Review of Dracula (1958) by Neil O — 01 Nov 2013

Hammer capitalised on the success of The Curse of Frankenstein (1956) with this impressive follow up using the previous films' two stars. Fifty years later this film stands out as still being THE definitive version of Dracula.

Removing much of the padding of the novel, Jimmy Sangster's screenplay rattles through the story at an astounding pace that you never get bored for a sceond. Cushing is the undoubted star though Lee does make the title role his own portraying the feral beast at both his most charming and most terryfying.

Terrence Fisher's superb direction and James Bernard's iconic score make this a masterpiece of cinema.