Dracula (1958)

Director:

Terence Fisher

Writers:

Jimmy Sangster (screenplay)
Bram Stoker (novel)

Release Date:

8 May 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Don't Dare See It...Alone!

Plot:

After Jonathan Harker attacks Dracula at his castle (apparently somewhere in Germany), the vampire travels to a nearby city...

Plot Keywords:

Dracula | Count | Vampire | Castle | Psychopath

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Peter Cushing	...	Doctor Van Helsing
Christopher Lee	...	Count Dracula
Michael Gough	...	Arthur
Melissa Stribling	...	Mina
Carol Marsh	...	Lucy
Olga Dickie	...	Gerda
John Van Eyssen	...	Jonathan
Valerie Gaunt	...	Vampire Woman
Janina Faye	...	Tania (as Janine Faye)
Barbara Archer	...	Inga
Charles Lloyd Pack	...	Doctor Seward
George Merritt	...	Policeman
George Woodbridge	...	Landlord
George Benson	...	Official
Miles Malleson	...	Undertaker

Also Known As:

Dracula 1958 (USA)
Horror of Dracula (USA)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

UK:12A (re-rating) (2007) | Norway:16 (1958) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | USA:Approved (PCA #18981) | UK:15 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) | Argentina:16 | Finland:(Banned) (1958) | West Germany:12 | Sweden:(Banned) (1958-1970)

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Company:

Hammer Film Productions

Trivia:

In the United States the title was changed to "Horror of Dracula" to avoid confusion with the classic 1931 version (Dracula (1931)). This was a real concern since the Bela Lugosi version was still being booked into theaters (through Realart) until the Shock Theatre package of classic Universal horror films was released to television.

Goofs:

Continuity: The scar burned into Mina's palm by the cross changes its appearance completely when it is seen for a second time.

Quotes:

Count Dracula: Sleep well, Mr. Harker.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Beloved Count (2007) (V)

First Color Version Of Dracula Is An Excellent Horror Film

Hammer's Dracula is an energetic, intense, very cinematic adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic tale. The film does not waste a second, condensing the original story in a very effective manner, and inventing a few new twists in the process. Many years ago, when I first watched the film, it disappointed me. A second viewing did the trick and the movie's exuberant (if a bit simplistic) approach grabbed me by the neck (pun intended). It is not without flaws (I still think Christopher Lee's Dracula is a mere cipher), but essentially, this is a story told with passion. Peter Cushing is definitely the best movie Van Helsing we have (resolute, intelligent, compassionate, fearless, etc.). You can sense Cushing's intensity even when he is sitting quietly on a chair! Not sure why I did not like it the first time, but now I love it and I think it is one of Hammer's best movies, somewhere between "The Devil Rides Out" and "Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter."