Review of Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968) by Steve D — 08 Oct 2010

Renowned cinematographer Freddie Francis took over the helm from Terence Fisher after the latter was injured in a traffic accident and called the shots on the third Christopher Lee â??Draculaâ?? movie.

Some obvious blasphemy can be found in its audacious title â??Dracula Has Risen From the Grave.â?? Written by â??Kiss of the Vampireâ?? scribe Anthony Hinds, this sturdy Hammer Films release boasts a wonderfully creepy but colorful opening titles sequence and Christopher Lee delivers another memorable performance as the man in the red-lined black cape.

Twice in â??Dracula Has Risen From the Grave,â?? our wicked supernatural protagonist struggles to remove objects used to impale and kill him. The first time he dislodges a large wooden stake from his chest but the second time he isnâ??t as successful since he has toppled onto a huge crucifix.

Francis loves to show Draculaâ??s blood-shot eyes in Spaghetti western style close-ups and Lee is villainous in his third outing. Sadly, Professor Van Helsing doesnâ??t appear in this installment. Instead, Van Helsing has been replaced by Monsignor Ernest Mueller (Rupert Davies) who serves as a catalyst for Hindsâ?? screenplay.

Mueller travels to Castle Dracula with a huge crucifix and climbs the perilous mountains so that he can plant the crucifix on the front doors of Draculaâ??s castle. Evil, the Monsignor Mueller assures the villagers, has been extinguished from the area.

Little does the poor churchman know that he has not only revived the long dormant vampire scourge, but also he has given him a reason to attack him. The production values are glossy enough and Hindsâ?? screenplay deals with the impact of religion.

More than any previous Hammer film, â??Dracula Has Risen from the Graveâ?? is all about believing in good and evil. A major character who espouses atheism changes over the filmâ??s 92 minutes to become a believer.

Dracula adopts a tactic that served him well in â??Horror of Draculaâ?? when he concealed his presence on a property. The romance between the man and woman has a tinge of â??Romeo and Julietâ?? because her guardians want her to have nothing to do with her heathen boy friend.

Ewan Hooper is very good as a conflicted priest who falls under Draculaâ??s spell and serves as a Renfield of sorts. Not surprisingly, â??Dracula Has Risen from the Graveâ?? was Hammerâ??s most profitable release.

â??Blood from the Mummyâ??s Tombâ?? lenser Arthur Grant does some interesting things with filters in Draculaâ??s scene so that everything has a reddish tinge that complements the suspense.