1973 | Color | 87 Minutes | 1.85:1 | R | Horror | Mono | Hammer Films
Source: DVD
Writer: Don Houghton
Stars:
Christopher Lee
Peter Cushing
Michael Coles
Story:
It's 1974 - two years after the events in Dracula 1972. Strange things are happening - some girls are disappearing from the street and some of them are secretaries to important people. The Police and the Secret Service become interested when rich people (including a Lord) are pouring their empires into a foundation in which the boss hasn't been seen and a photograph of him doesn't produce a figure. The Inspector from D72 comes to see Van Helsing and Jessica and their investigations lead them to believe that the boss is Dracula...
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| Christopher Lee as Count Dracula |
After hearing about Christopher Lee passing away it was not a shock but still brought sadness. So over the weekend I planned on watching one of his many Hammer Horror Features that we always hear so much about. After scanning through my collection I settled on Count Dracula and His Vampire Brides or also know has The Satanic Rites Of Dracula.
Being this was the last appearance for Lee as Count Dracula in the series it seemed like a good starting point. And this was also the final Hammer film that both he and Peter Cushing appear. I have never been much of a fan when it comes to Hammer but felt it was a good time to revisit and give them a second chance. I have never seen this one and was worried that it is on many public domain style DVD sets I should have gone with my gut on this.
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| Suck It! |
The minute the movie came on I was a little annoyed that I was presented with a full frame flick. So after adjusting the lights so that the black box looked more normal. Then I was also greeted with some really strange Seventies porn music. Which I will kind of forgive them on that this movie does take place in 1974 so fine I will move on. The cast was pretty bland as well in the opening real's. Finally, we are introduced to Peter Cushing's Van Hellsing character. Cushing is one cool son of a bitch! I could really get into his character quite well but where the hell is Lee? The movie has been on for almost 40 minutes and he was maybe 7 minutes of that so far.
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| Mia Martin is so dang pretty! |
Now I do like the idea of the story bring Dracula into more modern times looking to plague the world. And Hammer really gives us good camera work in fact at times I really enjoyed the way they would Frame in scene's. And when Lee finally came on the screen he was insanely marvelous and looked great. He and Cushing are fun on the screen and will make me look into some of their other movies. In fact, Cushing and Mia Martin were my favorite parts of the movie. When Martin tho brief came on the screen I sat up she is a beauty! I quickly looked her up on IMBD and was saddened that she really has not done much. Benny Hill was a big chunk of her life.
Unfortunately, this was not the movie to visit as I payed my respects to Christopher Lee. I know there are serious fans of Hammer Horror, but I'm still not jumping on that bandwagon yet I do plan on watching a flick or two before I close the book on the film company. Lee will be missed and its amazing that he has worked as long as he has and to make it all the way to 93 is such an amazing accomplishment these days.
So I'm sorry fans of Hammer but I can not go any higher then...
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| 2 Bloody Brains out of 5 |
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