Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968)
Starring: Christopher Lee, Rupert Davies, Veronica Carlson
Director: Freddie Francis
Synopsis: Third in Hammer's fabulous Dracula series
Reviewed by: Ali Khan

 

Hammer's original Dracula was a masterpiece and was followed by a worthy and impressive sequel, Dracula: Prince of Darkness. Hammer's premier helmer, Terence Fisher, directed both films.

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave marked the Count's third outing. Set in the European province of Kleinenberg a year after Dracula had been 'encased in ice', the Monsignor returns to find the villagers literally living in the shadow of Castle Dracula.

In an effort to rid the villagers of their fear, the Monsignor and the local priest set out to exorcise Castle Dracula, hoping to lay the evil to rest once and for all. However, instead of destroying Dracula, they inadvertently succeed in resurrecting the vampire. The Count rises from his grave and unleashes a new reign of terror.

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave was originally to be directed by Terence Fisher but, following an accident, Freddie Francis was forced to step in. Francis does an admirable job, particularly during the first half of the film, where he builds an impressive amount of atmosphere and menace. There is excellent use of shadow, some striking sets and Dracula's resurrection is especially memorable.

However, as the film progresses, it becomes bogged down by its surprisingly overt religious metaphors, the most obvious being the failure of the staking process when undertaken by the atheist hero. Christopher Lee is his usual magnetic self but, without Peter Cushing as his great nemesis, the film suffers from a slight imbalance.

Nevertheless, Francis succeeds in infusing the film with Hammer's trademark atmosphere despite the studio having moved away from its familiar surroundings at Bray Studios. While Dracula Has Risen from the Grave is not in the same class as the first two Dracula films, it remains a more than worthy effort.