Till Death
When forced to stay a night in an inn on the way to take up a teaching position at a Transylvanian school for ladies, Marianne Danielle (Yvonne Monlaur) ends up assisting a young man escape from the shackles that his mother, Baroness Meinster (Martita Hunt), keeps him in. What Marianne doesn't realise is that by releasing the handsome young man from his bonds she has released Baron Meinster (David Peel) a vampire. Fortunately Doctor Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) is already on his way to once again do battle with the undead.
Bleak wooded scene - tick, tavern with creepy customers - tick, dramatic music - tick, impressive gothic sets - tick, attractive women - tick and Peter Cushing - tick. Yes basically what I am saying is that "The Brides of Dracula" is a typical Hammer House of Horror movie and for those who are fans of Hammer or grew up on a staple of these British horror movies that is good news. In fact I can see how anyone who loves Hammer horror movies would love this too.
But what if you are not a major Hammer horror movie fan? Well to be honest whilst "The Brides of Dracula" moves along at a decent pace it doesn't actually draw you in to the unfolding story because frankly the whole Dracula/vampire and Van Helsing set up is so familiar and in this case formula driven that you know how it is going to play out before the movie has started. But still "The Brides of Dracula" does have that classic Hammer Horror look and in many ways the gothic sets are what impresses me the most about the movie rather than the storyline, acting or effects which unfortunately include a cheap looking bat.
What this all boils down to is that "The Brides of Dracula" is another Hammer horror movie which will most definitely work for fans of Hammer but for those who now watch out of curiosity might find themselves under whelmed by it all.
Tags: Vampire Movies
