This Hammer Studios classic is far closer to the letter (and spirit) of the Bram Stoker novel than the
Bela Lugosi version of Dracula. Lawyer Jonathan Harker (
John Van Eyssen) arrives in Transylvania to close a real estate transaction with the reclusive Count Dracula (
Christopher Lee), discovering all too late that his client is a vampire, who intends to suck the blood out of every available neck in England. Once ensconced at Carfax Abbey, Dracula puts Harker's fiancee Lucy (Carol Marsh) under his spell. It's up to Dr. Van Helsing and his seemingly bottomless bag of crucifixes and stakes to attempt to save the day. Dracula's demise is staged in spectacular fashion, best seen in (you'll pardon the pun) full-blooded Technicolor. Only two carps: Why do all the Transylvanian peasants speak in Cockney accents? And where's that old bug-eater Renfield? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide