The first direct sequel to the studios' "Dracula" (after the Dracula-less sequel "The Brides of Dracula"), this is standard stuff for them, but typically well done. Director Terence Fisher is in fine form as always, the look of the film is perfect, James Bernards' score is thunderous and insistent, the ladies (Barbara Shelley and Suzan Farmer) are ravishing, and Sir Christopher Lee is a force of nature as the bad Count. His screen time is quite limited, but effective. He has no dialogue here - he's a feral beast who basically just hisses. Van Helsing is not to be seen here, but his stand-in, a tough, knowledgeable, and authoritative monk named Father Sandor (Andrew Keir) more than makes up for that.
The focus is on a quartet of vacationers made up of two couples: Charles (Francis Matthews) & Diana (Ms. Farmer) and Alan (Charles 'Bud' Tingwell) & Helen (Ms. Shelley). They're stranded in the wilderness by a frightened coachman who dares not venture too close to Draculas' castle. A horse and carriage pick them up and bring them to the castle, where a faithful servant, Klove (a creepy Philip Latham) shows them some hospitality. Charles and Alan don't really question things (even though they should), but Helen is scared. And rightfully so. That night, Klove puts into motion the means of resurrecting Dracula. Two of the quartet must then rely on the services of Father Sandor in dispatching Dracula.
"Dracula: Prince of Darkness" moves forward very well and delivers a respectable amount of chills and thrills. The atmosphere is potent, in the Hammer tradition, and the story leads to an action-packed climax and a novel means of destroying Dracula, which Hammer would do with each entry in their series. The very engaging cast also includes delightful Thorley Walters as Renfield-like, easily manipulated character Ludwig. This sequel is unique for Hammers' Dracula franchise for its 2.35:1 aspect ratio; the excellent widescreen cinematography is courtesy of Michael Reed. The highlight has to be the commanding performance by Keir, who proves to be just as worthy a Dracula opponent as Peter Cushings' Van Helsing is.
Followed by "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave".
Seven out of 10.
The focus is on a quartet of vacationers made up of two couples: Charles (Francis Matthews) & Diana (Ms. Farmer) and Alan (Charles 'Bud' Tingwell) & Helen (Ms. Shelley). They're stranded in the wilderness by a frightened coachman who dares not venture too close to Draculas' castle. A horse and carriage pick them up and bring them to the castle, where a faithful servant, Klove (a creepy Philip Latham) shows them some hospitality. Charles and Alan don't really question things (even though they should), but Helen is scared. And rightfully so. That night, Klove puts into motion the means of resurrecting Dracula. Two of the quartet must then rely on the services of Father Sandor in dispatching Dracula.
"Dracula: Prince of Darkness" moves forward very well and delivers a respectable amount of chills and thrills. The atmosphere is potent, in the Hammer tradition, and the story leads to an action-packed climax and a novel means of destroying Dracula, which Hammer would do with each entry in their series. The very engaging cast also includes delightful Thorley Walters as Renfield-like, easily manipulated character Ludwig. This sequel is unique for Hammers' Dracula franchise for its 2.35:1 aspect ratio; the excellent widescreen cinematography is courtesy of Michael Reed. The highlight has to be the commanding performance by Keir, who proves to be just as worthy a Dracula opponent as Peter Cushings' Van Helsing is.
Followed by "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave".
Seven out of 10.