Sunday, October 12, 2014

Horror of Dracula

(1958) **1/2

Yup, another Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing movie! If you've seen Bram Stoker's Dracula, you know the story. If you haven't, please watch asap! I've only seen it in the movie theater 3-4 times, because of my Gary Oldman obsessed friend at the time! I have a feeling that I'm going to be all Dracula-d out y the end of this Hororthon, so I switched a few movies around in the queue.
So, I gave this movie 2.5 stars because of Lee, Cushing, and the girl that plays Lucy's(Carol Marsh) performance. Lucy's facial expressions as a cross is being burned into her head looks extremely painful. Her transformation back to her grave is very expressive also-very enjoyable. I didn't know we have so many muscles in our face to make those movements!
 
Unlike Bram Stoker's Dracula, the ladies in this movie are played by older actresses and most likely because of the time it was made, they are conservative in their clothing. I do enjoy the clothing of decades ago!
 
Well here is the description-
"After Jonathan Harker attacks Dracula at his castle (apparently somewhere in Germany), the vampire travels to a nearby city, where he preys on the family of Harker's fiancée. The only one who may be able to protect them is Dr. van Helsing, Harker's friend and fellow-student of vampires, who is determined to destroy Dracula, whatever the cost."-Very lacking in details, perhaps not to give away the spoilers if you don't know the story.
They do know in this version of the vampire, that he cannot travel by daylight unless in coffin. He is over 500 years old. He is affected by crosses. They aren't certain if he can fly or change shapes though.
 
So, Dr. van Helsing keeps records of his knowledge of vampires and uses it to rid the world of Dracula.
 
For the decade that this was made, the movie effects were really good. The ending was the best though...
 
                                                         Ashes to ashes...dust to dust
 


5 comments:

Landshark said...

Cool, I've never seen this version. I have to admit the original Dracula story (both the book and the few versions I've seen) leave me a bit cold. Its descendents, from Buffy to The Passage to Salem's Lot are often pretty great though.

AC said...

Abduscias, I've never seen the Gary Oldman one, and it was on my list for this year, but a lot of our blog mates apparently hate it so I'm torn! I do love the original Dracula story.

Catfreeek said...

There is something to behold in Christopher Lee's portrayal of Dracula. Both he and Bela owned that character in their interpretations.

Johnny Sweatpants said...

Agreed Catfreeek!

I watched the Christopher Lee Dracula movies completely out of order and missed some along the way. I really need to make time for a Lee/Cushing Dracula marathon.

Abduscias said...

Ac..The Bram Stoker's Dracula-Gary Oldman is really good, despite Winona Ryder's horrible acting. Just try to ignore her! lol

Malevolent

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