The Brides of Dracula.

Review #1280: The Brides of Dracula.

Cast: 
Peter Cushing (Doctor Van Helsing), Martita Hunt (Baroness Meinster), Yvonne Monlaur (Marianne), Freda Jackson (Greta), David Peel (Baron Meinster), Miles Malleson (Doctor Tobler), Henry Oscar (Herr Lang), Mona Washbourne (Frau Lang), Andrée Melly (Gina), and Victor Brooks (Hans) Directed by Terence Fisher (#257 - The Curse of Frankenstein, #258 - Dracula (1958), #272 - The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), #469 - The Revenge of Frankenstein, #833 - Spaceways, #857 - Frankenstein Created Woman, #858 - Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, and #859 - Dracula: Prince of Darkness)

Review: 
One wonders how to make a horror sequel that will properly live up to the scares delivered by the original, particularly when its title villain isn't even included. The film retains the same director and writer from the first film (Fisher and Jimmy Sangster), albeit with additional help in terms of re-writes from others such as Peter Bryan, Edward Percy, and an uncredited Anthony Hinds. The original idea (titled "Disciple of Dracula", naturally) was a focus on an acolyte of Dracula, who would make a cameo (and likely have just as much dialogue as the character would have in further sequels, no doubt). Lee was not big on appearing in the film in any case (one would have to wait six further years to see him as the title character again and six more years to see Cushing return as well), so re-writes had to be done, which meant including Van Helsing along other things. Even the ending was re-written, in part because of Cushing's objection to the idea of releasing bats through an arcane ritual, seeing it as against his character (one could wonder if there would be quite a cost in getting a whole bunch of bats to fly out at once too), which I admit is pretty correct. You want to know what their solution was? Moving a bunch of sails in a mill in a certain shape after having thrown holy water on him. It can't be called the silliest way to kill the vampire, seeing as I've watched these films go from the obvious way (sunlight) to running water, punctured by a cross from a converted atheist, and my particular amusing one: a hawthorn bush. With that in mind, how is the actual film? Honestly, it is a pretty okay film, considering the fact that its vampire is nowhere near as scary in presence as from before, with Cushing being the highlight as one would expect. It does fine with its runtime of 85 minutes in giving off a careful controlled pace that makes for a few scares without aiming for anything too ridiculous or pale in tone for too long. Sure, it can be silly at times (particularly when it comes to its lead vampire trying to romance others), but one can still have a nice time with where it aims to go without being frustrated at wanting something else on screen. Cushing sure can drive a film forward with calm energy, being as usefully entertaining as one should see from an actor like him, where cliches can do no serious harm. He can talk about vampires or some other force of nature any day of the week, really, and one can follow him anywhere. Monlaur does okay, generally being a mild contrast to the calmly grim presence of Hunt and Jackson, with each doing just well at keeping the film afoot at times. Peel is nowhere near as scary or as interesting as Lee when it comes to a vampire that can be so alluring yet so deadly, especially when it comes to his eyes, but at least one can watch him try to act against Cushing without reaching vigorously for the remote. It's an average affair all around, but it keeps its foundations mostly secure without going completely off the deep end and giving some interesting moments to go along with it. The passion that drives these films seem authentic, where seeing one of these kind of films doesn't make the next one irritatingly familiar. It doesn't compare greatly with its predecessor or its successor, but this film could prove just fine for anyone in the right spirit for some old fashioned (yet neatly crafted) horror from the folks at Hammer from a time long since passed yet highly welcome here.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.