I watched a movie called Satanic Rites of Dracula, directed
by Alan Gibson, released in 1973. It stars Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing,
primarily (though they are absent for most of the film). This is the final
Hammer produced Dracula film to have Lee as Dracula. The story concerns a
secret agent that narrowly escapes a ritual sacrifice and reports to his
superiors all that he has seen. Scotland Yard gets involved in the case and
madness ensues to try to find what this cult is and how it operates. They consult
with Van Helsing, played by Peter Cushing, though he is a descendent of the
original Van Helsing. It takes place in 1973 so everything is quite 1970’s. I
really don’t want to say too much about the plot because it has some twists
that, though they are obvious in some cases, it is still important not to spoil
them.
I had seen a review for this elsewhere and that reviewer said this film is terrible. I would have to agree. As I said before this is the final Hammer Dracula film and it does show. It also seems like Hammer Productions were trying to be more like a kind of spy film because a majority of the plot begins with that. And there is a LOT of talking in this film, for the first half of the movie. Now, I understand that there needs to be explanatory dialogue but it becomes tedious because they are in a room and static. I have seen better ways to explain a plot. I must admit too that this plot is surprisingly complex for being a horror/Dracula movie. I do have to hand it to Hammer, they certainly went out with a puzzler and a bang.
The main agent, played by Michael Coles, was a pretty savvy character and really brought a bit of fisticuffs to the mix in most of his scenes. Peter Cushing still gives a great performance with every bit of dialogue he has, chewing scenery as Van Helsing and making him as compelling as Dracula. Christopher Lee has an economy of lines in the film which is legendary because Lee thought the writers often didn’t utilize Dracula’s lines enough. It works to his favour because Lee’s Dracula has a mysterious air about him even more so and creates a Dracula that stays with you after the film is over. This movie was a chore to get through, sadly. It is a good film; don’t get me wrong however all the elements, plot twists, strange ending and general disarray of plot and story kind of kill it when you watch.
I also want to make clear that I watched the Elvira Movie Macabre Coffin Collection version so I’m not sure if it was cut down or some parts were missing to allow for time. Though I don’t think it would really matter too much if a few minutes were cut here and there.
Overall, it was a good movie, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing give solid performances and I would suggest watching it for that reason alone.
I had seen a review for this elsewhere and that reviewer said this film is terrible. I would have to agree. As I said before this is the final Hammer Dracula film and it does show. It also seems like Hammer Productions were trying to be more like a kind of spy film because a majority of the plot begins with that. And there is a LOT of talking in this film, for the first half of the movie. Now, I understand that there needs to be explanatory dialogue but it becomes tedious because they are in a room and static. I have seen better ways to explain a plot. I must admit too that this plot is surprisingly complex for being a horror/Dracula movie. I do have to hand it to Hammer, they certainly went out with a puzzler and a bang.
The main agent, played by Michael Coles, was a pretty savvy character and really brought a bit of fisticuffs to the mix in most of his scenes. Peter Cushing still gives a great performance with every bit of dialogue he has, chewing scenery as Van Helsing and making him as compelling as Dracula. Christopher Lee has an economy of lines in the film which is legendary because Lee thought the writers often didn’t utilize Dracula’s lines enough. It works to his favour because Lee’s Dracula has a mysterious air about him even more so and creates a Dracula that stays with you after the film is over. This movie was a chore to get through, sadly. It is a good film; don’t get me wrong however all the elements, plot twists, strange ending and general disarray of plot and story kind of kill it when you watch.
I also want to make clear that I watched the Elvira Movie Macabre Coffin Collection version so I’m not sure if it was cut down or some parts were missing to allow for time. Though I don’t think it would really matter too much if a few minutes were cut here and there.
Overall, it was a good movie, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing give solid performances and I would suggest watching it for that reason alone.
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