Review of Scars of Dracula (1970) by James G — 23 Dec 2007

All of the Hammer Dracula films are worth a watch in one way or another, in spite of (or partly because of) their inherent kitschyness. This is the first of Hammer's attempts to reboot what was generally seen as a tired, cliched franchise: the setting is still Victorian Europe, but it breaks away from the continuity of the previous sequels, reinstates elements and dialogue from Stoker's novel, and is a more bloody, violent, sexual and dark chapter.

Lee does a fairly good job considering that by now he was regularly berating the quality of his part publicly and admitting he was only signing on for the cheque, but his resurrection and death scenes which bookend the film are visually striking, almost as much as the rubber puppet bat which deserves top billing but is impossible to take seriously.

Former Doctor Who Patrick Troughton has a memorable turn as the hirsute henchman Klove, and there is some amusement to be had seeing Dennis Waterman in particularly plummy mode as effete hero Paul. In fairness by now Hammer has already provided a more original and expensive-looking take on the vampire genre with Vampire Circus, Twins of Evil, Captain Kronos and the Vampire Lovers; tastier fare was to come with the controversial but undoubtedly enjoyable 'modern day' sequels Dracula AD 1972 and The Satanic Rites Of Dracula.