Horror of Dracula (film)

• Release Date: 1958
• Director(s): Terence Fisher
• Writer(s): Jimmy Sangster
• Principal Actors and Roles: Peter Cushing (Abraham Van Helsing); Michael Gough (Arthur Holmwood); Christopher Lee (Count Dracula); Melissa Stribling (Mina Holmwood); Carol Marsh (Lucy Holmwood)

Horror of Dracula is a British film released in 1958 and presented by Hammer Films studio. The horror movie was the first in a series of Dracula films. Its original title was Dracula but its name was changed for the American release so that it would not bear the same name as the 1931 film. The film is largely based on the 1897 novel by the same name by Bram Stoker.

Horror of Dracula reinvents the traditional horror film, using blood, fangs, and gore in color to thrill audiences. It became a hallmark in classic horror films. The 82-minute horror film focuses on a lead vampire and monster, Count Dracula, who is hunted by Jonathan Harker and Dr. Van Helsing. Fisher also directed The Curse of Frankenstein a year earlier, which was Hammer Films’ first attempt at bringing horror to audiences in color and Christopher Lee’s first monster role before Horror of Dracula.

In the film, Dracula’s death used special effects to make it appear as if Dracula was crumbling and his chest caving in shocked audiences. At the same time, it became one of the most famous scenes in horror films. This low budget film impressed many audiences and started a new era of vampire movies.

Plot

The film is set in a castle in Transylvania in the late 1800s. Jonathan Harker’s friend is missing and he believes it’s because of a vampire. In order to track down the vampire, he gets a position as a librarian for Count Dracula. Harker’s task is to record the Count’s books in his massive collection. In reality, he plans to kill the vampire.

At the castle, Harker meets a girl and learns that she is a vampire. He is able to kill her the next day but misses his chance to kill the Count when the sun sets. In the meantime, Dr. Van Helsing comes to visit the castle. By this time, Harker has been bitten by the Count and is a vampire himself.

Dr. Van Helsing shares the news about Harker with his family, including his fiancée Lucy. Lucy has recently become ill but it is not revealed until later that she has also been bitten by the Count and is a vampire. Lucy tries to bite Dr. Van Helsing but he wards her off by holding up a crucifix and then stabs her.

Harker’s brother Arthur Holmwood and Dr. Van Helsing are on the hunt for the Count and the whereabouts of his hearse. They see the hearse leaving the castle carrying a coffin. They are given an address, which they learn is the undertaker’s residence, where the Count’s coffin can be found. Arthur’s wife Mina is given the same address. When they enter the undertaker’s house, they do not find the Count’s coffin. In the meantime, Arthur gives Mina a blood transfusion because he has seen signs the Count may have already bitten her.

Arthur and Dr. Van Helsing continue to search for the Count. When they go to the house where Arthur and Mina live they find the Count’s coffin the basement. The Count leaves with Mina to get back to the castle. In a struggle, the Count tries to bite Dr. Van Helsing but fails. The doctor is able to drive him away with a cross that he makes with two candlesticks. As the sun begins to rise, the Count is forced to go into the sunlight and turns into dust.

Significance

Horror of Dracula ushered in the new modern horror film. It became one of the most famous horror films around the world. Other horror films, such as The Curse of Frankenstein, had just started to be shot in widescreen Technicolor to make the blood more realistic and gruesome; Horror of Dracula was not the first to cross this threshold. The film was such a major hit for the British Hammer Films that they cancelled nearly all of their other planned films to focus just on horrors.

The casting of 6-foot-five-inch Christopher Lee as Dracula, who also had a deep, regal voice, changed audiences’ perceptions of the character they had seen in the 1931 Dracula. Lee transformed Dracula into a monster in every sense. In Horror of Dracula, Dracula is frightening, mesmerizing, and the true epitome of a horror film character. Count Dracula only appears for about seven minutes in the film, but his presence is so scary that it seems he is a major character. Lee starred as Dracula in several other Dracula films. He had flown for the Royal Air Force during World War II and until getting the "monster" role had not achieved much success in the entertainment industry. Cushing’s role as Dr. Van Helsing solidified his career in acting.

Horror of Dracula is set in traditional Transylvania in the late 1800s, but through dialogue, sound effects, and the use of color, it shows audiences that it is presenting a more modern version of the story. At the same time, the film uses sequences that are very traditional. Harker’s diary is used to tell some of the story. The traditional killing of a vampire with a stake through the heart is used repeatedly in the film.

James Bernard created the musical score for the film. For the film, Bernard created a three-note theme that was used for the appearance of Dracula. This theme was used for other Dracula films and became a classic in modern horror films.

Bibliography

Bracker, Ron. Classic Horror Films and the Literature That Inspired Them. Jefferson: McFarland, 2015. Print.

Burton, Alan and Steve Chibnall. Historical Dictionary of British Cinema. Plymouth: Scrarecrow, 2013. Print.

Grant, Barry Keith and Christopher Sharrett, eds. Planks of Reason: Essays on Horror Film. Oxford: Scarecrow, 2004. Print.

Hutchings, Peter. The A to Z of Horror Cinema. Plymouth: Scarecrow, 2008. Print.

Marriott, James. Horror Films. New York: Palgrave, 2004. Electronic.

Nevarez, Lisa, ed. The Vampire Goes to College: Essays on Teaching with the Undead. Jefferson: McFarland, 2014.

Stoker, Bram. Dracula. 1897. Enhanced Media, 2014. Electronic.