Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (DVD, 2004)

I grew up in the 1960s eagerly awaiting the next Hammer fright film to arrive in my hometown theatre. I was particularly excited if it was a Dracula or Frankenstein film, and even more pumped up if it starred Christopher Lee or Peter Cushing. One of my favorite Hammer films was and remains DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE, starring the legendary Christopher Lee, as well as the lovely Veronica Carlson, and the great Hammer character actor Michael Ripper.

DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE was Hammer's biggest money-maker. Production values were excellent, not quite as good as in Hammer films of the late 1950s and early 60s, when such classics as HORROR OF DRACULA, CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, THE MUMMY, REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN and DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS were produced, but far superior to Hammer films produced in the 1970s, such as the fairly awful SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA, when production values were at an all-time low and Hammer was running out of steam. The story is excellent and unusual film techniques using colored lenses add to the gothic feel of the film. Veronica Carlson is one of Hammer's most beautiful victims, with Michael Ripper outstanding as usual as the Inn Keeper. Christopher Lee is as menacing as ever, and remains the screen's most frightening incarnation of the Lord of the Undead, Count Dracula. Dracula's death scene is the best of any Dracula film, and is not to be missed. I don't want to give it away in case you haven't seen it but trust me, it is a truly impressive end to Count Dracula, at least until TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA was released by Hammer the following year, and Dracula was back once more making life miserable for those unlucky enough to be in his way.

In 1999 I had the honor of attending a Fantasy Film Festival in Virginia and met Christopher Lee, Veronica Carlson and Michael Ripper. It was Michael Ripper's only trip to the U.S. and he passed away a short time after the festival. It was exciting to meet these legends from my childhood days. They were all friendly and gracious, with Christopher Lee about to regain great notoriety as the evil Count Dooku in the new Star Wars films, as well as the menacing wizard in Lord of the Rings.

DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE is a must for any fan of classic Hammer films. In spite of tight budgets and short production schedules, HAMMER produced a look and feel normally found with much bigger budget movies, and created some of the best fantasy films ever made, thanks to a dedicated and talented crew of technicians and actors. In DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE, you will discover the magic and terror that came from the House of Hammer!

Steven Holt
Movie Magic USA