Farmer.
Great reviews & I agree with most of your comments. My two top favourite Dracula, films from hammer, are Dracula (Horror of Dracula in the USA) Bride's of Dracula even low Christopher Lee did not appear in this film. The reason why I like them is the atmosphere is superb in these two films due to the wonderful, brilliant Cinematography, of Jack Asher BSC he set the standard of Cinematography, that others tried to achieve, but failed.All the other Hammer Dracula's, are all good in their own way. When you consider the budget, was small, but in the UK they are the only film Production Company to receive The Queens award to industry. That is such a great achievement. When you consider that horror films today rely on CGI to create atmosphere & gore & with a budget into the millions today. Hammer Films will live. forever❤
Great video!!! Love Prince of Darkness!! It has one of, if not the best resurrection scene. I think Dracula not speaking actually works for the film. He's just been resurrected, so he's probably going to be animalistic. Lee didn't want to be typecasted as just a horror actor, so Hammer made a deal and gave him the role of Rasputin, which was shot back to back on the same set. Love how Lee just shrugs off Barbara Shelly. Dracula loves his blondes!! Love Hammer Horror! Your videos definitely give them justice! Coincidentally, I just received my NECA Hammer Dracula of Christopher Lee. Looks amazing, can't wait to get the Peter Cushing Van Helsing figure to go along with it! Keep up the great work!!
The key thing to note regarding this particular movie is that just prior to its release no one really expected Christopher Lee to ever reprise the role that first made him an international star. So there was a great deal of frenzied expectation in the air once his welcome return was publically announced. We tend to take sequels for granted nowadays, but in the mid-1960s it certainly was not. Aside from which, the Count had been reduced to dust and ash in the first film and in those days no one could truly imagine how Dracula could ever rise again from the grave? In the event, Philip Latham in the unexpected role of Clove almost stole the show right out from under the Count's nose. But then again, Latham was an experienced British professional thespian of the best classical acting credentials.
Your Trope Checklist is a nice touch to another excellent and entertaining review. Halloween II is my #1 horror comfort film and I also believe J. Sangster.
Christopher Lee's stunt double nearly drowned while filming the finale. Thankfully he didn't because it would be a bummer to die making an anti-climactic death scene. Overall this is a great gothic Dracula film, though Thorley Walters is sadly wasted playing Hammer's only attempt of the Renfield character.
That's how Bram Stoker wrote his female leads in the novel, Dracula. While they're human they're insipid, almost anaemic, but once they're vampires they are aggressive sex hungry flirts.
I loved dracula going into the ice at the end, its very well shot, I like the idea of winter... loved it as a kid... it made me more scared of water than jaws ever did , like literally the WATER kills you. . you think im taking a bath after watching that? lol
The running water crossing is mentioned in the Dracula novel. Most people probably know about it unless they have read the book. The bland brother was also in the movie, 'Where Eagles Dare'. He plays a double agent who gets killed towards the end of the movie.
He was also in all four Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple films as Inspector Craddock. And the start of the great Aussie film Malcolm, with Colin Friels.
The most shocking thing about this movie is that Andrew Keir (Father Sandor) was 39 years old when they filmed it! I'm 49 and hope I don't look like that in decades 😅To be honest Prince of Darkness is not one of my favorite Hammer Draculas, I think it has some pacing issues. I probably like Dracula Has Risen from the Grave the most.
I remember reading somewhere, maybe in David Pirie's Vampire Cinema, that this film has an "idiot plot" . To enjoy the story, you have to forget and forgive that the decisions made by the main protagonists are completely idiotic. "What are those screams coming from the cemetery at this time of night?" " You silly girl. Its probably nothing. You wait here alone. I'll go and check" I LOVE this film and just like you, my enjoyment grew after I accepted the "idiot plot" device. I note you ref the Halloween sequel etc... Absolutely. Great piece buddy. Subscribed.
Have to agree with you about Helen and Charles. They did have a bit of sibling energy. Plus, it would have made the death scene of Helen more powerful, especially if Charles had to be the one to stake her after her capture. A brother giving his sister peace, and it would have given more power for his desire destroy the Count in the end.
This may be my favorite Hammer Dracula. In Bram Stoker's novel, after the Jonathan Harker first act, for the rest of the novel Dracula never talks (in fact, he rarely even appears 'til the climax). He's an animated corpse, after all, what has he got to talk about? He needed to talk with Harker, but that's it.
My favourite Dracula film. Terrence Fisher directs the hell out of this one! Just absolutely entombed, pun intended, in atmosphere. I adore it. Now it does have weird pacing but nonetheless, Christopher Lee and Terrence make it for me.
Yes! I am so glad you mentioned it feeling like a slasher movie at the start. Because that's exactly how I thought of it when I watched it a few months ago. For me it just has that feel about it in the first act.
I like your take on Sangster vs Lee's account on whether there was ever any dialog for Dracula's character. It makes sense. I wonder if it'd be worth doing a deep dive to find out if either account could be backed up by others involved.
Most historians and Hammer experts seem to believe Sangster. From what I've read and opinions of Hammer fans it seems to be no dialogue was ever written. Lee played it like an animal so never needed it imo
In this film, the coach driver "who will go no further" drops them off only 2km short of their destination. I could never figure why they didn't go for choice #3 and just *walk* the last 2km. I mean, that's 1.2 miles. Literally a ten to fifteen minute walk and they're at the local inn having a drink before dinner.
The fact..yu do not see chris lee for 40mins..shows what an influential take...he took on the character itself..the resurrection scene with Philip latham and Charles Tingwell...are sublime hammer....bit of a classic..me thinks...iconic...hammergazz
I can't believe I am a bigger Hammer nerd than you are. The showing the ending scene of The Horror of Dracula at the beginning of Dracula: Prince of Darkness was to remind viewers what happened in the past film, but it was not the main reason it was added to the start of the film. Peter Cushing planned to act in Dracula: Prince of Darkness, but his wife, Helen, became sick with emphysema. Cushing did not want to leave her side, so he turned down the role. One problem with that is that Cushing had a leaky roof at the time. Cushing needed money to fix the roof. The film clip was long enough to be considered Peter Cushing was in the film. Cushing earned 686 pounds which was enough to fix his roof. The source is from A Life in Films: Peter Cushing by Peter Miller.
Thank you for showing Poe! So adorable! I like the reason you give for Dracula not speaking in this movie, that he's even less human in behavior because of being killed and resurrected. It makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, I do miss Lee's fantastic speaking voice. His hissing performance is very effectively menacing, though
Christopher Lee claimed that he was given lines to speak but they were so awful he refused to say them. It was something about Dracula having commanded nations, seeking revenge on humanity and more. Among his many abilities he was a competent mime artist, some of other film roles were non speaking.
It's fine...🤣 Great review! This is one I haven't seen and probably won't look for after watching your review. For me it doesnt look like it has rewatch potential. Loving this Dracula series!
Daniel watched a fantastic film recently. Night of the hunter .Robert mitchum..I would love love u to do one of your fantastic reviews on the movie ....I defo think it will be in your wheelhouse
I'm watching the Hammer movies for the first time, in order, started from Curse of Frankenstein. I just watched Dracula Prince of darkness for the first time and it was one of my least favorites so far, wich surprised me. It had a really strong first half, but the second half kinda dragged for me, altough i loved the priest character. My favorite i think is Brides of Dracula, mostly because of the excelent atmosphere. 💀
hey handsome.. loving this series your doing... hey maybe you cud do one on disney dark films . those late 70 early 80s ones in this kinda detail xxxxxxxxxx
I agree that the siblings should have been Helen and Charles. In a way they kind of remind me of a less funny Evie and Jonathan from the Brendan Fraser Mummy movies.
I've been watching tons of your videos and having fun with them. Your enthusiasm has made me want to reconsider a bit these Hammer films/vampire films, none of which I was very affected by when I saw them in the theater when they were first released. Vampires just never held any interest for me/never found them frightening in the lest (and I was really really out off by that opening theme from HORROR OF DRCULA, whichI found terribly ponderous and way overdone)....But I generally liked the look of these films from a setting standpoint, ie quaint at times, sumptuous at other times, and just really "classy" looking ias far as the castle interiors went. My one favorite vampire film I believe is one low on your list, KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, which I thought the most stylish, with some richly stunning decor, a lovely masquerade, and some very appealing set design. I found Don Sharp's direction (genereally) more interesting than Fisher's, somewhat more adventurous and more cinematic,. I found the ending of this film really disappointing, and quite a bad choice. Very anti-climactic I wish they'd found a way for a more spectacular (or eve ironic) death scene. (I don't know if you've ever read Matheson's I AM LEGEND, but the Robert Neville character DOES experiment with trying to stop the "vampires" haunting his property every night via running water...to no avail. This is where I first learned of this idea, and I think it had some potential in the Hammer films that were never fully explored) But I digress) Anyway, not to be too much of a downer, I very much DO enjoy your videos, even when they are about so many films that I find of no real interest (slasher films and those Amicus anthologies for instance---even though I knew Max Rosenberg quite well) . But your sheer enthusiasm has sparked my interest in looking at some of these films anew, if only to appreciate their decor and so many wonderful British actors (and vivid character parts: Michael Ripper is a favorite,maybe England's answer to our "Elisha Cook"s and "Dick Miller"s) I continue to look forward to and further enjoy your videos! I love to see younger people who are not stuck in a constant mind-set of cynicism, snark and insult, but who exhibit enthusiasm and the joy of film/entertainment instead. It is pretty infectious. Thanks for all your work on these videios! Happy Halloween too!
Great review. Agree with your assessment of the movie. I also find the ending a bit anti-climactic and Barbara Shelley is also my favorite Hammer movie actress. I love your t-shirt by the way. Scars of Dracula is my second favorite Hammer Dracula movie. While a step down in budget, Lee’s portrayal in that film is the most evil and sadistic of any other, in my opinion, and I love that. Really looking forward to the rest of your Hammer Dracula reviews!
You mentioned Charles and Diana and the Royal connection in your video, another interesting connection is that King Charles is a direct descendent of Vlad the impaler, also known as the real life Dracula 🧛🏻♂️
I noticed the Charles and Diana reference as well, of course this film was made fifteen years before THAT wedding so it must be coincidence. I don't know if it's of any importance but another Hammer film made about the same time carried a reference to something outside the narrative. In Plague of the Zombies the hero's surname was Forbes, while villain's surname was Hamilton. Fifteen years after these films were made there was a BBC sitcom called To The Manor Born, starring Penelope Keith. Forbes-Hamilton was her character's surname.
For some reason (maybe the editing errors on your old computer?), the sound goes out at the last 20 seconds of the video. Hope everything works out with your new computer (transferring everything over, authenticating credentials on various sites and services, etc). That aside, good review. I haven't seen this yet so I did spoil myself, but the film is also 60 years old so I guess it doesn't entirely matter, and I'll get to seeing this at some point anyway. The film certainly has some incredible elements to it (the resurrection being a stunning and brilliant move, the watery grave being a clever idea) even if it's in the shadow of Horror. The conflicting stories of Lee's dialog present an interesting debate, and although Sangster is probably right and there was nothing written (and it plays to this characterization better), it also reminds me of Cid Haig's issue with Galaxy of Terror, where he refused to speak more than a handful of lines in the film. Love the cat, he is so adorable, and looking forward to more Hammer reviews.
Hammer films are my favorites by far… but how about a more chronological system for these movies? How about one Frankenstein, one Dracula and one of the others like The Mummy, Curse of the Werewolf, The Devil rides out etc? Because after the next Dracula film the quality of the movies really go downhill for Dracula himself but there are a lot of great Hammer films you can also cover
Hey Daniel, any recommendations for someone trying to start a channel. I am a huge lover of horror and was a special effects person in training before I got hurt. Also might be a little older than you on here. Proud Gen X grew up with horror in the late 70s and 80s. And just kept on going. I hope to hear from you. I love your channel and Christopher Lee is who I grew up with as Dracula.
I apologize for the editing problems with this one. I had a lot of trouble with this project, and with my computer in general. The good news is I’m getting a new and much improved computer this week, so hopefully there will be many improvements in the future!
Seems great to me!
No worries! Thanks for the content!
I just watched my first hammer film (and first Dracula movie?) based on your recommendation. "Dracula has risen from the grave"!
Looking forward to what else is in store in this series.
@@corbinhubbard5887
The atmosphere in ,risen from the grave' is fantastic ❤
@@corbinhubbard5887 One of us! One of us! One of us!
Almost 40k 🎉
Hands down best analyst of vintage horror movies
Hammer horror movies are like a warm blanket in the winter....😊
I really like this one. Barbara Shelley really sells the creeping horror of Castle Dracula. Great review!
Hi what a lot of folks do not pay attention to is the foreboding wind that howls inside the castle. You may have to turn sound up or use headphones to really notice it good. It is the creepy howling winds that get looked over. Great sound effect. People seem to ignore.
Good point. And I can tell you from professional film and television experience that 'sound' is the one aspect in which the most frequent technical problems tend to arise during shooting.
Great review. As a grade schooler, I only saw this movie on tv repeats, with much of the violence cut out. When I viewed the unedited film in the 1990's, I was actually disturbed by the blood ritual to resurrect Dracula, not expecting anything like that to be depicted on screen. I still enjoy the movie a great deal, especially because I like the cast, nearly all of whom made guest appearances on The Avengers television series back then - including Christopher Lee, who shows up in a Diana Rigg episode & then again (different character) in a Tara King episode. It's fun to see actors you're comfortable with, & British tv/film productions had a very reliable pool of talent, always entertaining!
This is the one I want to see most!!
The very first Hammer Horror movie i saw aged 8 at my grandmothers house on VHS back in the early 90s. The next day (sat am) i went into town with my dad and he bought me a hole heap of Hammer Horror VHS tapes such was the impact of this movie on me, one of the best vampire movies ever made.
One of the most atmospheric in the series and Barbara Shellys favourite of her performances. Lee is of course stunning as Dracula
Andrew Keir is fantastic too. As good as Cushing was in the first one.
Barbara really gets to show her chops. From mouse to savage animal. No vampire ever fought harder to avoid destruction by the stake
She's so good. A very underrated actress.
I got to see this on a Saturday double-feature with "Plague of the Zombies" back in the 60s when I was a kid. The theater was packed with other rowdy kids having a great, spooky time. On our way in, the boys were given cardboard vampire fangs and the girls were given cardboard zombie-eye glasses.
6:45 in answer to question whether Father Sandor is a priest or a monk, the answer would be a priest. Catholic monks usually live/stay in a monastery while Catholic priests and friars live among the people. And since his title is Father, that would also indicate that he was ordained a priest rather than just being a friar with the title Brother.
Not that Hammer was probably too concerned with those details, but hopefully it'll be helpful trivia information for the future lol.
P.S.- I've not actually watched this Dracula movie so did not realize until later in the movie that Father Sandor brings the characters to a monastery, so I can see the confusion. Again, I don't think Hammer was really concerned about the accuracy details lol.
This was the first Hammer Dracula movie I saw as a kid. I had this one , Risen from the grave, taste the blood, and brides recorded on a VHS tape. Good times.
It must have been great seeing those films in the cinema on the big screen when they were originally released.
Man, this channel gets better and better nice work sir
I love Hammer and recently found your channel while doing some research for Van Helsing: Magazine of the Supernatural. And now I love your channel. I'll be watching Prince of Darkness later. This is a great primer.
The running water thing was used in the Val Lewton film "Isle of the Dead", which used the old custom that people would take bodies suspected of being vampires to a remote island and leave them there, with them being unable to cross the water to escape the island. Basically creating a vampire penal colony.
I was lucky enough to be set up in the same room with Francis Matthews at a horror con many years ago. Very much the gentleman you'd expect him to be. He called my artwork, Brilliant! Best compliment I've ever gotten. This is my favorite Barbara Shelley role, I love how she is so over stuffy and prime then turns into a sexy vamp.
Love all the Hammer Dracula films. But this one is one of the best. Two gorgeous leading ladies help. Plus some brutal scenes.
The checklist kind reminds me of Eddie Izzard’s bit about Dracula and horror movies. “ let’s go to Castle Dracula for no reason at all!”
And the ever iconic, “They never listen to the music do they?”
This is the film that got me into vampire films. I was 6, it was 1986. To me, even now Christopher Lee is my Dracula, who i judge all other versions against, i love all 7 of the Hammer Dracula films he starred in.
Just as an extra detail about my experience. I remember it being on British tv on a Saturday night, i'm guessing November 1986. My family bought their first VHS machine on Halloween, and that same night Halloween 3 premiered in England. Dracula: Prince Of Darkness was on after it on the tape. For years as a kid i watched them together as a double bill.
Have you been to Black Park Country Park near Iver, just west of London? I was there the other week. You can still identify a number of locations in various scenes.
I haven't, but that definitely sounds like a worthwhile trip.
My second equal favorite Dracula (alongside Taste ), after Risen. I was up at Black Park Country Park the other week. You can still identify the spot where the woodcutter's little shack/where the coachman throws them off the coach was filmed. At the northeast end of the lake. The opening funeral procession was filmed at the southwest end of the lake.
By the way, Charles Tingwell, who you didn't like, is well known to many fans of the charming Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple films, where he played Inspector Craddock in all four films.
Cheers.
Black Park is such a huge part of Hammers legacy. Would love to visit someday
Dracula has risen from the grave was a high point in all respects.
@@fredbergstrom4866I have a great book on all the Hammer locations and it pinpoints scenes from the films. It's indispensable for a trip to Black Park. Even without it though, you can still identify spots around the lake. Even though its changed in some ways, with the cafe at the southwest section, other things are very much the same.
Cheers.
@@BruceBanner-eg8vsSure was. I prefer the ensemble cast and characters to the first one.
Ive visited black park a few times..and Oakley Court...it was great walking round with a hammer t.shirt on!!..people having picnics on the benches out in the clearing..not batting an eyelid 😂...goldeneye and goldfinger were also filmed there..its hammers iconic location. . Going back to never take sweets from a stranger..
Oh yes! My introduction to Hammer and Lee. This will make my day hearing this at lunch. The Hammer I have watched the most since I was 7 years old
I was told that running water is "alive" so evil cannot survive it whereas stagnant water is considered "dead".
That’s cool
Father Sandor is a brilliant character. He's not Van Helsing, and he's not trying to be. He's funny, folksy, and devout. I've heard that there are comic books about him. And yeah, father, I'm from northern MN you toast those buns! 10/10 fricheks
I would've loved to see more of Father Sandor. Like Michael Ripper who often played very interesting characters that didn't get much screen time. And the fact that Kier was only 39 makes the performance even more striking, I had to check his age a million times because I didn't believe it at first. He's great in "Quatermass And The Pit" too.
Hammer magazines had him in some comic adventures too. I would love to have seen more of him and Capt Kronos. They could have battled Count Karnstein or even Count Mitterhouse. All great one off characters.
Well said! “One of the few pleasures left in life.”
@@petrilampela if you haven't watched Dark Corners Reviews special on Michael Ripper you absolutely must.
@@fredbergstrom4866 that's the best idea I've heard all day. Someone get this Fred Bergstrom fella a production company! 10/10 fricheks
The resurrection of Dracula is one of the greatest hammer moments
really is epic
Originally, Hammer planned to have a different 'Dracula' for every movie - basically having the spirit of Dracula wandering from body to body. That is why there was a different actor in Brides of Dracula. The American investors were complaining about that, though - they wanted Lee back. Because of that Hammer tried everything for the following movies to have Lee take up the role again (and they managed it right up to Satanic Rites, but Lee drew the line at Seven Golden Vampires and didn't appear in that one, although his stunt double did for a little while).
This was always my favorite of the Hammer Dracula series! I thought you did a great job on the editing, no issues I saw. Great job as always! 🧛
it's a cool atmospheric flick. I like most of these Dracula films.
The best part of most Hammer Dracula movies is BEFORE Dracula appears. The writer and director are very good at generating suspense. After he shows up, he doesn't do much. In this movie, he killed, what, one person?
Francis Matthews was the voice of Captain Scarlett. Lovely character actor.
I just can't help but feel sorry for poor Helen in this movie. Nobody listened to her being the only sensible person in that whole creepy situation and it got her killed. I feel like she was the only one of the travellers who deserved to survive it. Barbara Shelly was a fantastic vampire though so that's the trade off. A pity we didn't see her getting captured, it feels a bit odd for her to just be captured off screen by some monks who don't even have dialogue or a name.
Main thing bothering me is that Charles never owns up to his mistakes, he takes zero responsibility for getting his brother and sister in law killed.
Just for the hell of it, look up some facts about Christopher Lee's life, what an amazing man he was.
John Bolton did some short comic strips for the magazine HAMMER HALLS OF HORROR that featured Father Sandor as the lead character. They are pretty great.
This is the first Hammer movie I ever watched, I have a lot of affection for it.
Mine too. It seems this was the introduction for many Hammer fans
Andrew Kier is also my favourite Professor Quatermass and Quatermass And The Pit is actually my favourite Hammer film.
I used to think this movie was a bit substandard in the Hammer Dracula series but have come to love it and have watched it many times. The atmosphere and set-up is great with the two unwary vacationing couples falling into the Count's clutches, and it has two of my favourite Brit horror ladies Barbara Shelley and Suzan Farmer.
x I added Dracula: Prince of Darkness to my January Watchlist.
Let me know where you find it...cuz I can't!
Great reviews & I agree with most of your comments. My two top favourite Dracula, films from hammer, are Dracula (Horror of Dracula in the USA) Bride's of Dracula even low Christopher Lee did not appear in this film. The reason why I like them is the atmosphere is superb in these two films due to the wonderful, brilliant Cinematography, of Jack Asher BSC he set the standard of Cinematography, that others tried to achieve, but failed.All the other Hammer Dracula's, are all good in their own way. When you consider the budget, was small, but in the UK they are the only film Production Company to receive The Queens award to industry. That is such a great achievement. When you consider that horror films today rely on CGI to create atmosphere & gore & with a budget into the millions today.
Hammer Films will live. forever❤
Heyo Daniel! Your channel is really getting me into the Halloween spirit! Love me some classic Hammer Horror. Grew up watching all those movies.
Love to hear that!
Great video!!! Love Prince of Darkness!! It has one of, if not the best resurrection scene. I think Dracula not speaking actually works for the film. He's just been resurrected, so he's probably going to be animalistic.
Lee didn't want to be typecasted as just a horror actor, so Hammer made a deal and gave him the role of Rasputin, which was shot back to back on the same set.
Love how Lee just shrugs off Barbara Shelly. Dracula loves his blondes!! Love Hammer Horror! Your videos definitely give them justice! Coincidentally, I just received my NECA Hammer Dracula of Christopher Lee. Looks amazing, can't wait to get the Peter Cushing Van Helsing figure to go along with it!
Keep up the great work!!
The key thing to note regarding this particular movie is that just prior to its release no one really expected Christopher Lee to ever reprise the role that first made him an international star. So there was a great deal of frenzied expectation in the air once his welcome return was publically announced. We tend to take sequels for granted nowadays, but in the mid-1960s it certainly was not. Aside from which, the Count had been reduced to dust and ash in the first film and in those days no one could truly imagine how Dracula could ever rise again from the grave? In the event, Philip Latham in the unexpected role of Clove almost stole the show right out from under the Count's nose. But then again, Latham was an experienced British professional thespian of the best classical acting credentials.
This is my favorite of the Hammer Dracula series.
Awesome movie awesome host love Lee as Dracula no one can top him for sure thanks looking forward to the next one.
Your Trope Checklist is a nice touch to another excellent and entertaining review. Halloween II is my #1 horror comfort film and I also believe J. Sangster.
Christopher Lee's stunt double nearly drowned while filming the finale. Thankfully he didn't because it would be a bummer to die making an anti-climactic death scene.
Overall this is a great gothic Dracula film, though Thorley Walters is sadly wasted playing Hammer's only attempt of the Renfield character.
I am loving your reviews - thank you for doing these 🥳🧛♂️
Thank you for watching!
It’s my birthday, I just poured a glass of whisky and this pops up.
Perfect 👌🏼
I’m honored 🥃
Hammer Horror is so good Kate Bush wrote a song about it!
It’s my favorite Hammer Dracula by a country mile.
Do you think she was portrayed as a stick in the mud so that her transformation into a vampire would be that more shocking?
That's how Bram Stoker wrote his female leads in the novel, Dracula. While they're human they're insipid, almost anaemic, but once they're vampires they are aggressive sex hungry flirts.
Fantastic upload as Always
Nice one Daniel
I’m just gonna say it. The fact this channel doesn’t have over 250k subs is insane to me. How can I sub more to make up for this travesty?
I loved dracula going into the ice at the end, its very well shot, I like the idea of winter... loved it as a kid... it made me more scared of water than jaws ever did , like literally the WATER kills you. . you think im taking a bath after watching that? lol
The running water crossing is mentioned in the Dracula novel. Most people probably know about it unless they have read the book. The bland brother was also in the movie, 'Where Eagles Dare'. He plays a double agent who gets killed towards the end of the movie.
Love the shout out for Die Monster Die!
I just LOVE that you LOVE this! I enjoyed your video very much. Thank you!
Much like Ben Tramer in Halloween....I always wanted a spinoff story with Horace Peabody
He’s far too much of a gentleman!
@@cobwebschannel😂
😂😂
Love this movie. Can't wait to see the new Dracula from the upcoming movie Dracula Rise of the Vampire
Alan was played by Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, who i've seen in loads of Australian shows i watch.
He was also in all four Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple films as Inspector Craddock.
And the start of the great Aussie film Malcolm, with Colin Friels.
The most shocking thing about this movie is that Andrew Keir (Father Sandor) was 39 years old when they filmed it! I'm 49 and hope I don't look like that in decades 😅To be honest Prince of Darkness is not one of my favorite Hammer Draculas, I think it has some pacing issues. I probably like Dracula Has Risen from the Grave the most.
Holy cow!! I wish I had known that when I filmed, it would have been interesting to address. 😂
Loving your content Daniel. Great channel, hugely entertaining. Hammer and amicus movies are my absolute favourite.
I remember reading somewhere, maybe in David Pirie's Vampire Cinema, that this film has an "idiot plot" .
To enjoy the story, you have to forget and forgive that the decisions made by the main protagonists are completely idiotic.
"What are those screams coming from the cemetery at this time of night?"
" You silly girl. Its probably nothing. You wait here alone. I'll go and check"
I LOVE this film and just like you, my enjoyment grew after I accepted the "idiot plot" device. I note you ref the Halloween sequel etc... Absolutely. Great piece buddy. Subscribed.
Good review. Looking forward to your review Dracula Ad 72
Have to agree with you about Helen and Charles. They did have a bit of sibling energy. Plus, it would have made the death scene of Helen more powerful, especially if Charles had to be the one to stake her after her capture. A brother giving his sister peace, and it would have given more power for his desire destroy the Count in the end.
This may be my favorite Hammer Dracula. In Bram Stoker's novel, after the Jonathan Harker first act, for the rest of the novel Dracula never talks (in fact, he rarely even appears 'til the climax). He's an animated corpse, after all, what has he got to talk about? He needed to talk with Harker, but that's it.
My favourite Dracula film. Terrence Fisher directs the hell out of this one! Just absolutely entombed, pun intended, in atmosphere. I adore it. Now it does have weird pacing but nonetheless, Christopher Lee and Terrence make it for me.
Terrence Fisher flicks capture actors' performances differently. No idea how he does it, but he does.
Fisher made my favorite Hammer films. Even as a kid discovering Hammer I always looked to see if he directed it
This IS a great movie but Dracula Has Risen From The Grave is a classic as well.
Charles,s brother is played by Charles Tingwell an Australian actor who appeared in dozens of British films and Tv
...and plenty of Australian movies & TV.
@@neil2402 of course both him and Vincent Ball
Yes! I am so glad you mentioned it feeling like a slasher movie at the start. Because that's exactly how I thought of it when I watched it a few months ago. For me it just has that feel about it in the first act.
I like your take on Sangster vs Lee's account on whether there was ever any dialog for Dracula's character. It makes sense. I wonder if it'd be worth doing a deep dive to find out if either account could be backed up by others involved.
Most historians and Hammer experts seem to believe Sangster. From what I've read and opinions of Hammer fans it seems to be no dialogue was ever written. Lee played it like an animal so never needed it imo
@fredbergstrom4866 interesting! Thanks for sharing that. It would be very Christopher Lee to elect for a more dramatic story too 😄
@@nastyporch3275 Hammer's Tony Hinds backed up Sangster and he would know.
In this film, the coach driver "who will go no further" drops them off only 2km short of their destination. I could never figure why they didn't go for choice #3 and just *walk* the last 2km. I mean, that's 1.2 miles. Literally a ten to fifteen minute walk and they're at the local inn having a drink before dinner.
The fact..yu do not see chris lee for 40mins..shows what an influential take...he took on the character itself..the resurrection scene with Philip latham and Charles Tingwell...are sublime hammer....bit of a classic..me thinks...iconic...hammergazz
I can't believe I am a bigger Hammer nerd than you are. The showing the ending scene of The Horror of Dracula at the beginning of Dracula: Prince of Darkness was to remind viewers what happened in the past film, but it was not the main reason it was added to the start of the film. Peter Cushing planned to act in Dracula: Prince of Darkness, but his wife, Helen, became sick with emphysema. Cushing did not want to leave her side, so he turned down the role. One problem with that is that Cushing had a leaky roof at the time. Cushing needed money to fix the roof. The film clip was long enough to be considered Peter Cushing was in the film. Cushing earned 686 pounds which was enough to fix his roof. The source is from A Life in Films: Peter Cushing by Peter Miller.
Thank you for showing Poe! So adorable!
I like the reason you give for Dracula not speaking in this movie, that he's even less human in behavior because of being killed and resurrected. It makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, I do miss Lee's fantastic speaking voice. His hissing performance is very effectively menacing, though
Christopher Lee claimed that he was given lines to speak but they were so awful he refused to say them. It was something about Dracula having commanded nations, seeking revenge on humanity and more. Among his many abilities he was a competent mime artist, some of other film roles were non speaking.
As for the dialogue , Sangster didn't write any . Lee loved to tell many a tall tale . There's no version of the script with any dialogue for Dracula
Yes, Hammer's Tony Hinds backed up Sangster on that, the script never had any dialogue for Dracula, because that's what Sangster felt like doing
It's fine...🤣 Great review! This is one I haven't seen and probably won't look for after watching your review. For me it doesnt look like it has rewatch potential. Loving this Dracula series!
It's well worth watching, and I've rewatched it plenty of times. It's very good.
I watch multiple times a year. I have seen it more times than any other Hammer film....even more than Horror of Dracula and Curse of Frankenstein. 😊
@@fredbergstrom4866 Good taste. ✌️
Beautiful cat.
Daniel watched a fantastic film recently. Night of the hunter .Robert mitchum..I would love love u to do one of your fantastic reviews on the movie ....I defo think it will be in your wheelhouse
Think he mentions it in his best of 60's video.
@fredbergstrom4866 thank u will check it out
@@fredbergstrom4866 thanks will check it out
Ahh, the Good Old Days. When You meant Horror, You Said HAMMER!
Wasn't Francis Matthews the voice of Captain Scarlet?
Yes he was 😊
Francis Matthews provided the voice of Captain Scarlet in the 60's Gerry Anderson series.
I still think BRIDES OF DRACULA is the ultimate Hammer film.
Hi Daniel. This movie is not the best Dracula but certainly not the worst. 8 / 10 xx
I'm watching the Hammer movies for the first time, in order, started from Curse of Frankenstein. I just watched Dracula Prince of darkness for the first time and it was one of my least favorites so far, wich surprised me. It had a really strong first half, but the second half kinda dragged for me, altough i loved the priest character. My favorite i think is Brides of Dracula, mostly because of the excelent atmosphere. 💀
Brides is ruined by the poorly cast lead vampire.
hey handsome.. loving this series your doing... hey maybe you cud do one on disney dark films . those late 70 early 80s ones in this kinda detail xxxxxxxxxx
I agree that the siblings should have been Helen and Charles. In a way they kind of remind me of a less funny Evie and Jonathan from the Brendan Fraser Mummy movies.
I've been watching tons of your videos and having fun with them. Your enthusiasm has made me want to reconsider a bit these Hammer films/vampire films, none of which I was very affected by when I saw them in the theater when they were first released. Vampires just never held any interest for me/never found them frightening in the lest (and I was really really out off by that opening theme from HORROR OF DRCULA, whichI found terribly ponderous and way overdone)....But I generally liked the look of these films from a setting standpoint, ie quaint at times, sumptuous at other times, and just really "classy" looking ias far as the castle interiors went. My one favorite vampire film I believe is one low on your list, KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, which I thought the most stylish, with some richly stunning decor, a lovely masquerade, and some very appealing set design. I found Don Sharp's direction (genereally) more interesting than Fisher's, somewhat more adventurous and more cinematic,.
I found the ending of this film really disappointing, and quite a bad choice. Very anti-climactic I wish they'd found a way for a more spectacular (or eve ironic) death scene. (I don't know if you've ever read Matheson's I AM LEGEND, but the Robert Neville character DOES experiment with trying to stop the "vampires" haunting his property every night via running water...to no avail. This is where I first learned of this idea, and I think it had some potential in the Hammer films that were never fully explored) But I digress)
Anyway, not to be too much of a downer, I very much DO enjoy your videos, even when they are about so many films that I find of no real interest (slasher films and those Amicus anthologies for instance---even though I knew Max Rosenberg quite well) . But your sheer enthusiasm has sparked my interest in looking at some of these films anew, if only to appreciate their decor and so many wonderful British actors (and vivid character parts: Michael Ripper is a favorite,maybe England's answer to our "Elisha Cook"s and "Dick Miller"s)
I continue to look forward to and further enjoy your videos! I love to see younger people who are not stuck in a constant mind-set of cynicism, snark and insult, but who exhibit enthusiasm and the joy of film/entertainment instead. It is pretty infectious. Thanks for all your work on these videios! Happy Halloween too!
How could anyone call a Hammer movie lacking Petey Cush and Michael Ripper the “quintessential” one
Prince of Darkness!!!
You should do a video on Nosferatu The Vampyre from 1979, I think Klaus Kinski was great as a vampire
great video, and give Poe a treat on my behalf!
Nobody did it like...Christopher Lee 🤘🤘🤘🤘☠️💀☠️💀☠️💀🔥🔥🔥🔥
Great review. Agree with your assessment of the movie. I also find the ending a bit anti-climactic and Barbara Shelley is also my favorite Hammer movie actress.
I love your t-shirt by the way. Scars of Dracula is my second favorite Hammer Dracula movie. While a step down in budget, Lee’s portrayal in that film is the most evil and sadistic of any other, in my opinion, and I love that.
Really looking forward to the rest of your Hammer Dracula reviews!
You mentioned Charles and Diana and the Royal connection in your video, another interesting connection is that King Charles is a direct descendent of Vlad the impaler, also known as the real life Dracula
🧛🏻♂️
I noticed the Charles and Diana reference as well, of course this film was made fifteen years before THAT wedding so it must be coincidence. I don't know if it's of any importance but another Hammer film made about the same time carried a reference to something outside the narrative. In Plague of the Zombies the hero's surname was Forbes, while villain's surname was Hamilton. Fifteen years after these films were made there was a BBC sitcom called To The Manor Born, starring Penelope Keith. Forbes-Hamilton was her character's surname.
A favorite!
For some reason (maybe the editing errors on your old computer?), the sound goes out at the last 20 seconds of the video. Hope everything works out with your new computer (transferring everything over, authenticating credentials on various sites and services, etc).
That aside, good review. I haven't seen this yet so I did spoil myself, but the film is also 60 years old so I guess it doesn't entirely matter, and I'll get to seeing this at some point anyway. The film certainly has some incredible elements to it (the resurrection being a stunning and brilliant move, the watery grave being a clever idea) even if it's in the shadow of Horror.
The conflicting stories of Lee's dialog present an interesting debate, and although Sangster is probably right and there was nothing written (and it plays to this characterization better), it also reminds me of Cid Haig's issue with Galaxy of Terror, where he refused to speak more than a handful of lines in the film.
Love the cat, he is so adorable, and looking forward to more Hammer reviews.
Very good, but ,Dracula has risen from the grave' is even better for me 👍
Great video again
Thank you, Daniel 👋
Yeah that's my favourite one.
Hammer films are my favorites by far… but how about a more chronological system for these movies? How about one Frankenstein, one Dracula and one of the others like The Mummy, Curse of the Werewolf, The Devil rides out etc? Because after the next Dracula film the quality of the movies really go downhill for Dracula himself but there are a lot of great Hammer films you can also cover
Hey Daniel, any recommendations for someone trying to start a channel. I am a huge lover of horror and was a special effects person in training before I got hurt. Also might be a little older than you on here. Proud Gen X grew up with horror in the late 70s and 80s. And just kept on going. I hope to hear from you. I love your channel and Christopher Lee is who I grew up with as Dracula.
Poe, vampire hunter!