THE BRIDES OF DRACULA
DVD Region 2. Showbox.

Despite the title, 1960 release Brides of Dracula is not really part of Hammer's Dracula series. In 1960, Christopher Lee was still avoiding typecasting, and refusing to recreate his role as Dracula. Not to be put off, Hammer instead came up with this pseudo-sequel, which takes Peter Cushing's vampire hunter Dr Van Helsing, and pits him against another blood sucking fiend.

This time, the vampire is Baron Meinster, who is unleashed on a school for girls by a well-meaning teacher who finds him chained up by his protective mother. Luckily, Van Helsing is on hand to sort things out.

The film came at the end of a period of consistent excellence from the studio - the 1960's would prove to be rather more variable in quality - and has the same look and feel as the classics that went before. There are many striking moments in the film, not least of all the climax which comes close to the dynamism of 19858's Dracula - I won't spoil it for those of you who haven't see the film.
There are other great moments too - Cushing purging himself of infection after being bitten being the best - that make this a worthy effort.

Some critics will make much of a homosexual subtext in the film, though in reality, this is simply down to David Peel, who was indeed gay, and who's ginger-haired Baron certainly seems quite effete. It is, in fact, the female characters who are the more striking in this film (Cushing aside obviously) - aptly so, given the title.

Brides of Dracula is not one of the better known Hammer titles, so it's good to see it on DVD. Wholly recommended.

DAVID FLINT

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