A part of me is quite baffled that a couple of big name stars sunk so low as to appear in what is effectively a pretty cheesy horror movie. Well, I'm probably being a bit harsh though since Christopher Lee has gone down in history as being the actor to play Dracula, just as Boris Karloff is seen as The Frankenstein's Monster (and as it turns out the Mummy as well). The problem was that the acting actually wasn't all that fantastic, and the movie, you have to admit, is actually pretty corny. Mind you, it isn't one of those 'so bad that it is actually good' type of movies, nor is it cheesy in the sense that it is bad – The Horror of Dracula is a classic movie, and rightfully so, it is just that looking back at this film from 2017 it does make me scratch my head in wonder.I probably don't need to go to much into the plot because, well, it's Dracula and I'm sure we all know the plot. No, come to think of it, we don't because I get the feeling that most of us think that the plot of Dracula is similar to Rocky Horror Picture Show, when in reality it isn't. In fact it is closer to the book, though there are quite a few poetic licenses used, such as making Jonathon Harker a rather minor role, and also switching the female characters around (Lucy is now Harker's fiancé, and they have introduced a completely new character as well). Other than that the plot is similar in that we are dealing with Dracula coming to the civilised world to wreck havoc.The film itself is pretty basic, and actually seems to be quite low budget as well. However, as I suggested, it isn't actually a bad film. It's a classic, and rightfully so, particularly since it launched this whole modern horror genre. Mind you, we are talking about slasher flicks here, though a part of me was half expecting that Dracula would eventually go on a killing spree, particularly since they kill of Harker near the beginning of the film. However, this turned out not to be the case. In the end, it is quite a fun film, and it actually makes me want to go and watch some of the Boris Karloff classics as well (though I think I'll stay away from some of the more cheesier Dracula films).

Hammer's first movie from endless Dracula stories and what's a picture,apparently settled on German as show in the picture and characters's name too....perhaps the best from hammer studios really, bringing Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) as top billing, gave to us an impressive value of this character against the evil Dracula,this Gothic style taking the story in another level and how to destroy the Dracula,the plot is very exciting with all gorgeous and sexy women along the picture, Dracula (Christopher Lee)with another great performance giving to him a kind of trademark for all career as irreplaceable Dracula, a movie to see many times indeed,hoping for best restoration in near future maybe in Blu-ray.

Some years ago it was written that "Lee and Cushing are the only Dracula and Helsing on the cinematic map, in the hall of fame, and I can't see them ever being bettered." That is the general and overwhelming consensus on this site, although there are still a few laughable retards in their habitual denial.Dracula and van Helsing, in this version, are unbelievably real. They are totally convincing. Van Helsing is the archetypal Victorian ethical gentleman, courteous, considerate, dauntlessly resolute, athletic and well-informed. Dracula is the pagan defeated demon from immemorial ages past, a fiendish but superbly imposing nobleman from a forgotten age.The acting support is adequate if not great, though memorably good are Woodbridge, the surly landlord; Malleson, the jolly undertaker; the corruptible customs official; Mina (or Lucy) and the little girl. The geography is distinctly vague. An excellent anachronistic touch is the bottle of Gordon's gin in the inn's uncertain locality, just the kind of familiar everyday British product you'd expect to find in Transylvania --- if that's where this is.I've seen some of the other versions, and they are all totally forgettable. This one is indelible. You could say it has permanent bite; and the plot holes are legion but quite irrelevant.

With a copy of Peveril Publishing's wondrous, Hammer Dracula Scrapbook by Wayne Kinsey in my possession, the time seemed right to watch this much loved movie after a gap of many years. Having been encouraged to watch the early classic horrors by my father I subsequently spent the classic Hammer years watching European cinema and only returned to the genre with giallo. Watching this beautifully shot movie today is a strange experience. No, of course it is not as violent and bloody or sexy as it would be if shot today but I was still impressed by the way the film unfolded and proceeded with just enough blood and guts, plus vivid storyline to hold the attention. Others have criticised Michael Gough's performance and it is certainly very much lacking for me. Carol Marsh as his fiancé is OK whilst in bed but overacts once she's up and running. Christopher Lee is fine but it is Peter Cushing who really holds this together. Him and the assured direction and magnificent set design which make almost every scene a delight. It is restrained, even with the recently discovered and most illuminating extra footage. With this extra material and the evidence contained in the aforementioned book, it is clear that the makers were struggling against a draconian set of censors to make a horror film that was horrific.