FREDDIE FRANCIS

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB.5. 

United Kingdom, 1968.  Hammer Films.  Screenplay by Anthony Hinds, based on the character created by Bram Stoker.   Cinematography by Arthur Grant.   Produced by Aida Young.  Music by James Bernard.  Production Design by Bernard Robinson.  Costume Design by Jill Thompson.  Film Editing by Spencer Reeve.  

All the Hammer horror films starring Christopher Lee as the evil Count Dracula have an appeal of their own, but that doesn’t necessarily actually make them any good. Lee returns after he is accidentally awakened by the spilled blood of a fallen mountain climber, returning to a nearby village in the hopes that he can get into the throat of the beautiful young woman who lives there. His competition? Her studly boyfriend, of course! The film’s attempts at character development are admirable, but they don’t really get you very far.  The production design with its waxen cobwebs everywhere is a delight, and Lee always seems to be having a good time bringing the old guy back from the coffin time and time again.