Although entirely different to Hammer's Dracula films starring Chrisopher Lee, Jess Franco's "Count Dracula" aka. "Nachts, Wenn Dracula Erwacht" of 1970 is a creepy and great film, and in many aspects the most loyal adaption of Bram Stoker's novel. Director Jess Franco must be one of the most prolific directors in the history of cinema (definitely the most prolific I know), and his 180+ movies include big-time stinkers as well as masterpieces. One of his great films, "Count Dracula" is a movie with a very creepy atmosphere, a great, eerie score and an excellent cast, starring Christopher Lee as Dracula, Herbert Lom as Van Helsing and Klaus Kinski as Renfield.
As mentioned above, this movie is probably the most loyal adaption of Bram Stoker's novel, so I don't suppose a further plot description is necessary. I am a huge fan of the Hammer Dracula flicks and the 1958 Dracula is one of my all-time favorite movies. Although this Jess Franco version of the story differs entirely from these great classics of British Horror, this is a highly atmospheric, creepy and original flick that must not be missed by a Horror fan.
Christopher Lee is, as always, brilliant in the role of Dracula. The prince of darkness is wearing a mustache this time, one more aspect in which this movie is loyal to the novel. Herbert Lom is a great actor and fits very well in the role of an elderly Van Helsing, although my personal opinion is that he can't compete with Peter Cushing, who will always be unmatched in the role of Van Helsing he played in the Hammer films. Last but not least, Klaus Kinski delivers a brilliant performance as Renfield. Kinski was predestined to play madmen, and the particular role of Renfield fits this great actor perfectly. The cast furthermore includes Paul Muller (Nightmare Castle), and beautiful Maria Rohm and Soledad Miranda, and the gloominess of the atmosphere is even increased by the great, eerie score composed by Bruno Nicolai. "Count Dracula" has a few cheesy moments too, but all things considered this is another great Dracula flick starring Lee, and definitely one of the best films directed by Jess Franco. Highly recommended!
As mentioned above, this movie is probably the most loyal adaption of Bram Stoker's novel, so I don't suppose a further plot description is necessary. I am a huge fan of the Hammer Dracula flicks and the 1958 Dracula is one of my all-time favorite movies. Although this Jess Franco version of the story differs entirely from these great classics of British Horror, this is a highly atmospheric, creepy and original flick that must not be missed by a Horror fan.
Christopher Lee is, as always, brilliant in the role of Dracula. The prince of darkness is wearing a mustache this time, one more aspect in which this movie is loyal to the novel. Herbert Lom is a great actor and fits very well in the role of an elderly Van Helsing, although my personal opinion is that he can't compete with Peter Cushing, who will always be unmatched in the role of Van Helsing he played in the Hammer films. Last but not least, Klaus Kinski delivers a brilliant performance as Renfield. Kinski was predestined to play madmen, and the particular role of Renfield fits this great actor perfectly. The cast furthermore includes Paul Muller (Nightmare Castle), and beautiful Maria Rohm and Soledad Miranda, and the gloominess of the atmosphere is even increased by the great, eerie score composed by Bruno Nicolai. "Count Dracula" has a few cheesy moments too, but all things considered this is another great Dracula flick starring Lee, and definitely one of the best films directed by Jess Franco. Highly recommended!