Review of The Brides of Dracula (1960) by Jason R — 20 Oct 2009

Despite its title, Hammerâ??s Brides of Dracula seems to be more a sequel to the adventures of Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing again, full of resources and stamina) than Dracula himself. For there is no trace of the vampire lord in this flick. Indeed, he is but named here and there by the various characters of the movie. Still, this is a refreshing story (even in our standard when there was so many adaptation of Dracula) that expands the Hammer Mitteleuropa universe and mythos, notably with the so-called cult of the dead found among some humans (usually corrupted and decadent nobility). Seeing this well-made flick even make me at peace with Taste the blood of Dracula, one of the last Hammer outing in the 1970s (which I found at the time awfulâ?¦).

Despite showing again the best qualities of Hammer (if you read my past reviews, you already know that most of them are due to Terence Fisherâ??s and Peter Cushingâ??s talents), this sequel is not without its flaws, especially when compared to its stellar companion, Horror of Dracula (a landmark movie of the horror genre). Some characters donâ??t seems to serve the story at all, like this man in black we see in the beginning (Iâ??m still wondering why so much emphasis was put on him in the first place since, at the end, we still donâ??t know who the hell he is!) and the two female vampires who just watch Van Helsing doing his rampage against their master without doing anything!!!!!

Yet, there is plenty to love too: Baron Meinster is a fine vampire (although definitely not as dark as Christopher Lee) and we found him in a very strange situation for a vampire when we first see him (told you itâ??s a refreshing story!); he is serve by a crazy slave, one that would put many Renfield to shameâ?¦ (and this time, this is a woman). Van Helsing curing his vampire bite is a fine scene too, one that clearly show again all the strengh of this character. Writers used the myth of the vampire to its full possibilities in its representation of sexual taboos and it makes for a vicious movie at times (even the comic relieves are low in this one, praise be God!). A fine, if uneven, sequel of a sortâ?¦.