‘The most evil, blood-lusting Dracula of all!’
The Brides of Dracula will be released by Scream Factory as Collector’s Edition Blu-ray on November 10th, 2020. Buy via Amazon.com
Special features:
New! 2K Scan from the Interpositive – in two aspect ratios 1.85:1 and 1.66:1
New! Audio Commentary with author/film historian Steve Haberman and filmmaker/film historian Constantine Nasr
New! The Men Who Made Hammer: Terence Fisher
New! The Men Who Made Hammer: Jack Asher
New! The Eternal and the Damned – Malcolm Williamson and The Brides of Dracula
The Making of Brides of Dracula– narrated by Edward De Souza plus interviews with Yvonne Monlaur, Jimmy Sangster, Hugh Harlow and more…
The Haunted History of Oakley Court
Theatrical Trailer
Radio Spot
Still Gallery
English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
English SDH Subtitles
Here is our previous coverage of this Hammer horror classic:
The Brides of Dracula is a 1960 British Hammer Horror film directed by Terence Fisher from a screenplay by Anthony Hinds. The movie stars Peter Cushing, Yvonne Monlaur, Andrée Melly, Marie Devereux; David Peel and Martita Hunt.
The film is a sequel to Hammer’s Dracula (USA: Horror of Dracula) (1958). Alternative working titles were Dracula 2 and Disciple of Dracula. Dracula does not appear in the film (Christopher Lee would reprise his role in Dracula Prince of Darkness in 1966 and is mentioned only twice, once in the prologue, once by Van Helsing.
Plot:
A young teacher on her way to a position in Transylvania helps a young man escape the shackles his mother has put on him. In so doing, she innocently unleashes the horrors of the undead once again on the populace, including those at her school for ladies. Luckily for some, Van Helsing is already on his way…
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Reviews:
“Van Helsing’s appearance is far too convenient and contrived. A cheesy flying bat is a major distraction. Despite the flaws, however, Fisher’s enthusiastic direction is contagious; aided, in no small part, by lavish art direction and camera work. The finale, at a windmill, is sumptuous and visually exciting.” 366 Weird Movies
“Fans of fast-paced horror will likely enjoy the second half of The Brides of Dracula, but odds are their attention will wander a few times during the film’s first half, which is long on dialogue and short on action. As for David Peel, he does a fine job as the sophisticated Baron, yet isn’t a very convincing vampire…” 2,500 Movies Challenge
“Under the guiding hand of Terence Fisher, this film elevates the fairy tale nature of Hammer’s very best works to something far more sinister and yet more whimsical than anything that had come before. Taking the familiar gothic template and infusing it with color, dark nuance and heady thematics, The Brides of Dracula emerges feeling like anything but a retread.” Bloody Disgusting
“The pacing is sometimes too slow for modern tastes and the action sometimes too brief […] But the trademark Hammer touches are in full glory: the Gothic–Victorian atmosphere, the vintage costumes, the horse-drawn coaches in the bare winter woods, the sudden flashes of blood. Note also the classic and Christian treatment of vampirism. The showdown at the windmill is the most original touch.” David Elroy Goldweber, Claws & Saucers: Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Films, A Complete Guide
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” …Terence Fisher at his best. The worst you can say is that it is a tad dated for today’s audience, but still a real beaut for those of us with an attention span longer than 20 seconds. A trifle deliberate with the pacing, Brides of Dracula is Hammer not quite at its very best, but doing very well indeed, thank you very much.” Digital Retribution
“Not the strongest Hammer work, The Brides of Dracula is still a worthy sequel to the Dracula films, and an interesting entry in the Fisher canon, reminding us just what this underrated director could do. Considering its low budget, it’s a remarkably accomplished piece of filmmaking. and it’s still highly watchable today.” Eye for Film
“The Brides of Dracula is one of Hammer’s best horrors and is one of the great vampire movies. Terence Fisher kept his excellent cast and action highlights moving so smoothly that one does not notice several plot holes caused by the plethora of scripts and writers. The film manages to cleverly mix traditional vampire lore with some new (and slightly perverse) ideas.” Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography
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“Superbly acted (Hunt is marvelous) and featuring lush colors and wonderful sets, this standout Hammer horror is not only an excellent addition to the studio’s Dracula franchise, but it’s a classic all on its own. Must see viewing.” The Terror Trap
“Patchy but striking, and directed with Fisher’s usual flair […] Hunt (the mother) and Jackson (a crazed retainer) are fun.” Time Out (London)
Contemporary reviews:
“Intriguing and meaty, plush presentation, rich settings.” The Kinematograph Weekly, 7th July 1960
Buy as part of the Hammer Horror Collection from Amazon.com
Cast and characters:
Peter Cushing … Doctor Van Helsing
Martita Hunt … Baroness Meinster
Yvonne Monlaur … Marianne Danielle
Freda Jackson … Greta
David Peel … Baron Meinster
Miles Malleson … DoctorTobler
Henry Oscar … Herr Lang
Mona Washbourne … Frau Lang
Andree Melly … Gina
Victor Brooks … Hans
Fred Johnson … Cure
Michael Ripper … Coachman
Norman Pierce … Landlord
Vera Cook … Landlord’s Wife
Marie Devereux … Village Girl (as Marie Deveruex)
Ted Carroll … Inn Patron (uncredited)
Susan Castle … Elsa (uncredited)
Jill Haworth … Schoolgirl (uncredited)
Walter Henry … Man in Tavern (uncredited)
Michael Mulcaster … The Man in Black (uncredited)
Harry Pringle … Karl (uncredited)
Harold Scott … Severin (uncredited)
Stephanie Watts … Foxy Girl (uncredited)
Filming locations:
Black Park, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England
Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England
Oakley Court, Windsor Road, Oakley Green, Windsor, Berkshire, England (Chateau Meinster -entrance)
Technical details:
1 hour 26 minutes
Technicolor
Aspect Ratio: 1.85: 1
Audio: Mono (RCA Sound System)
Production and release:
Shooting began on 16th January 1960 to 18 March 1960. The film premièred at the Odeon, Marble Arch, in London, on 6th July 1960.
