General Information

Director: Roy Ward Baker

Writer: John Elder

Cast: Christopher Lee, Dennis Waterman, Jenny Hanley, Christopher Matthews, Patrick Troughton, Michael Gwynn, Michael Ripper, Wendy Hamilton, Anouska Hempel, Delia Lindsay, Bob Todd, Toke Townley, David Leland, Richard Durden, Morris Bush, Margo Boht, and Clive Barrie

Composer: James Bernard

Release Date: 11/8/1970

MPAA Rating: R

Overview

Fleeing from the authorities, libertine Paul Carlson (Christopher Matthews) seeks asylum in Castle Dracula. Shortly thereafter, Paul’s brother Simon (Dennis Waterman) travels to the castle with his fiancée Sarah Framsen (Jenny Hanley), leading to a grave encounter with Count Dracula and his servant Klove (Patrick Troughton).

Scars of Dracula should be commended for its nauseating gore effects and atmospheric sequences. Modern audiences may nevertheless condemn this film, which operates on a drawn-out and directionless narrative.

Pros

Though devoid of an original and compelling storyline, Scars of Dracula benefits from a heavy use of classic horror tropes. Highlights include bloodsucking vampire bats, vile torture scenes, and haunting exterior shots of a Gothic castle—often shrouded in a thick and penetrating layer of fog, which adds an air of spookiness to the flimsy model used for Dracula’s home.

Cons

Despite searching for his brother in a haunted castle, Simon fails to convey a sense of urgency during his confrontations with Dracula, Klove, and the local villagers—a factor that may prevent viewers from sympathizing with Simon, who otherwise comes across as a brave and heroic young man.

Also problematic from a technical perspective, Scars of Dracula is marred by slipshod production values and obvious budgetary constraints—even by the standards of a Hammer horror film produced in the early 1970s.

Analysis

Showcasing Dracula’s ability to scale the walls of his own castle, this offering pays homage to a key element of Bram Stoker’s novel. (Those of a critical nature may, however, take issue with Dracula’s climb attempt, which suffers from a goofy execution.)

Concluding Comments

In spite of many ominous visual aspects, Scars of Dracula is a dull and unremarkable effort. Specifically, this film will evoke criticism for its languid plot, weak protagonist, and lack of continuity with other entries in the Hammer Dracula series.

Overall Quality: 5/10

If you enjoyed this post, please enter your email address in the subscription box to stay tuned for more updates.