Scars of Dracula (DVD, 2001, First 10,000 Have Bonus DVD - Many Faces of Christopher Lee)

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. When SCARS OF DRACULA came to town, I was full of great anticipation and excitement.

SCARS OF DRACULA is one the most violent and graphic of all Hammer's Dracula films, with Christopher Lee's portrayal of the Lord of the Undead particularly brutal and sadistic. It is also one of the few Hammer Dracula films in which the title character actually gets dialogue and a fair amount of screen time. For this reason, it is one of my favorite Hammer films.

First of all, the film does have some pretty obvious shortcomings. The sets do not seem up to Hammer's usual standards, appearing a bit sparse compared to the lavish backdrops Hammer served up in past films. Special Effects by today's standards are a bit silly, particularly the wire-controlled bats, and Dracula's otherwise effective death scene in which a stiff mannequin on a rotating base is clearly evident. That said, the film is effective in other ways.

Christopher Lee is excellent as always, actually getting some pretty lengthy scenes in this outing. The legendary Hammer character actor Michael Ripper turns in his usual great performance, once again as the Innkeeper. Dracula's anger and madness when he punishes his servant with a red-hot sword is one of the most effective scenes in the film.

As any Hammer fan will tell you, one of the most frustrating things about their Dracula films is that Dracula had very little screen time, and often seemed to be an afterthought to the plot. Perhaps the reason I love SCARS OF DRACULA, is that Dracula was actually a central part of the story, and Christopher Lee actually had something to do! I also love the scene in which Dracula climbs the wall of his castle - a very well done effects scene.

In 1999 I had the honor of attending a Fantasy Film Festival in Virginia and met Christopher Lee 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.

SCARS OF DRACULA 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 SCARS OF DRACULA, you will discover the magic and terror that came from the House of Hammer!

Steven Holt
Movie Magic USA