What it’s about
When Jonathan Harker, a librarian in the employ of Count Dracula (Lee), falls prey to the vampires lust for blood, his friend Dr. Van Helsing (Cushing) discovers the deed, and is emboldened to slay the bloodsucker. But with Dracula now in London and on the hunt for Harkers luscious fiance, Lucy (Carol Marsh), Van Helsing must act soon, before his nemesis pounces.
Why we love it
Hammer Studios horror maestro Terence Fisher gives Bram Stokers Dracula legend an intelligent and openly erotic twist in this bloody good adaptation. Lees creepy turn as the titular Transylvanian (his first of many) still makes my flesh crawl, but Cushing almost steals the picture with his action-hero embodiment of Van Helsing. This is Fishers most innovative gambit, and it pays off in spades. Lush sets and a hair-raising musical score add to the overall effect of Fishers bloody, libidinal twist on the vampire myth.
Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Carol Marsh, Melissa Stribling Terence Fisher