The Brides of Dracula (1960)

As they say in my country - same crap in different package. There are some Dracula movies that present original stories and even if they have no other qualities they are at least entertaining. Unfortunately, most of Dracula movies are basically the same story with variations in details, and this one is one of that majority. There are no major flaws, but it just rehashes same old story in same old way and that makes it redundant. If you never saw original Dracula or any other old Dracula movie you may find this interesting, but if you saw at least few of its predecessors this movie will be complete waste of time.5/10

I had already seen the third film from British Hammer (Horror) Studios, Prince of Darkness, before this second film in the series of sequels, but it doesn't really matter, I was just looking forward to watching it, directed by Terence Fisher (The Curse of Frankenstein, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Mummy). Basically it continues where Dracula left off, the count, monarch of all vampires, is dead, but his disciples live on to spread terror to victims of Transylvania. Young French schoolteacher Marianne Danielle (Yvonne Monlaur) is heading to a small village to take a teaching position, but she is abandoned by the coach driver at a village inn, locals there are giving her warnings, which she ignores. Out of the blue, Baroness Meinster (Great Expectations' Martita Hunt) invites Marianne to stay the night at her castle, she accepts, the only other person there is her servant Greta (Freda Jackson). However during the night, Marianne sees a man in a balcony, she learns it is the son of the Baroness, the Baron Meinster (David Peel), who has become insane. Later Marianne sees the Baron standing over the balcony, looking like he will jump, she goes to his room and finds he is chained, he claims his mother has imprisoned him. Convinced he is the victim, Marianne decides to help the Baron escape and steals the key to his chains, but this was a trap, he reveals himself to be a vampire, Marianne runs away from the castle in terror, and collapses in the woods. Marianne is found exhausted by Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing), who has been invited to the village by a local priest Father Stepnik, she has no memory of what happened, and is not familiar with vampire terms that Van Helsing tells her, he takes her to the school she is to be employed. Van Helsing visits the young girl he has been called to see, who has died, he recognises she has been bitten by a vampire and requests she is not buried, later Greta visits the coffin and helps her to awaken from the dead as a vampire herself. Meanwhile the Baron turns his mother into a vampire also, biting her neck, Van Helsing realises "vampirism" is spreading in the village, he sees ladies becoming "undead" monsters, with the ability to turn into bats and fly away, so one by one he cures them of this terror, when he gets the opportunity to drive a stake to the heart. Following the deaths of Greta and the Baroness, Van Helsing is left to face Baron Meinster, who has abducted Marianne, a chase ensues and a fire is started at the windmill, where the Baron had been hiding, in the end the Baron is defeated when the windmill sail is positioned to form a gigantic shadow forming a crucifix which goes over the Baron, he dies, Van Helsing comforts Marianne as the mill burns down. Also starring Miles Malleson as Dr. Tobler, Henry Oscar as Herr Lang, Mona Washbourne as Frau Lang, Andree Melly as Gina and Victor Brooks as Hans. Cushing gives a good performance as the man who will thwart all vampires to stop the spread of the "disease", Peel is a dull substitute for Sir Christopher Lee, he did not reprise his role as he worried about being typecast, but he returned for the following film, and many more after, Dracula only appears in the title and is mentioned once. Disciple of Dracula was suggested as an alternative title, this would have made more sense, "brides" don't really come into the story, it has the classic Gothic elements expected, and the atmosphere is fair, I don't know if I fully agree with critics ratings, but it is a good enough horror. Worth watching, in my opinion!

An excellent slice of early Hammer, showcasing all of the Gothic atmosphere we have come to expect from the company. THE BRIDES OF Dracula has a fast pace, which is somewhat unusual compared to other films of the time, but it keeps the action moving along nicely and the tension never lets up for a second. The sets for this film are excellent and the camera-work also impressive. It is an injustice to merely say that the film looks nice; it is in fact beautiful. If one film were needed to showcase Hammer horror at it's finest, then this would be it.Peter Cushing is once again superb in his role as the stern Doctor Van Helsing, courageous and brave, battling the vampires at every turn. Yvonne Monlaur is also very pretty in her role as the heroine, and is not the screaming girl we are used to seeing in some other Hammer films. She is more than adequate and quite memorable too. David Peel looks suitably handsome as the Baron, and there is something strange about him which makes him a very good vampire.There are a number of substantial supporting actors and actresses, such as Martita Hunt, a suitably fearsome old woman, and Freda Jackson who gives a performance which recalls Dwight Frye in some aspects (the manic laughter being one). Miles Malleson turns up as comic relief yet again after his role in Hammer's original Dracula, and it is always a pleasure to see Michael Ripper in a role, however small.With excellent production values, an appropriately powerful score, and some very memorable scenes, as well as a brilliant ending (truly ingenious), this film is a good, well-rounded slice of Gothic dread from Hammer. There are even some Freudian elements added into the brew. The only criticism would be that the plot is rather shallow and simple, but that doesn't detract from the film at all. A worthy sequel in every sense of the word.

This movie starts out really good... enter Van Helsing and it stays a good movie for awhile then somewhat goes down hill. The ending was OK - I liked the idea of the windmill - in fact that is very creepy! To me the movie hits a lull around 50 min to an hour into the film but does pick back up in the end.David Peel was pretty good as Baron Meinster but just not very convincing as a vampire IMO. Martita Hunt is ideal for the role of Baroness Meinster - she is quite good in this movie. Yvonne Monlaur was very pleasing to watch as Marianne. And Peter Cushing is, once again, smashing as Doctor Van Helsing.Just some random thoughts on the title of the film because the title is a bit disappointing - yes The Brides of Dracula does fit it to a degree because as they basically said in the beginning narration that Dracula is dead but his brood is still around but maybe a title like "Meinster Manor", "Castle Meinster" or even "The Baron" would have fit the film better. But I guess they needed "Dracula" in the title to help tie in Dr. Van Helsing's part. Hummm... why does a film that surrounds Dracula have to have his name in the title? Personally I would have liked to see this title reserved for Dracula's 3 brides.Anyway, I would have rated the film higher except for the fact there was a bit of a 30 minute lull.6.5/10