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Dracula (1958)

poster

UK quad poster

Related Media

trailer for the 2007 BFI rerelease of Dracula

Also known as:

The Horror of Dracula (USA)

Starring:

Peter Cushing
Christopher Lee
Michael Gough
Melissa Stribling
John Van Eyssen

Status: In Release

Category: Film

Release dates:
May 22, 1958 (UK - Theatrical)
November 2, 2007 (UK - Re-release)

Genre: Gothic Horror

Country of origin: UK

Language: English

Running time: 81 mins

Directed by: Terence Fisher

Written by: Jimmy Sangster

Produced by: Anthony Hinds

Synopsis

Dr. Van Helsing, investigating the death of his friend concludes that Jonathan Harker was the victim of a blood-sucking vampire. When Harker's fiancée, Lucy, becomes trapped by the terrifying force and hypnotic power of Count Dracula, Van Helsing releases her tortured soul by driving a stake through her heart. But Dracula persists in seeking revenge against Harker, targeting Lucy's beautiful sister, Mina. Van Helsing swears to exorcise this evil forever by confronting the vile and depraved Count himself.

In 2007 the British Film Institute re-released Dracula in the UK in a restored and remastered version on both 35mm and digitalprint. This hybrid version restores the British title card.

Photos

UK quad poster

Dracula and Lucy

Jonathan Harker (John Van Eyssen)

Articles

28 September 2011, Classic Hammer horrors air on TCM (US) in October

TCM are airing a salute to Hammer with their October schedule in the US and Canada. A number of classic Hammer horrors will be screened during the month,...

14 September 2011, Dracula Resurrected!

Marcus Hearn reports on a remarkable discovery by an enterprising Hammer fan In 2007 Hammer and the BFI collaborated on a restoration of Dracula that...

18 March 2011, Michael Gough (1916 - 2011)

Jonathan Rigby pays tribute to the star of Dracula and The Phantom Of The Opera, who died yesterday. In 1957, Michael Gough’s casting in Dracula was...

17 September 1998, Score Draw

Composer James Bernard, whose work dominates the forthcoming compilation album. Work is almost complete on the new soundtrack album The Hammer Film Music...

Comments

macaulaymulgte

15 May 2012, 7:17pm

the best hammer dracula ever made. I was only 12 when i saw it at the cinema and as I was tall for my age I was able to get in as they thought i was 16. I've seen over 1000 times since. a real hamer classic.

sabre

26 Mar 2012, 10:38am

I was shocked to read that some of the film was burned as there will never be another horror film like it with those two lead actors, I used to sneak into the cinema to see it as I was too young to watch it I hope you can restore it.

dracula737

23 Jan 2012, 7:56pm

Stupid me I put a question mark

dracula737

22 Jan 2012, 2:18pm

This movie has a brilliant climax.It is also scary.This is a astounding and is well up there with my favourite films?

Richard Alan Scott

29 Dec 2011, 5:26am

What can I say? The classic. Best confrontation scene of all time between not only Drac and Van Helsing but Chris and Peter as well! Always known as Horror of Dracula to us, of course, and beloved, now and forever.

Satanic Rites of Simon

24 Nov 2011, 7:36pm

The entrance of Dracula in this film is a masterstroke in mis-direction. We see his shadowy form at the top of the stairs, accompanied by the crashing impact of James Bernard's score. We expect a cheesy moment of horror, but what we get instead is a slow descent followed by a polite greeting. This film is a touch of class, definately not for sadists only!

nursedave47

01 Nov 2011, 7:26pm

Great movie. Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Can't get better than that.

bigguy2011

17 Oct 2011, 5:15am

i have this also hammer rocks christopher lee is my favorite actor

codenamecuckoo

08 Oct 2011, 8:57am

The best Dracula movie ever made, thanks to the stunning visuals and the intensity of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. I agree with everyone who says we need a definitive release, although I think it should be released on DVD as well as blu-ray, because not all of us own a blu-ray player :-)

smithpm81

14 Sep 2011, 7:53am

agree totally philmfan, and this goes for many other titles too

philmfan

20 Aug 2011, 1:21am

There's just one issue at stake here - when is Dracula coming out in a lush, lovingly restored blu-ray edition with tons of extras, including lots of input and commentary from Christopher Lee? And not just in the U.K. but here in America as well? There are lots of great Hammer films to be released on DVD, but until Dracula comes out in a fantastic blu-ray edition you've pretty much released nothing. It is the very heart of Hammer Films. And if a blu-ray edition is NOT forthcoming then someone had better get on the ball and start compiling material (esp. commentary) for it before we lose anyone else from the production.

guvnor1

13 Aug 2011, 12:25am

In my opinion the best horror film of all time.

BaronessMeinster

11 Aug 2011, 8:54pm

Perhaps best adaptation of Stoker´s novel, although not very faithful.

Hitman

19 Jun 2011, 4:01pm

Following on from the success of Curse Of Frankenstein, Hammer tackle the lord of the Undead next. Lee is an inspired choice as Dracula bringing an air of menacing sensuality to the role. Cushing is the perfect foil as Van Helsing. The off screen duo of Fisher and Sangster once again combine to create another gothic masterpiece. The sets are great (particularly Dracula's castle) & Bernard's wonderfully gothic score add's to the atmosphere. Once again everything just clicks here. An absolute classic!

Biggfeet

20 May 2011, 4:51pm

Some of the most iconic moments ever in cinema. The best Dracula and Van Helsing ever too. One thing has always bothered me about the film. In the climatic scenes as Dracula dies we don't see a proper death but there are photographs of Chris Lee in heavy make-up as if he is burning. Did the censor cut this and is it still in preserved?

Countlee88

02 Apr 2011, 9:38pm

My favorite Dracula film, The scene where Sir Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing were fighting in library towards the end has to be one of the best HAMMER scenes ever!!!! Loved it! :)

DrLamontstein95

28 Mar 2011, 4:42pm

One of the best! I could imagine Lugosi and Lee in one Dracula picture together called "Dracula and Son"! That scene of Lee's bloody red eyes just freaked me out! Really scary in fact I would watch videos on YouTube like the trailer and just when that scene came I would run round behind my chair! Also the ending scene! Brilliant effects! I do wish we could see the full version of the ending with more of the disintegration scenes! But overall 10/10! Thank you Hammer!

kinogeek

10 Mar 2011, 11:07am

I first saw this - taped - from a late night BBC 1 double bill with Curse of Frankenstein (around December 1984?) on our rented VHS player! I was immediately drawn in by James Bernard's bombastic and truly intense title score DRA - CU - LAAA!!! and which ended with blood splattering across the Count's coffin. Peter Cushing is delivers a measured and precise performance as the investigating Van Helsing, Christopher Lee towers in his limited screen presence - so much so that you feel he is in the film much more than he actually is - and that amazing, dashing climax with Van Helsing and Dracula clashing in Castle Dracula. I love the two candlesticks being formed in the shape of a Crucifix and the light pouring into the great hall. This film will stay with me forever. Fantastic!

karloff1931

25 Oct 2010, 6:24pm

this is my second favorite hammer horror film after "the curse of frankenstein." for my money, "dracula" hasn't got quite so good a narrative but the acting, direction, music are all top notch. peter cushing plays van helsing the way only he could, as a crusading, determined, brave and strong-willed character who could prove himself a match for dracula at any time. speaking of which, christopher lee plays the character with great animal magnetism and also with a seductive and sexual air about him. it's a slight pity that he isn't in the film very often after the opening 15 minutes or so. nevertheless, the climatic scene between lee and cushing is worth waiting for as i rate it as one of the best sequences out of all the hammer films i have seen. i love the stirring and powerful music score from james bernard but especially the music that's used for the end credits. the supporting cast are pretty good and they all play their roles well but this film shall always belong to those two horror giants peter cushing and christopher lee.

Gwaan

23 Oct 2010, 11:49pm

It would be really great if a Region 2 DVD version of this great film could be released! You can currently get all of the other Dracula films in Region 2 format, but not the original and best.

Blackhaggis

17 Oct 2010, 5:20am

What can you say about this film the birth of the greatest portral of the count ever

snakeater

03 Oct 2010, 6:04am

PLEASE,PLEASE SAY IT WILL BE RELEASED HERE IN THE U.S,HAMMER NEEDS TO SEE NEW LIFE HERE ON BLU-RAY AND THIS WOULD BE IDEAL. CHRISTOPHER LEE IS THE GREATEST COUNT DRACULA THERE WAS....NO ONE WILL EVER DUPLICATE!!!!!!!!!

andy

16 Sep 2010, 10:45am

certainly hammer's best film, a cinematic tour de force that still has the power to chill blood to the bone!

alandhopewell

15 Sep 2010, 7:42pm

THIS is the one! I don't recall how many times I've seen it, but it STILL makes the donuts!

Eamonn

14 Sep 2010, 1:47pm

Surely with the new print available from the BFI this film is ripe for a lovely Blu-Ray edition?

Daripa

01 Jan 2010, 12:36pm

My favourite Dracula movie, though I don't own it at the moment. (I'm also quite fond of the BBC production of 1977 with Louis Jourdan in the title role). I used to have the Hammer Dracula (Horror of Dracula in US) on VHS but it wore out. This is a great site and it's nice to be able to contribute and comment. However, one gripe related to my opening comment: why on earth is the original Hammer Dracula not available (at least, that's how it appears) on DVD in the UK, (or to download from iTunes UK) when the others all appear to be? Universal have their original Dracula available to buy, after all. I do feel this is a glaring omission.