|
Hammer Films, 1958 |
Adaptation
Jimmy Sangster's screenplay modifies the novel's geography, placing the
primary victims in Karlstadt, Germany rather than England. The setting of Dracula's castle near Klausenberg (aka Kolozvar, now
known as Cluj) keeps him in Transylvania, but seventy miles or so
southwest of the location in Bram Stoker's novel, and in a
less remote area.
Sangster also compresses the action from months to seemingly just a few days. Gone also are Whitby, Renfield, and Dr. Seward's asylum. But there is action galore, with galloping coaches, fight scenes and blood spurting freely. Van Helsing is dashing in the most literal sense, as he seems to sprint everywhere!
Though not following the book slavishly, this version does surface a few interesting elements from the original. The blood transfusion is interesting to see performed with period apparatus. Other nice touches are Jonathan's compulsive journal writing, and Van Helsing's dictation to an early Edison recording device. One of the comic relief elements, the bribing of a customs official is actually reminiscent of the many instances where the novel's characters rely on cash incentives to speed their pursuit of the evil one.
Cast and Crew
The commanding performances of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are of
course the major strong points of the film. Cushing's qualities of
penetrating intellect, fierce determination, and boldness in action made
him forever the greatest of Van Helsings, and vampire slayers generally.
Lee's commanding physical presence and appeal to women made him the
definitive Dracula of his generation. Sadly, the writer doesn't give him
much to say, aside from a few pleasantries in the early scenes. His
wordlessness in the remainder of the film foreshadows the trend of later
Hammer productions, when his dialog was minimized for reasons of budget or
artistic disagreements.
However, almost equally of note is the film's charming and atmospheric production design by Bernard Robinson. The barbaric and semi-Oriental splendor of Dracula's great hall adds greatly to the mood of the tale.
Vampire Lore
Most of Stoker's vampire lore is omitted or rejected here. The issue of
mirrors is never brought up, and Van Helsing asserts that vampires cannot
transmute into animal form. On
the other hand, the modern notion that daylight is lethal to the vampire
is strongly emphasized and forms the rationale for the film's finale.
Coup de Gras
In one of the most famous scenes in all of horror film, Van Helsing
uses a cross improvised from iron candlesticks to force the Count into the
light, which reduces him gruesomely to ashes: first a foot, then a hand,
as with his terrified face the creature suddenly becomes a figure of pity,
baring his fangs one last time before the final dissolution.
Horror of Dracula DVD: Click here for pricing and ordering information at Amazon.com