Review of The Brides of Dracula (1960) by John K — 01 May 2011
My personal favorite among Hammer Studios' myriad number of vampire films, dripping with gothic mood & atmosphere. Interesting in that it was to have originally been a direct sequel to Hammer's earlier "Horror of Dracula", but Christopher Lee declined the role, fearing type-casting.
They then changed the role from Count Dracula to "Baron Meinster", and cast a relatively unknown actor, David Peel, as the vamp. He does an outstanding job, infusing the character with energetically-menacing and almost animalistic qualities.
Some of England's most-skilled character actors & actresses uplift this production to a previously unseen degree, especially the regal and formidable Martita Hunt as the vampire's doomed Baroness-mother in a multi-dimensionally sinister & sympathetic performance.
Freda Jackson also is notable as the Baroness's jackal-like crone of a housemaid. The always reliable Peter Cushing shines here as well in his second outing as the irrepressible Dr. Van Helsing. Truly the apex of the Hammer horror genre.
This review of The Brides of Dracula (1960) was written by John K on 01 May 2011.
The Brides of Dracula has generally received positive reviews.
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