Guest Review: "The Satanic Rites of Dracula"

Mike S reviews a classic horror film- "The Satanic Rites of Dracula".

"When I found out that Hammer Films was alive and well again- and in the process of producing a few new horror films, I started getting a little nostalgic. Growing up, I was a HUGE fan of the Hammer horror films, and have been looking for them on DVD for quite a while. A horror library is not complete without at least one of their films.


It was with great pleasure when I found "The Satanic Rites of Dracula" on DVD. I was literally, "geeking out" over it. I felt like a kid opening the biggest present under the Christmas tree. It's sad, but true.

I couldn't wait to watch it, but I wanted it to be special. At night, with the lights off... alone. Just me, Dracula, and Van Helsing.

And, man, was it worth it.

By today's standards, this movie might not be considered great- but for me it was fantastic. This film has the British sensibilities for horror, without relying on heavy gore and sadism. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing were excellent in this movie- which was Lee's last one as Dracula.

I won't lie, but it's not necessarily scary or creepy or errie compared to some of the more recent movies, but when you watch it, you can see why Hammer films were considered the pinnacle of the genre back in the 70's. Their movies were, in a word... fun.

And isn't fun what it's all about?  Yes, it is- and that's why I'd rate this movie a Good."