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In Part One we celebrated Dracula’s return to terrifying form in the movie that proved to be Christopher Lee’s last appearance as the Count in a Hammer production. We covered the star’s very public criticism of the films, how recent commentators have warmed to The Satanic Rites of Dracula, and the elements which make it such an engrossing watch. Now we delve into its release and how filming those final glorious moments proved to be an ordeal that was bloodier than anyone had counted on…
Birthdays are always tricky, aren’t they? A cause for celebration and consternation. A time to party, and privately ponder. Emily Dickinson wrote, ‘We turn not older with years but newer every day,’ which sounds great until you stop to analyse it and realise she was probably just trying to console someone hitting a milestone birthday. Bob Hope, on the other hand, said, ‘You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake,’ which lacks the solemnity of Dickinson’s comment, but feels more authentic.
If you like wisecracking, hard-hitting heroes, mysterious femme fatales and bad guys who’ve got old-school, velvet villainy down to a tee, you’re in luck. Or if you’re a fan of stories that serve up murder, mystery and romance with a dash of humour and a soupçon of noir, this one’s for you. Because the next title to be released by Hammer Films will be the glorious Whispering Smith Hits London (1952).
Sneered at, jeered at and pilloried, The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1974) has been routinely derided for over half a century. It has been tried in the court of public opinion and found to be guilty. Of being ‘weak’, ‘silly and dull’ and even ‘a disgrace’. Its closing moments, depicting the ultimate death of Dracula, has been condemned with particular scorn. (‘The last nail in this film’s coffin is its insulting finale…’) All these opinions are valid, of course, simply because they are just that. Opinions. But this then, is the case for the defence.
As we hurtle towards the end of October, we’re here to make sure you’re watching the very best movies to celebrate Hallowe’en. Films that will put a smile on your face and send a shiver down your spine! To arm you with the most effective recommendations we’ve selected 12 of the scariest scenes in Hammer’s output since the 1930s. From the chilling and unnerving to the downright terrifying, we hope there’s something here for everyone…