Scars of Dracula

1970's "Scars of Dracula" topped the only Dracula-Frankenstein double bill ever offered by Hammer, Christopher Lee's 5th performance in the series coupled with the already completed "The Horror of Frankenstein" for a brief run on the drive-in circuit by American Continental Films (along with "Lust for a Vampire"), quickly sold to television and popping up in record time before disappearing from the airwaves. "Scars" began shooting only five months after the previous Hammer entry "Taste the Blood of Dracula," seven months after Jesus Franco's adaptation "Count Dracula," and actually returns to Stoker for many plot devices that had never been done in films. The climax of "Taste" had Dracula destroyed in a London church, kicking things off here back in Transylvania with his ashes revived by dripping blood from a very large and rather phony rubber bat (the only previous entry that employed bats was 1960's "The Brides of Dracula," the one without Lee). The torch bearing villagers decide to storm Castle Dracula for a proper burning, only to return to their loved ones at the church mutilated by vengeful bats in their absence (the same set reused in Jimmy Sangster's "Lust for a Vampire"). The philandering Paul Carlson (Christopher Matthews) escapes the clutches of the law only to find himself arriving at Castle Dracula, welcomed by the beautiful Tania (Anouska Hempel) and her master, introducing himself with three simple yet familiar words: "I am Dracula." With no possible escape, Paul tries to make himself comfortable, receiving a visit from Tania as willing bed warmer, having just been bitten by Dracula (only the second time we see Lee perform the actual bite). The approaching dawn has Tania ready to sink her own fangs into her lover's neck, an enraged Dracula emerging to stab her repeatedly in an unexpected and illogical demise for a vampire. Paul discovers an opening some yards below his room, making his way down the wall to find himself hopelessly trapped in the Count's private sanctuary, later found impaled on a meat hook. Director Roy Ward Baker was proud of restoring the Count's ability to use creatures of the night to perform his bidding, either as winged angels of death or like carrier pigeons, as well as having doors open and close by themselves whenever Dracula requires. By far the most notable idea from Stoker was the sight of Dracula crawling down the castle wall (recreated for Frank Langella), seen here as walking up the wall from his hidden coffin location. Lee also receives more screen time than in any other Hammer entry, over 11 minutes for a more balanced approach that keeps him involved right from the start. Simon Carlson (Dennis Waterman) and girlfriend Sarah (Jenny Hanley) search for his missing brother, barely escaping Castle Dracula through the help of the Count's manservant Klove (Patrick Troughton), who keeps a framed photo of the lovely Sarah and only defies his master in her defense. Klove was introduced in Lee's second entry "Dracula - Prince of Darkness," earning forgiveness by bringing new blood in the shapely form of Wendy Hamilton as Julie, instantly killed by Dracula's bite. The idea of a church desecrated by evil previously appeared in "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave," the ineffectual priest played by the distinguished Michael Gwynn, Peter Cushing's creation from 1958's "The Revenge of Frankenstein." Despite the savage critical backlash upon release (even cofeature "The Horror of Frankenstein" was received with greater leniency), Lee himself was surprised at how well it turned out during his 2000 commentary track, perhaps mollified by the numerous Stoker touches that he was usually calling for and, for once, accepted by screenwriter Anthony Hinds, under his regular pseudonym John Elder. This turned out to be the final Gothic sequel, two modern era vehicles to close out Lee's participation, "Dracula A. D. 1972" and "The Satanic Rites of Dracula."

A village girl found murdered, could it be that Dracula is back? Playboy Paul Carlson is about to find out.

A bat hovers over a concrete slab, blood frothing from its mouth, the drops of which are reinvigorating the Prince Of Darkness. Yes, Dracula is back, bloodier than usual and even kind of chatty! Directed by Roy Ward Baker and starring Christopher Lee in his fifth outing as Dracula, Scars Of Dracula, hamstrung by low budget as it is, is one of the better efforts in the Hammer Horror Dracula cycle.

Standard rules apply, buxom wenches are ripe for slaughter and the guys are a mixture of village yokels and posh gentlemen. Lee as ever is charming and carrying his air of nastiness, and the story leads us nicely to a castle top finale of some standing. There's also some nice visual flourishes and memorable scenes along the way. Blood drips onto white candles that segue into red ones and Drac walks up walls. While the redness in the piece has never more been so vivid thanks to Moray Grant's impacting photography. The cast reads like a who's who of British television, you got a Doctor Who {Patrick Troughton with the worlds scariest eyebrows}, Minder {a badly miscast Dennis Waterman}, a Bond girl and presenter of Magpie {the lovely Jenny Hanley} and Lord Melbury from Fawlty Towers {Michael Gwynn}.

Safe & solid Hammer Horror fare that just about rises above the normality of the script. 6.5/10

MORD39 RATING: *** out of ****

In my opinion, SCARS OF DRACULA is the most satisfying entry of all the Hammer Dracula's, even squeaking past the revered HORROR OF DRACULA.

People like to pick on the reduced budget, but I have never felt that the sets look too bad when all is said and done. The only thing that "Count's" is that Dracula is given more screen time than usual and is thoroughly evil and sadistic.

Sure, it's not an original idea having another man stranded at Dracula's castle, but it works well. A point that not many bring out is that there are also elements of Bram Stoker's novel which are utilized in the film, and for that alone I give it a slight nudge over HORROR OF DRACULA.

I think that this film might appear more to those who are not familiar with Hammer's other Dracula films, as they won't have any prejudices. This is a good, solid Dracula film.

In this movie we see Dracula burn his servant with a hot sword and stab his female vampire slave to death with a knife.

Christopher Lee had said this was the weakest and most unconvincing of the series. Perhaps he said that before "AD 72" and Satanic Rites" came out? He commented that the makeup was wrong. Was it "Vampires do NOT wear pancake!"? He didn't like the way they had him "biting" the victim. Biting more than once is chewing, is it not? He also complained that instead of writing a story around Dracula, they write it then try to fit Dracula into it.

This movie did have its moments. At least they put in a Stoker scene with him climbing the walls, though it looked a bit weird. He was bent over hobbling on the wall like he had something heavy on his back. Imagine him crawling up the way they showed Langela (Dracula 1979) doing it - from that angle. That would have been sweet.

The bat looked fake, the knife looked rubber, the burning castle looked like an obvious miniature with a big candle in it, the lightning hitting Dracula at the end was an obvious stunt man with a really bad (Michael Myers?) mask and the church scene after the bat attack was disturbing. I agree that the supporting actors were a bit over-matched against the Count. There is no expert vampire hunter in this, just two brothers (one being the third vampire hunter named "Paul" in the series) and that weak priest. I'll give this 5 stars out of 10, an average rating.

Roy Ward Baker's "Scars Of Dracula" of 1970 is not only by far the goriest and most violent of the awesome Dracula movies from Hammer Studios, it is also one of the best sequels. Count Dracula, played once again with greatness by Christopher Lee, is more vengeful, blood-thirsty and sadistic than ever, and the (once again) excellent eerie Hammer atmosphere makes "Scars Of Dracula" an must-see for Horror fans.

The story is, admittedly, not too elaborate, in some minor parts the script has its flaws, and the film has some cheesy moments, but what the hell, it remains suspenseful and creepy and top-notch horror entertainment anyway! As mentioned above, Count Dracula is crueler than ever. His thirst for blood has not only increased, but he also has a big desire for torturous punishments and brutality in general. His powers include the ability to control animals (predominantly bats). Count Dracula has, of course, always been a scary and evil villain in the Hammer films, but in "Scars Of Dracula" he is the Devil himself!

The movie begins with Dracula's (admittedly slightly cheesy) resurrection when a bat drops blood on his rotting ashes. After some girls fall victim to the vampire, angry villagers try to burn the count's castle, and have to notice that they are not capable of fighting the Prince of Darkness, who immediately takes terrible revenge… When a young man has to flee his town after spending the night with the burgomaster's daughter, he comes to the area where Dracula is striking terror into people's hearts, people who are living in constant fear and who are therefore anything but hospitable towards strangers…

"Scars Of Dracula" is, in my opinion, one of the greatest Dracula-sequels from the Hammer Studios. The original of 1958 remains unmatched, of course, but out of the sequels, "Scars of Dracula" is certainly one of the creepiest and most atmospheric. The violence is more graphic than in any of the other Dracula movies from Hammer, and although some effects in the movie may look a bit fake, the gory parts are very well made, and the great score by James Bernard makes the whole thing even creepier. The movie may have some minor flaws (which certainly didn't bother me), but it is an extremely creepy and highly atmospheric flick, which I highly recommend to Horror fans. Hammer fans can't afford to miss this one. 8/10