Horror of Dracula (1958) Dracula (original title)

Director:

Terence Fisher

Writers:

Jimmy Sangster (screenplay)
Bram Stoker (novel)

Release Date:

8 May 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

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 | Vampire | Count | Castle | Undead

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Peter Cushing	...	Doctor Van Helsing
Christopher Lee	...	Count Dracula
Michael Gough	...	Arthur
Melissa Stribling	...	Mina Holmwood
Carol Marsh	...	Lucy Holmwood
Olga Dickie	...	Gerda
John Van Eyssen	...	Jonathan Harker
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	...	Frontier Official
Miles Malleson	...	Undertaker - J. Marx
Geoffrey Bayldon	...	Porter
Paul Cole	...	Lad
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stedwell Fulcher	...	Man in Coach (scenes deleted)
Humphrey Kent	...	Fat Merchant (scenes deleted)
Judith Nelmes	...	Woman in Coach (scenes deleted)
William Sherwood	...	Priest (scenes deleted)
Guy Mills	...	Coach Driver (uncredited)
Richard Morgan	...	Coach Driver's Companion (uncredited)
John Mossman	...	Hearse Driver (uncredited)

Directed by
Terence Fisher

Writing credits
Jimmy Sangster		(screenplay)
Bram Stoker		(novel)

Produced by
Michael Carreras	....	executive producer
Anthony Hinds	....	producer
Anthony Nelson Keys	....	associate producer (as Anthony Nelson-Keys)

Original Music by
James Bernard

Cinematography by
Jack Asher

Film Editing by
Bill Lenny

Production Design by
Bernard Robinson

Art Direction by
Bernard Robinson

Costume Design by
Molly Arbuthnot

Makeup Department
Philip Leakey	....	makeup artist (as Phil Leaky)
Henry Montsash	....	hair stylist
Roy Ashton	....	assistant makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Don Weeks	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Robert Lynn	....	assistant director (as Bob Lynn)

Art Department
Arthur Banks	....	master plasterer (uncredited)
Charles Davis	....	master carpenter (uncredited)
Eric Hillier	....	props buyer (uncredited)
Mick Lyons	....	construction manager (uncredited)
Don Mingaye	....	draughtsman (uncredited)
Tom Money	....	property master (uncredited)
Lawrence Wren	....	master painter (uncredited)

Sound Department
Jock May	....	sound recordist
Claude Hitchcock	....	boom operator (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Sydney Pearson	....	special effects
Les Bowie	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Peter Diamond	....	stunts (uncredited)
Nosher Powell	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Len Harris	....	camera operator
Jack Curtis	....	chief electrician (uncredited)
Tom Edwards	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Harry Oakes	....	focus puller (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Molly Arbuthnot	....	wardrobe
Rosemary Burrows	....	wardrobe (uncredited)

Editorial Department
James Needs	....	supervising editor

Music Department
John Hollingsworth	....	conductor

Other crew
Doreen Dearnaley	....	continuity

Production Companies

• Hammer Film Productions

Distributors

• J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (1958) (UK) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures (1958) (USA) (theatrical)
• Universal Films S.A. (1958) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• Goldstone Film Enterprises (1963) (USA) (theatrical) (a Seven Arts Reissue) (re-release)
• Warner Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1992) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (1993) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• SBS6 (2003) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Hispamex (19??) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Universal International Pictures (UI) (195?) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (19??) (USA) (VHS)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1987) (Finland) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (Canada) (DVD) (4 film collection)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (USA) (DVD) (4 film collection)
• Warner Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Universal International Pictures (UI)  us releasing agent

Also Known As:

"Dracula" - UK (original title)
"Dracula 1958" - USA (informal English title)

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) | Netherlands:18 (passed with cuts) (original rating) (1958) | Finland:K-16 (1987) | Australia:M | Sweden:15 (re-rating) (1970) | 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:

Apart from assorted snarls and hisses, Count Dracula never actually speaks to anyone other than Jonathan Harker throughout the entire film.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The vampire woman who attacks Harker is wearing 20th century high-heeled shoes.

Quotes:

Count Dracula:Sleep well, Mr. Harker.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Erik: Portrait of a Living Corpse (2010)

A film for every horror fan in every generation!!

This is the definitive version of Dracula. Everything in the film is done to absolute perfection. The portrayal of Dr. Van Helsing and the title character, Dracula, are the best representations, EVER! The two great actors, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are at their best in representing their characters. Unlike Lugosi, Christopher Lee shines in every scene with the ferocity and animal-like tendencies that Dracula should have. And the respectable actor and gentleman, Peter Cushing, takes the character of Van Helsing and makes it his very own. The look on his face at the end of the film shows a man, although exilarated and relieved, who is almost sad that his life's work is nearing a close. The incredible score, written by James Bernard, almost yells the life story of Dracula. The lavish scenes and rich color still hold up in today's world as astounding, original works of art. The gore and blood level is relatively low in today's standards, however, back then, people would be scared out of their wits. This film is a 5 star movie. Grab a loved one, pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and watch a real good horror movie for a change.