HORROR OF DRACULA: Christopher Lee Sucks in 4K

HORROR OF DRACULA (aka Dracula) (4K UHD)

1958 / 82 min

Warner Archive Collection

Available at MovieZyng.com

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

You could argue endlessly over which adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel is the best one. But with all due respect to the groundbreaking 1931 classic with Bela Lugosi, I always thought Hammer Films’ Dracula (US title: Horror of Dracula) was the most entertaining version (and for years, the most aesthetically striking). I’d also argue that no actor played the titular character more effectively - and with more conviction - than Christopher Lee.

That ain’t intended as some kind of hot-take, a stupid term that screams “look at me being a contrarian.” Over the years, Horror of Dracula has become nearly as revered and iconic as Tod Browning’s film. It made a star out of Lee, and along with The Curse of Frankenstein, firmly established Hammer Films as the leading purveyors of gothic horror. This one proved so popular that the studio pumped out several sequels of varying quality (though Lee wisely passed on a few of ‘em). 

The movie itself remains gothic and gory good time (well, gory by 1950’s standards), with elements of sexuality and violence only hinted at in previous versions. Peter Cushing (as Dracula’s nemesis Dr. Van Helsing) and Michael Cough have more actual screen time, but Lee owns this movie with a performance that presents Count Dracula as both seductive and menacing (even when camping things up just a bit). Revisiting the film for this review was also a reminder of how fun vampires can be when portrayed as pure, insatiable evil.

"Just give me the damn ball!"

Speaking of revisiting…Warner Archive serves it up on 4K with two different editions. First is an elaborate multi-disc boxed set with five cuts of the film, loads of bonus features and physical extras (as well as a hefty price tag). We were sent the more wallet-friendly 2-disc set to review, but while it’s not quite as comprehensive in the bonus features department, there’s still some great stuff here, a lot of it brand new. This one includes four cuts of the film, including a restored ‘Director’s Cut’ that’s been largely unavailable in the past. No matter the version, the film has been beautifully restored for 4K in all its gothic, blood red glory, and has never looked or sounded better. 

Historically, Horror of Dracula is one of horror’s most influential vampire films. But setting that aside, it has held up pretty well over time and remains a fun, atmospheric experience, which is well worth revisiting in 4K, no matter what previous version you might own.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4 CUTS OF THE FILM - Uncensored 1.66:1 director’s cut; 1.66:1 UK theatrical cut; uncensored 1.85:1 director’s cut; 1.85:1 US theatrical cut.

INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTOR’S CUT - By John Gore (who owns the rights to Hammer Films).

FEATURETTES - Proving Them Wrong is an enjoyable conversation between Christopher Lee’s niece, Dame Harriet Walker, and biographer Jonathan Rigby; The Road to Dracula is largely a look at director Terence Fisher, featuring biographer Tony Dalton, writers Stephen Laws & Wayne Kinsey, and publisher Dick Klemensen (this is the best of the new bonus features); Gothic for Christians is a analytical video essay read by actor Doug Bradley (Hellraiser).

4 NEW AUDIO COMMENTARIES

ARCHIVAL AUDIO COMMENTARY

CENSOR CARD

CLAPPER BOARDS - Of selected scenes.

OPENING TITLE VARIATIONS - Italian, Spanish and textless.

4 TRAILERS - US, German, textless US, textless German.

8MM CUTDOWNS - Studios used to offer shortened versions (10-20 minutes long) of certain movies for sale on single 8mm reels (pretty much the only way to “own” a film back then). This set includes color and black & white versions. Both have aged terribly, of course, but that’s part of their charm today.