I enjoyed this film. The lack of a twist made the thin storyline a little predictable, but it was nice seeing Christopher Lee back in a Hammer horror and the other cast members were good, especially Jeffrey Dean Morgan who was pathetic and creepy at the same time as the needy and dangerous antagonist. It's more of a psychological thriller.
I think this role really shows what a versatile and incredibly powerful presence Christopher Lee possesses, although the film does show the limitations of Hammer's resources, and filming it back to back with Dracula Prince of Darkness highlights the recycling of the over familiar sets to a distracting degree.
I never caught this one. I love Barbara Shelley and wish someone would put this out on DVD. Or as I said on other comment pages, perhaps Hammer could stream it on their Youtube page?
An underrated Hammer adventure, which Columbia released on their region 1 dvd set, icons of adventure.
Christopher Lee plays a sort of Fu Manchu character.
It's a bit disturbing when they kill the main character's daughter, but he soon seems to forget about it, and Yvonne Monlaur looks as gorgeous and bewildered as ever.
It's sort of funny seeing other familiar white actors playing oriental parts.
This was better than 'Dracula has risen', but has a bad special effect when Dracula is resurrected, and takes too long setting up the scene in the abandoned church. The scenes of the old men in the brothel made me forget what kind of film it was supposed to be. But other than that, it was refreshing to see Christopher Lee letting others do his bidding.
This is still a disturbing film even now, especially the birth scene with the woman's legs strapped together.
Christopher Lee was on top sinister form and the rest of the cast was good. Even the much maligned ending wasn't too bad, and worked better than the way it was originally written. Just a little abrupt.
Pity Hammer never made more Dennis Wheatley adapations after this one.
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:38pm
Another apparently neglected gem from Hammer for them to show online.
Related to: Murder by Proxy (1955)
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:35pm
I enjoyed this film. The lack of a twist made the thin storyline a little predictable, but it was nice seeing Christopher Lee back in a Hammer horror and the other cast members were good, especially Jeffrey Dean Morgan who was pathetic and creepy at the same time as the needy and dangerous antagonist. It's more of a psychological thriller.
Related to: The Resident (2011)
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:31pm
I think this role really shows what a versatile and incredibly powerful presence Christopher Lee possesses, although the film does show the limitations of Hammer's resources, and filming it back to back with Dracula Prince of Darkness highlights the recycling of the over familiar sets to a distracting degree.
Related to: Rasputin The Mad Monk (1966)
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:27pm
I think Hammer should consider this for their Youtube streaming page aswell?
Related to: The Shadow Of The Cat (1961)
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:25pm
I never caught this one. I love Barbara Shelley and wish someone would put this out on DVD. Or as I said on other comment pages, perhaps Hammer could stream it on their Youtube page?
Related to: The Secret of Blood Island (1965)
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:24pm
Another overlooked Hammer film. Maybe a dvd release is not forthcoming, so perhaps it could be streamed on Youtube?
Related to: Steel Bayonet (1957)
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:22pm
An underrated Hammer adventure, which Columbia released on their region 1 dvd set, icons of adventure. Christopher Lee plays a sort of Fu Manchu character. It's a bit disturbing when they kill the main character's daughter, but he soon seems to forget about it, and Yvonne Monlaur looks as gorgeous and bewildered as ever. It's sort of funny seeing other familiar white actors playing oriental parts.
Related to: The Terror of the Tongs (1961)
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:18pm
This was better than 'Dracula has risen', but has a bad special effect when Dracula is resurrected, and takes too long setting up the scene in the abandoned church. The scenes of the old men in the brothel made me forget what kind of film it was supposed to be. But other than that, it was refreshing to see Christopher Lee letting others do his bidding.
Related to: Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:14pm
This is still a disturbing film even now, especially the birth scene with the woman's legs strapped together. Christopher Lee was on top sinister form and the rest of the cast was good. Even the much maligned ending wasn't too bad, and worked better than the way it was originally written. Just a little abrupt. Pity Hammer never made more Dennis Wheatley adapations after this one.
Related to: To The Devil A Daughter (1976)
redwhiteblue
Report
06 Oct 2012, 8:08pm
This is ripe for rediscovery on dvd, so hopefully it will get released sometime or maybe Hammer could show it on their new Youtube channel?
Related to: Visa to Canton (1961)