After Jonathan Harker attacks Dracula at his castle, the vampire travels to a nearby city, where he preys on the family of Harker's fiancée. The only one who may be able to protect them is Dr. van Helsing, Harker's friend and fellow-student of vampires, who is determined to destroy Dracula, whatever the cost.
Acting
Lee's 6'5" menace—no dialogue needed, just presence.
Production
Hammer's saturated Technicolor goth aesthetic, invented here.
Practical Effects
That contact-lens stare and genuine cape physics.
Director
Terence Fisher
Peter Cushing
Doctor Van Helsing
Christopher Lee
Count Dracula
Michael Gough
Arthur Holmwood
Melissa Stribling
Mina Holmwood
Carol Marsh
Lucy Holmwood
Olga Dickie
Gerda
John Van Eyssen
Jonathan Harker
Valerie Gaunt
Vampire Woman
Janina Faye
Tania
Charles Lloyd Pack
Doctor Seward
George Merritt
Policeman (uncredited)
George Woodbridge
Landlord (uncredited)
George Benson
Official (uncredited)
Miles Malleson
Marx - Undertaker (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Christopher Lee spoke only 13 lines. He hated the script's dialogue and chose silence instead.
This film resurrected Dracula for the atomic age—Hammer's success spawned 170+ horror films in 15 years.
GB
