"Dracula Has Risen From The Grave" follows on from three previous Hammer horror films featuring the terrifying undead count of Bram Stoker's creation. "Horror Of Dracula", "Brides Of Dracula" and "Dracula Prince Of Darkness" had already hit the big screen by the time this fourth entry appeared. There's not much in this one to distinguish it from the others, although the emphasis on flesh and cleavage seems to have been increased considerably. For it opening twenty-five minutes or so, "Dracula Has Risen From The Grave" promises to be one of the best things Hammer have ever done the atmosphere of doom and dread is credibly built, James Bernard's score generates gnawing tension, and fierce thunderstorms provide a blood-curdling backdrop. But sadly the film relaxes its grip as it enters the mid-section and we are left to endure a lengthy dull patch that lifts only as the film enters its bloody climax.
A village in the shadow of Dracula's castle still lives in fear of the Count's name, even though rumour has it that Dracula perished in a frozen lake some year previously. A deeply religious Monsignor (Rupert Davies) arrives in the village and is offended that people don't enter the local church because their memory of Dracula's reign still drives fear into their heart. The Monsignor travels up to Dracula's castle with a local priest (Ewan Hooper) and wedges a holy cross into the door, performing an exorcism to banish evil from the castle and the region forever. However, during the trip up into the mountains, the priest accidentally releases the real Dracula (Christopher Lee) from his icy tomb. When Dracula tries to return to his castle and discovers the cross bolting his door, he is enraged and forces the priest to tell him who is responsible for it being there. The only way that Dracula can get back into his castle is by getting the Monsignor or someone related to him to remove the holy object that has been fixed upon his door. Dracula pursues the Monsignor to his home town, where he begins a campaign of blood-sucking terror upon the residents, including the Monsignor's beautiful young niece Maria (Veronica Carlson).
The production values are pretty good in the film, with the costumes, sets and fake gore all up to a reasonable standard. Lee oozes sexual menace as Dracula, while Hammer favourites Michael Ripper and Veronica Carlson provide enjoyable support. Particularly worthy of note is Rupert Davies as the God-fearing Monsignor he brings real conviction to his role, and does a lot to compensate for the absence in the narrative of Peter Cushing's Van Helsing character. As noted already, the biggest flaw with the film is the flat mid-section. Too much time is lost during this ill-judged segment of the film - little happens to move the story forward and the film's attention to horror and atmosphere is unforgivably neglected. "Dracula Has Risen From The Grave" is an acceptable addition to the cycle, probably more enjoyable if you're a series fan but still engaging enough to please others too. It's just such a shame that the early promise never quite materialises into anything more tangible.
A village in the shadow of Dracula's castle still lives in fear of the Count's name, even though rumour has it that Dracula perished in a frozen lake some year previously. A deeply religious Monsignor (Rupert Davies) arrives in the village and is offended that people don't enter the local church because their memory of Dracula's reign still drives fear into their heart. The Monsignor travels up to Dracula's castle with a local priest (Ewan Hooper) and wedges a holy cross into the door, performing an exorcism to banish evil from the castle and the region forever. However, during the trip up into the mountains, the priest accidentally releases the real Dracula (Christopher Lee) from his icy tomb. When Dracula tries to return to his castle and discovers the cross bolting his door, he is enraged and forces the priest to tell him who is responsible for it being there. The only way that Dracula can get back into his castle is by getting the Monsignor or someone related to him to remove the holy object that has been fixed upon his door. Dracula pursues the Monsignor to his home town, where he begins a campaign of blood-sucking terror upon the residents, including the Monsignor's beautiful young niece Maria (Veronica Carlson).
The production values are pretty good in the film, with the costumes, sets and fake gore all up to a reasonable standard. Lee oozes sexual menace as Dracula, while Hammer favourites Michael Ripper and Veronica Carlson provide enjoyable support. Particularly worthy of note is Rupert Davies as the God-fearing Monsignor he brings real conviction to his role, and does a lot to compensate for the absence in the narrative of Peter Cushing's Van Helsing character. As noted already, the biggest flaw with the film is the flat mid-section. Too much time is lost during this ill-judged segment of the film - little happens to move the story forward and the film's attention to horror and atmosphere is unforgivably neglected. "Dracula Has Risen From The Grave" is an acceptable addition to the cycle, probably more enjoyable if you're a series fan but still engaging enough to please others too. It's just such a shame that the early promise never quite materialises into anything more tangible.