Count Dracula is deceased, though things are far from secure. A young schoolteacher Marianne Danielle makes her way to the dreaded Transylvania. She is confronted by a lonely, elderly woman the baroness Meinster. She offers Marianne a chance to stay at her castle, just over the hills. The naive Marianne accepts. She is not aware that the Baroness has a son named The Baron who is ill, tied up with shackles. The Baroness has been bringing girls to her castle to feed her son blood, and Marianne unwittingly lets her son go. She inexplicably agrees to marry The Baron. Prof. Van Helsing is forced to try and save the day
According to IMDb's rating, this seems to be accepted among fans of this series, but I just don't sense it. It doesn't get talked about very often, and I feel it should. It's not as good as Horror of Dracula, but i'd probably rank it as the second best in the series. Like most of the movies in this series. This movie is very lavish, especially the amazing sets. Most people frown upon this movie because of Christopher Lee's absence. David Peel is no Christopher Lee, but he is adequate and fitfully menacing like Dracula should be. This movie has more than enough to overcome Lee's absence. This is a meaningless thing to say in a review. I just wonder why the choice of meal is soup or goulash. I realize this was back in the old days, but it gets a bit redundant. I digress. Peter Cushing is as solid as ever as Van Helsing. He is subtly effective as always, and a joy to watch. Yvonne Monlaur is rather wooden with her thick accent, and moronic character. Her "You've always been so kind to me" act, along with her blasé attitude made me wanna slap her one. How could a woman be this naive? Martita Hunt gives a chilling performance as the Baroness. She's full of class. Freda Jackson is extremely creepy in her role. At first I felt she overdid the hysterics, but that laugh soon began to terrify me. Freda, excellent job. Please stay far away from me! David Peepl acquits himself adequately, as I explained earlier, even if he lacks Lee's imposing presence. The finale delivers thrills in spades with many memorable moments. Chains and ropes only begin to describe the adroit finale
Final Thoughts: David Peel's casting aside, he's not as bad as you may think. I like this movie very much. It has a lot going for it to make it well worth seeing. I don't see why Hammer fans would dislike it
7.5/10
According to IMDb's rating, this seems to be accepted among fans of this series, but I just don't sense it. It doesn't get talked about very often, and I feel it should. It's not as good as Horror of Dracula, but i'd probably rank it as the second best in the series. Like most of the movies in this series. This movie is very lavish, especially the amazing sets. Most people frown upon this movie because of Christopher Lee's absence. David Peel is no Christopher Lee, but he is adequate and fitfully menacing like Dracula should be. This movie has more than enough to overcome Lee's absence. This is a meaningless thing to say in a review. I just wonder why the choice of meal is soup or goulash. I realize this was back in the old days, but it gets a bit redundant. I digress. Peter Cushing is as solid as ever as Van Helsing. He is subtly effective as always, and a joy to watch. Yvonne Monlaur is rather wooden with her thick accent, and moronic character. Her "You've always been so kind to me" act, along with her blasé attitude made me wanna slap her one. How could a woman be this naive? Martita Hunt gives a chilling performance as the Baroness. She's full of class. Freda Jackson is extremely creepy in her role. At first I felt she overdid the hysterics, but that laugh soon began to terrify me. Freda, excellent job. Please stay far away from me! David Peepl acquits himself adequately, as I explained earlier, even if he lacks Lee's imposing presence. The finale delivers thrills in spades with many memorable moments. Chains and ropes only begin to describe the adroit finale
Final Thoughts: David Peel's casting aside, he's not as bad as you may think. I like this movie very much. It has a lot going for it to make it well worth seeing. I don't see why Hammer fans would dislike it
7.5/10