Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) Horror Movie Review

by Dennis LeFevre
(West Virginia)

Released: 1965
Directed by: Terrence Fisher
Written by: John Sansom

Starring:
Christopher Lee as Dracula
Barbara Shelley as Helen Kent
Andrew Keir as Father Sandor
Francis Matthews as Charles Kent

There is a never-ending argument that a sequel can never be better than its original. However, a few sequels have gained this honor, and Dracula: Prince of Darkness is one of those sequels. This masterpiece of Gothic horror picks up ten years after the death of Dracula, which the viewer is shown as the ending of Horror of Dracula serves as the prologue.

Though Dracula is dead, the residents around Castle Dracula still fear him. Father Sandor (Andrew Keir) is introduced stopping the staking of a peasant girl who died of natural causes. He finds garlic hanging from the rafters at the inn. After a harsh scolding of the innkeeper, Father Sandor meets the Kent brothers and their wives, who are traveling from England. Father Sandor warns them to avoid Dracula's castle.

The four travelers continue on their journey. The film follows a "stranded traveler must stay at a haunted house" plot, with the haunted house being Dracula's castle, but never has this plot been so expertly executed. After dinner, they retire to bed. Helen Kent (Barbara Shelley) is afraid evil will befall them, and it does as Dracula's servant Klove (Philip Latham) kills her husband and uses his blood to resurrect Dracula.

The resurrection of Dracula is a highlight of the film. James Bernard's score perfectly accentuates the action and the special effects. It all culminates wonderfully with Dracula claiming his first victim.

Christopher Lee portrayed Dracula many times in his career, but this is by far his best performance in the role. He has no dialogue in the film, but manages to captivate and terrify.

Charles Kent (Francis Matthews) and his wife manage to escape from the castle and flee to a monastery where they are reunited with Father Sandor. Dracula pursues them, and with the help of the fly-eating Ludwig (Thorley Walters), he enters the monastery. Dracula kidnaps Mrs. Kent (Suzan Farmer) after attempting to seduce her in a chilling scene.

The ending of this film is suitable, but in no way as exciting or epic as the ending of Horror of Dracula. Though credit is due for originality, the viewer is left wanting more, and indeed more would come as many sequels were produced in the years to come.

With only its ending open to criticism, this sequel did surpass its original, and is the crown jewel of Hammer Horror.