Of all the films given the Hammer Stamp of Approval, Brides of Dracula, is probably the most popular. It seems to be given the most play on television, it’s one of the most highly recognized Hammer titles, and it has the most infamous closing scene of any of the Hammer Films. Does it deserve the hype? You could bet your fangs on it.

To name this movie The Brides of Dracula is somewhat inappropriate as it isn’t the official Count Dracula causing the mass mayhem. This time, it is the very young and sexy-in-a-gothic-way, Baron Meinster (played marvelously by the very young and sexy-in-any-way, David Peel). Peter Cushing returns brilliantly as Van Helsing (but really, when HAVEN’T you seen a brilliant performance from Peter Cushing?). The popular Hammer girl Yvonne Monlaur tops off this diabolical cast.

The plot isn’t anything unique. Girl gets stranded. Girl is forced to spend the night in a deserted castle. Big-evil vampire causes mayhem. Peter Cushing swings across the screen on a rope to save the day. Just your normal, everyday vampire story. What makes this one so special? In the cinematography department, this is the most beautiful vampire film ever made. I’ve always been a big fan of “romanticizing” vampires (you have to be in order to enjoy Hammer Films), and this film does it brilliantly. Every shot is absolutely breathtaking. Every line of dialogue is brilliant. Not to mention the ending will simply blow you away.

Part of the appeal is that David Peel has kind of a “James Bond-effect” as he plays the vampire with sophisticated eroticism. This contrasts nicely with Christopher Lee, who gives a very under-toned, chilling, and haunting performance as Dracula. Many fans of the film have said that this film would have been absolutely perfect if Chris Lee was the vampire. While I have no doubt the film would have been excellent, I can’t agree with that statement. David Peel is not only the head vampire, but also (in a demented way), the leading male love interest. In order to pull off this roll, you have to not only be frightening, but also have a “playboy” quality. While Chris Lee does have a very nice posterior, he has extremely limited experience playing a love interest. In many ways, it would be like Boris Karloff playing a leading love interest. While I’m sure he has the acting props to do it, it would just not fall into place as easily.

To say I recommend Brides of Dracula is painfully redundant. This film is easily one of the top 25 classic horror films you should have seen by now. With Peter Cushing doing trapeze-like stunts and Terence Fisher’s beautiful directing that could cause any cinematography fan to shed a tear from his/her evil eye, it’s very hard to beat this film. He turned innocent beauty into unspeakable horror. Indulge in the transformation.