Dracula (1958)

Director:

Terence Fisher

Writers:

Jimmy Sangster (screenplay)
Bram Stoker (novel)

Release Date:

8 May 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Don't Dare See It...Alone!

Plot:

After Jonathan Harker attacks Dracula at his castle (apparently somewhere in Germany), the vampire travels to a nearby city...

Plot Keywords:

Dracula | Count | Vampire | Castle | Psychopath

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Peter Cushing	...	Doctor Van Helsing
Christopher Lee	...	Count Dracula
Michael Gough	...	Arthur
Melissa Stribling	...	Mina
Carol Marsh	...	Lucy
Olga Dickie	...	Gerda
John Van Eyssen	...	Jonathan
Valerie Gaunt	...	Vampire Woman
Janina Faye	...	Tania (as Janine Faye)
Barbara Archer	...	Inga
Charles Lloyd Pack	...	Doctor Seward
George Merritt	...	Policeman
George Woodbridge	...	Landlord
George Benson	...	Official
Miles Malleson	...	Undertaker

Also Known As:

Dracula 1958 (USA)
Horror of Dracula (USA)

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

UK:12A (re-rating) (2007) | Norway:16 (1958) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | USA:Approved (PCA #18981) | UK:15 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) | Argentina:16 | Finland:(Banned) (1958) | West Germany:12 | Sweden:(Banned) (1958-1970)

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Company:

Hammer Film Productions

Trivia:

The film takes numerous liberties with the story of Bram Stoker's novel, including (SPOILERS FOLLOW): In the novel Dracula can transform into a bat, a wolf, a horde of rats, and a mist, while in the film he does not have these abilities. * Dracula is an old man at the beginning of the story in the novel and becomes younger as he feeds on blood, while in the film he stays the same age throughout. * Dracula has only one bride in the film and is killed by Jonathan Harker, while in the novel Dracula has three brides and they are killed by Van Helsing. * In the film Mina is Arthur's wife and Lucy is Arthur's sister and Jonathan's fiancée, while in the novel Mina is Jonathan's fiancée and unrelated to Arthur, and Lucy is Arthur's fiancée. * Dr. Seward, a major character in the novel, appears only briefly in the film. * Dracula is killed in the film by Van Helsing, who exposes him to sunlight, while in the novel Dracula is killed by Jonathan Harker and Quincey Morris (a character not included in the film), who cut his throat and impale his heart simultaneously with knives. * Sunlight is lethal to vampires in the film, while in the novel it merely reduces their supernatural powers. * In the novel Jonathan Harker visits Dracula's castle to sell him real estate, unaware that he is a vampire, while in the film he visits Dracula's castle with the knowledge of his vampire nature and the intention to kill him, posing as a librarian. * In the novel Jonathan Harker survives the events of the story, while in the film he is turned into a vampire and killed by Van Helsing. * In the novel Dracula's castle is in Transylvania and Jonathan, Mina, Lucy, and Arthur live in England, while in the film Dracula's castle is in Klausenburg and only a short distance from the city in which Jonathan, Mina, Lucy, and Arthur live. * In the novel Dracula hides in England in Carfax Abbey, a property he purchased from Jonathan Harker, while in the film he hides in the cellar of Arthur's home. In the novel he transports a large number of crates of his native soil to England via ship, and in the film transports only a single coffin filled with his native soil to Arthur's home via carriage.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In Dracula's crypt, the now-aged vampire woman can be seen still breathing, even after she has supposedly been destroyed.

Quotes:

Count Dracula: Sleep well, Mr. Harker.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Kapou se xero: (#1.6)" (2001)

A film for every horror fan in every generation!!

This is the definitive version of Dracula. Everything in the film is done to absolute perfection. The portrayal of Dr. Van Helsing and the title character, Dracula, are the best representations, EVER! The two great actors, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are at their best in representing their characters. Unlike Lugosi, Christopher Lee shines in every scene with the ferocity and animal-like tendencies that Dracula should have. And the respectable actor and gentleman, Peter Cushing, takes the character of Van Helsing and makes it his very own. The look on his face at the end of the film shows a man, although exilarated and relieved, who is almost sad that his life's work is nearing a close. The incredible score, written by James Bernard, almost yells the life story of Dracula. The lavish scenes and rich color still hold up in today's world as astounding, original works of art. The gore and blood level is relatively low in today's standards, however, back then, people would be scared out of their wits. This film is a 5 star movie. Grab a loved one, pop some popcorn, dim the lights, and watch a real good horror movie for a change.