Review of Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) by Craig B — 19 Dec 2010

Though its success as a horror movie is largely undermined by an emphasis on cheesy gore over tension, "Dracula: Prince of Darkness" is noteworthy because of a heretofore unseen take on one of the creature's most essential powers: hypnosis.

Though most any vampire movie finds the monster preying on innocents to do his bidding and/or become a meal, "Prince of Darkness" delves into the phenomenon than others. Several major characters become victims of opportunity, but two others -- a servant named Klove (Philip Latham) and a Renfield-esque lunatic named Ludwig (Thorley Walters) -- mark a decidedly different relationship between the Count (Christopher Lee) and his entranced subjects. Both Klove and Ludwig, despite 10 years between Dracula's destruction in the first Hammer film and this sequel, remain loyal to the prince, with both men snapping back into service the instant the dreaded vampire is made whole again.

Thus, perhaps even inadvertently, "Prince of Darkness" manages to comment on servitude and the relationship between the upper and lower classes. Though Dracula is reliant on his unwilling servants, and willing to cast them aside whenever it's convenient, the servants dedicate themselves to their master, even after he's been destroyed. Though it might be just a bit of minor subtext, "Prince of Darkness" is commendable for actually trying, unlike its miserable predecessor.