Horror of Dracula (1958)

☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Horror of Dracula (1958) – T. Fisher

Sumptuous Hammer production directed by Terence Fisher and scripted by Jimmy Sangster -- one of their first takes on the horror classics, which, along with their version of Frankenstein (Curse of…, 1957) really launched the studio.  This is also Christopher Lee’s first outing as Count Dracula, a role he would make his own across the next two decades; he barely speaks but his glare is enough.  Of course, Peter Cushing is his nemesis, Doctor van Helsing, who uses his knowledge of vampire lore to try to stop the evil.  The script takes liberties with Bram Stoker’s original – for example, in this version, Jonathan Harker (John van Eyssen) is already onto Dracula and ready to stake him when he first ventures to the Count’s castle (and despite losing to Dracula, he still leads him to Lucy and Mina). Other variations exist (no Renfield, etc.), likely due to the budget being spent on sets and costumes (all great) rather than actors.  But the end result is a great mixture of gothic drama and bloody horror in that perfectly recreated Hammer version of the 19^th century (that somehow never quite seems real).