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Peter Cushing, Martita Hunt, Yvonne Monlaur, Freda Jackson, David Peel ... see more see more... , Miles Malleson , Henry Oscar , Mona Washbourne , Andree Melly , Victor Brooks , Fred Johnson , Michael Ripper , Norman Pierce , Vera Cook , Marie Devereaux , Harold E. Scott

Hammer Films and director Terence Fisher followed the excellent Horror of Dracula with this well-made, richly-colored sequel which suffers only from the conspicuous lack of Dracula himself -- since Ho... read more read more...rror's Christopher Lee had declined participation in further Dracula sequels for the time being. In his stead, we have young, blond Baron Meinster (David Peel) providing the requisite vampiric threat. Though imprisoned in the family estate by his mother, Meinster is released from his silver chains by an unsuspecting French teacher (Yvonne Monlaur), through which he gains access to a veritable smorgasbord of nubile wenches at a girls' school. Fortunately, master vampire killer Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) is on the case. Besides featuring some of the best acting, photography and period detail of the Hammer Dracula series, this is also one of the first to delve into the more sexual aspects of vampirism, with implicit suggestions of incest, sadomasochism and homosexuality. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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62% liked it

2,853 ratings

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71% liked it

14 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Terence Fisher

Release Date: January 1, 1960

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DVD Release Date: September 6, 2005

Stats: 176 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (176)

  • ajv2688
    April 6, 2011
    ajv2688
    Peter Cushing is awesome as ever, but I was disappointed that Christopher Lee wasn't the vampire this time. The story is good, but the other actors, especially the lead girl, weren't. Overall, it's a pretty good movie, but it could have been better.
  • matertenebraum
    February 10, 2011
    matertenebraum
    Baron Meinster (David Peel) picks up where Christopher Lee's Dracula last left off. The Baroness Meinster (Martita Hunt) has an interesting little scheme working for her, she plays the evil little spinster while picking up to stray ladies to feed to her vampire son. The Baroness ... read moretries to keep him safe at the castle by locking him up but when he puts the moves on a lovely French school teacher passing through to her destination. Only one man can rescue the countryside and that man is Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing}.

    Peel is an interesting choice as the lead vampire. Handsome and charming he's basically the complete opposite of Chris Lee's Dracula. He also lacks the intensity but at least Cushing pops in to pick up the slack. The production design is on par with nearly all Hammer productions. You may say that their films are a bit stuffy but I say that is part of their charm. The company made Gothic horror and they did it well.
  • bbcfloridabound
    October 21, 2010
    bbcfloridabound
    A early vampire film, which turns out to be excellent. A young girl is traveling thur Transylvania and while there she helps a young man escape the bonds and chains of his mother only to find out later he is a Vampire. 4 stars
  • newvogueravyn
    August 27, 2010
    newvogueravyn
    The majority of the film is standard Hammer vampire fare, but the ending was oddly anti-climactic.
  • mjgildea
    April 4, 2010
    mjgildea
    The Brides of Dracula is a compact and straightforward classic Hammer horror flick that lacks Christopher Lee, but more than makes up for it with Peter Cushing's half badass, half gentlemanly portrayal of Dr.Van Helsing. The movie's not without its hokiness but for what it is, th... read moreere's some great dialogue that pops up from time to time. The Brides of Dracula also has some inventive effects (its fairly obvious they were on a shoestring budget) and make-up without going over the top.
  • rubystevens
    November 2, 2008
    rubystevens
    with or without christopher lee, peter cushing is the man
  • cancercapricorn2002
    October 15, 2008
    cancercapricorn2002
    After his masterpiece "Dracula" (aka. "Horror Of Dracula") from 1958 Hammer's greatest director, Terence Fisher, did not yet return with another film starring Christopher Lee as Dracula, but with an eerie, atmospheric and downright brilliant sequel about a different vampire, and ... read morethe greatest of all Vampire hunters, Dr. Van Helsing (once again outstandingly played by the immortal Peter Cushing). And this first sequel to the series, "The Brides Of Dracula" of 1960, became a Gothic masterpiece of its own that almost reaches the brilliance of the original.


    On her way through Transylvania, Marianne Danielle (Yvonne Monalur), a young french lady who is about to become a boarding school teacher, gets invited to spend the night at the Castle of Baroness Meinster (Martita Hunt). Little does she know, that the Couness keeps her own son locked up in the castle. For good reasons, as the young Baron Meinster (David Peel) has an insatiable thirst for the blood of young beauties...

    "Brides Of Dracula" is a haunting, highly atmospheric Gohic tale from the very beginning. The great photography, and creepy locations, as well as the outstanding and eerie score build up a mesmerizing atmosphere. The unforgettable Peter Cushing is, as always, brilliant as Dr. Van Helsing, the role of his life besides Baron Frankenstein. But even besides Cushing, who is one of my favorite actors of all-time, the acting is great. David Peel is great and genuinely scary as Baron Meinster. This creepy Baron Meinster is one of the truly memorable vampires in motion picture history, and I it sad that Peel, who played the role with such greatness, didn't get more roles after this film and appeared only in two more movies. Martita Hunt is excellent and eerie as the Baroness, and so is Freda Jackson as her maid. Yvonne Monlaur is a stunning beauty, and greatly plays her role in he female lead with a lot of grace. And even the supporting performances are very good.

    If you like films from the great Hammer Studios, "Brides Of Dracula" is a film you must not miss. The only real flaw of this film is that I found it too easy to defeat the vampire in the very end and maybe a minor issue but I was never sure why this film was called " Brides Of Dracula" when Dracula doesn't appear in the film. Anyhow, this is a wonderfully creepy and atmospheric Gohic tale with great performances, above all the brilliant Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. "Brides Of Dracula" is one of the essential Hammer films and, as far as I am considered, Hammer's best Vampire flick after "Horror Of Dracula" and Robert Young's brilliant 1971 masterpiece "Vampire Circus".

    To sum up, "Brides Of Dracula" is essential Hammer-brilliance that no horror fan can afford to miss!
  • harrycaul
    October 21, 2007
    harrycaul
    Ironic that the best of the Hammer Dracula movies should not feature Christopher Lee at all! Full of good performances and quirky little touches, such as the vampire's servant coaxing a fresh acolyte from her grave, and the sails of a windmill forming the sign of the cross. Marti... read moretia Hunt, who played Miss Havisham in David Lean's "Great Expectations", is absolutely wonderful as a baroness turned into a vampire by her own son. A great film.
  • drblood
    August 20, 2007
    drblood
    This is far from being one of my favourite Hammer Dracula films simply because Christopher Lee isn't in it. Peter Cushing almost makes up for it on his own but it's like having Laurel without Hardy.
    Baron Meinster played by David Peel just doesn't work for me though some people c... read moreonsider this to be one of the best Hammer films because of all the action.
    The latest DVD versions all seem to have missing scenes which make it even more disappointing.
  • jim222001us
    July 29, 2010
    jim222001us
    Christopher Lee isn't back as Dracula, but he's replaced by David Peel as Baron Meinster who's a vampire that has been chained up by his mother Baroness Meinster (Martha Hunt). Baroness invites a young beauty Marianne (Yvonna Moniaur) to stay at her mansion to feed her son, but h... read moreer plan backfires when Marianne lets Baron free.

    Marianne escapes the mansion, still thinking that Baron was a poor innocent boy who's mom chained him up for no good reason. Marrianne meets Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) who takes her to a school for girls. But the Baron finds her there and asks her to marry him while taking some female victims on the side. So of course it's up to Van Helsing to stop the carnage.

    The Bride of Dracula has some bad effects, such as overly fake looking bats and the film isn't as good as Horror of Dracula. The film does come alive though when ever Peter Cushing is shown as Van Helsing and when ever Moniaur is on screen. The film also has some exciting moments in the end. So I think it's worth checking out.

View All The Brides of Dracula Reviews

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther
May 9, 2005
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Here is but another repetition of the standard tale of the vampire bugaboo who likes to sink his oversized dentures into the necks of pretty girls. Full Review

October 21, 2009
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Chilling special effects highlight a rather gory production. Full Review

Steve Biodrowski
October 21, 2008
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter

The film features the familiar elements (beautiful color cinematography, lavish sets, solid writing, strong performances), making this a worthy heir to its predecessor. Full Review

Tim Brayton
October 5, 2008
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

If it isn't as iconic and elemental as its predecessor, that's no reflection on how well it works as a vampire entertainment on its own...an unusually original way to continue the closed-off story of ... Full Review

Tom Milne
June 24, 2006
Tom Milne, Time Out

Patchy but striking, and directed with Fisher's usual flair. Full Review

Christopher Null
September 20, 2005
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

When the story lags (and it often does), at least you have copious eye candy to feast on. Full Review

Staci Layne Wilson
August 30, 2005
Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com

While the plot is over the top and certainly contrived, there are enough spooky sequences to keep horror fans occupied. Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Fisher directs with characteristic fluency, and the cast is splendid. Full Review

Ken Hanke
May 12, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Kind of Dracula Meets Tennessee Williams. Full Review

James Sanford
July 29, 2002
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

"lusty vampire romp"

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The Brides of Dracula Trivia

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