Blu-ray Review – Dracula: Prince of Darkness

Count Dracula is often mentioned as Christopher Lee's most iconic character, with the actor playing the famous bloodsucker in nine different movies over the course of his career. With such immediate popularity, triggered by the 1958 release of "Dracula" (co-starring Peter Cushing), it seems odd that Hammer Films waited eight years to mount a follow-up with the actor, finally arriving at a point of cinematic resurrection with 1966's "Dracula: Prince of Darkness," only to rob the monster of all his lines and delay his introduction to comedic degree. Despite its routine dramatic interests and habitual need to postpone the inevitable, "Prince of Darkness" has enough proper Hammer Horror elements to engage, gifting the viewer the titular ghoul, a creepy castle located in the middle of nowhere, and a cast of innocents who boldly step into the line of fire, completely ignoring repeated pleas for vigilance. It's almost enough to fuel an effort that practically refuses access to its most interesting screen element. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com