Wrath of Dracula is a 2023 British action horror film in which Mina Harker embarks on a mission to rescue her husband Jonathan from Castle Dracula, assisted by the mysterious Professor Van Helsing.
Written, produced and directed by Steve Lawson (Ripper’s Revenge; The Highwayman; The Fourth Musketeer; Jekyll and Hyde; Bram Stoker’s Van Helsing; Saltwater: The Battle for Ramree Island; The Haunting of Alcatraz; Pentagram; The Exorcism of Karen Walker; Hellriser; KillerSaurus; Nocturnal Activity). Executive produced by May Monteiro, Hannah O’Donoghue and Jeremy Rothwell.
The Creativ Studios-High Fliers Films co-production stars Hannaj Bang Bendz (Deadly Perfect; Dragon Kingdom), Mark Topping (The Haunting of Pendle Hill; Jekyll & Hyde; Bram Stoker’s Van Helsing; The Haunting of Alcatraz), Sean Cronin (Election Night; The Fourth Musketeer; Kill Kane), Ayvianna Snow, Marta Svetek, Jasmine Sumner, Dean Marshall, Carl Wharton, Demi Savva, Chris Lines, Shady Murphy and Serene Fensome.
Reviews:
“Set in the 19th century, the film effectively employs locations on a limited budget to create an authentic period setting. The soundtrack choices occasionally need to be put in the right place with their modern sound. The film has moments of dialogue-heavy scenes despite the action, but it features a satisfying staking moment.” All Horror
“In true Lawson style, this is ponderous but handsome-looking stuff, mixing real locations, the director’s cramped Creativ Studios interiors and stock shots, with a faux orchestral score to keep things classy; oh and a surprisingly ambitious beheading too. The odd line raises a smile – “Taste the blood of Dracula!” cries the Count as he almost successfully persuades Mina to drink of his life force – but it’s all a bit am dram…” Dark Eyes of London
“There is so much to like about Wrath of Dracula including its beauty. For what I’m sure wasn’t a high budget, the film doesn’t look low budget and the scenery, locations and production design all look great (especially the wide shots of creepy castles and forests I wouldn’t dare go into) […] I also definitely have to give a mention to Sean Cronin who is great in the titular role.” From Page 2 Screen
“Typically for Lawson, it’s rather chatty […] and occasionally on the low-key, respectable side … there’s less blood than in the average Hammer Dracula and it holds back from presenting vampires or vampire-hunters as eroticised figures. Cronin’s Dracula is given the Colonel Kurtz treatment – seen first in close-ups of his eyes, then in shadow with his Max Schreck bald head…” The Kim Newman Web Site
” …there is a mutual respect between the two leads which feels inspired by the central slayer/watcher relationship in Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Bendz and Topping sell their characters’ inner turmoil, although they can only do so much with the heavy-handed dialogue and uninspiring humour they are given. It is all part of a film which unfortunately lacks thrills or tension, amidst dimly lit sets which feel uninspiring.” ★★ Nerdly
“You don’t go to a Steve Lawson film for high budget and high thrills, but with Wrath of Dracula his particular brand of dramatical characters really worked. Even things like the early 2000s sounding rock song that are somehow incorporated into the film worked out for the best, as did the decent soundtrack. I had a blast watching this, a pleasant surprise for sure.” 8 out of 10, The Rotting Zombie
YouTube reviews:
Trailer [4K UHD]:
Release:
In the UK, Wrath of Dracula was released by High Fliers Films on DVD on August 23, 2023. Buy DVD from Amazon.co.uk
In the UK, the movie is also available free to watch via Amazon Prime UK
Rent or buy via Amazon Prime USA
Filming locations:
Guys Cliffe House
Haden Hill House
Derby Gaol
Creativ Studios
Technical specs:
1 hour 25 minutes
