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A broken wheel interrupts their journey; it is almost dark
before they reach the halfway point. The coachman panics and
leaves them stranded by the roadside.
While preparing to bed down for the night another coach arrives
and takes them to a castle where they meet a strange servant
named Klove (Philip Latham) who has already prepared rooms
and dinner.
During the night one of the traveller's blood is used to
reconstitute the owner of the castle, Count Dracula, who has
been a pile of dust for a number of years. The remaining wayfarers
are at the vampire's mercy.
Considering the age of the movie the picture and sound quality
is first class with vivid colour and clear sound. Sets and
costumes are of excellent quality and realistic. Director
Terence Fisher delivers a well-paced work and nicely composed
shots.
The actors provide solid performances; in particular (Philip
Latham) as the very sinister manservant and of course Christopher
Lee who has made the role of Dracula his own.
With all of the above considered, Dracula – Prince of Darkness
should be a very good film… it isn't, because of the screenplay.
There are too many clichéd situations. One could forgive them
in the Bela Lugosi era, but not in the 'swinging sixties'.
This reviewer should declare a degree of bias; all vampire
movies must have actors who meet the test.
Female vampires are sexy, and wear very revealing gowns.
They possess luscious lips, which reveal a tantalizing glimpse
of elongated incisors. Female vampires use every wile to get
into their victim's neck. Ingrid Pitt is the epitomy of the
above and is the benchmark… 10. In this picture, vampire Diana
rates 6…the inner urge was not convincing.
Conclusion: 80% Extras: 20%.
Continued: DVD
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