Christopher Lee

For many years after becoming one of the definitive movie Draculas in the 1958 Hammer Films classic Horror of Dracula (in which he was pitted against Peter Cushing as Dr. Van Helsing), Christop...( read more  read more... )her Lee refused to reprise his role as filmdom's most infamous vampire. He finally returned to the role in this belated 1965 sequel, once again directed by Hammer studios veteran Terence Fisher. It's not as effective or as intelligently written as the earlier film, but it has become a minor classic in its own right for horror connoisseurs, notably due to the combination of eerie atmosphere (a Terence Fisher specialty) and violence that was, by mid-'60s standards, quite bloody and graphic. Indeed, the story begins when Count Dracula's servant revives his master by hanging an unsuspecting victim over the tomb containing Dracula's ashes and draining the blood from the unlucky fellow so it can trickle into the tomb and restore life to the remains of the undead vampire! It's this kind of unholy communion that was a trademark of Hammer horror, and Dracula: Prince of Darkness continues with all the requisite ingredients--including a group of tourists who arrive at the count's secluded castle just in time to feed his insatiable bloodlust! True horror fans will appreciate the performance by Hammer regular Barbara Shelley, widely considered to be one of her best. So, file your fangs and enjoy Lee in his most famous and immortal role! --Jeff Shannon

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63% liked it

7,322 ratings

Unrated

Directed by: Terence Fisher

Release Date: January 12, 1966

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DVD Release Date: May 26, 1998

Stats: 197 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (197)


  • February 3, 2008
    Pending Review...

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  • October 21, 2007
    Second sequel to "Dracula" which picks up where that film left off. It even begins with the final fight between Dracula and Van Helsing, a misty halo disguising the disparity between aspect ratios. Cushing does not star here and would not return to do battle with the arch-vampire...( read more) until "Dracula A.D. 1972".
  • June 24, 2007
    This version is not much more than a remake with some different actors and the names of the victims changed. Still good in places though, and the ending isn't bad either.
  • October 3, 2006
    Exciting, sumptuous Dracula story with a completely wordless performance by Lee, playing Dracula at his most beastial, primal, stage. Neat movie.
  • February 16, 2009
    A decent Hammer Horror and sequel to Horror of Dracula. Christopher Lee returns as the count, this time virtually mute (Lee hated his lines so much he chose to play his character dialogue free). Barbara Shelley's character only became bearable after her vampire transformation. Ye...( read more)s, she was the only one who caught on that something wasn't right, but damn did she complain alot!
  • July 5, 2009
    Worth one look only if you have nothing better to do
  • June 10, 2009
    just out of curiosity..
  • May 1, 2009
    Immortality of defiiance...
  • April 16, 2009
    this movie begin with a porno and then something happens but you have no idea whats happening, if you really a vampire freak, sure go ahead but for me no thanks
  • April 6, 2009
    Christopher Lee at his best

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