Anoraks Assemble

Dracula is a 1958 Gothic horror from Hammer, directed by Terence Fisher.

Not only was it the first Hammer film to star Christopher Lee, but it was also the first vampire movie shot in colour.

The story sees Jonathan Harker arrive at Dracula’s castle on the pretext of being the new librarian. Very quickly, we realise that Harker is in fact a vampire hunter and has Dracula in his sights.

After Harker disappears, his friend, Dr. Van Helsing – played by the legend that is Peter Cushing – comes looking for him…..and then the fun really begins.

It is hard to imagine the impact Dracula must have had on audiences back in 1958. From the opening titles with the splattering of blood, it is clear that this is something a bit different.

It looks incredible, with its vibrant colours and healthy dose of blood and gore (at least compared to what audiences of the time were used to). And it is sexy, and I mean super sexy.

Christopher Lee does not say much, but his first appearance at the top of the stairs is very dramatic. And his female victims look as though they might just be enjoying the attentions of the sexy count and his swishy cloak – all very daring for the time!

There are a couple of nice emotional moments during the course of the film, which are very well done. When Harker realises he has been bitten and what fate awaits him, as he bravely writes his final diary entry. And when Van Helsing discover’s Harker’s lifeless body in the crypt and does what he has to do in order to free his friend from his curse.

Christopher Lee is just do damn brilliant in this. He is so imposing and yet seems to almost glide everywhere. Frankly, he is terrifying.

And Peter Cushing is just wonderful as the heroic Van Helsing, who turns into a proper action hero at the finale, when he forces the count into the sunlight and watches him disintegrate into dust.

Dracula is such an important film, one which changed the image of vampires in popular culture. All these years later, it is still essential viewing.