Scars of Dracula
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Movie Reviews of Scars of Dracula
Movie Review: "Scars of Dracula" Is The Most Gory, Violent Installment In Hammer's Dracula Series
Summary: 4 Stars
The fans and critics are correct, "Scars of Dracula" is a departure from Hammer Production's Dracula series. It is definitely gorier and more violent than the others as though targeted for younger audiences who were craving more gore and violence in the early seventies. In "Scars of Dracula," Dracula appears more evil and diabolical. His violent outbursts are quite shocking. Perhaps he hasn't been getting enough sleep. That would explain the bloodshot eyes. Furthermore, Dracula always had a sense of class and breeding; in this film, he's a veritable brute.
I enjoyed "Scars of Dracula." Though I don't consider myself a gore hound, I do love a high body count. This movie promised an extremely high one but I was disappointed. It begins with a bang: The mass spilling of innocent blood inside a church (quite blasphemous and daring for 1970). However, the pace slows down and never quite picks up. The ending itself wasn't anything spectacular or memorable. However, I'll never forget when Dracula loses his temper and repeatedly stabs his vampire girlfriend with a knife.
As always, horror legend Christopher Lee has great stage presence. His performance as Dracula is still superb despite character alterations. Unlike, "Dracula: Prince of Darkness," he actually speaks instead of only appearing sinister. I was thankful for this. I am very fond of Lee's deep, manly voice. It sounds both charming and villainous at the same time. You must add "Scars of Dracula" to your Christopher Lee Dracula series from Hammer Production. In fact, it is highly recommended for all fans of Lee.
Note of Interest: I ordered "Scars of Dracula" new from Amazon.com. The jewel case did not have the bonus DVD as advertised on the cover. Nor did it have the customary movie poster. I was very disappointed that Anchor Bay failed to include these items in my purchase.
Movie Review: The Prince Returns!
Summary: 4 Stars
Anchor Bay has just released Hammer Dracula film No. 5 on DVD. Christopher Lee starred in 15 Dracula epics, 7 for Hammer Films. Released in 1970, shortly after "Taste the Blood of Dracula", "Scars of Dracula" is violent and sadistic, with a rapid pace throughout. An attractive young couple spends the night at a gloomy old castle, and well...guess what! Right out of Bram Stoker, the Count crawls straight up the tower wall. But rubber bats and night and day scene jump cuts damage the final result. "Scars" was the first "R" rated Hammer release in the U.S.. A clear, crisp DVD from an excellent source, the print is presented in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. "Scars" has an audio commentary with the director and Lee himself. The horror star looks back on his years at Hammer and plugs his new book. But there's treasure here! If you're a true Lee fan, you must have the extra DVD, "Many Faces of Christopher Lee(not available on all releases)". The 65 minute film, made by the BBC in 1995, is a masterful walk down the Christopher Lee career, and narrated by the star himself. It includes clips from many of his 250 film roles. Lee started in 1948, with a bit part as a spear carrier in "Hamlet", and will appear in the 2002 release of "Star Wars: Episode II-Attack of the Clones". In the documentary, he examines Dracula and Bela Lugosi, comedic moments from the Fu Manchu films, and memories of SNL and John Belushi. 2 videos are included; giving you scenes of Lee dancing and singing 3 songs. Towards the end, with a tear in his eye, he mentions the passing of 2 close actor/friends. They were both very noble human beings. They're names were Vincent and Peter...Movie Review: Scars? Getting Hardpressed For Titles Weren't They?
Summary: 4 Stars
Yes, the Hammer Dracula series continues, and this would be the last of the gothic era films. Roy Ward Baker has inherited the franchise and he does a rather good directing job considering the material isn't too original this time around. In the previous film, they tried to up the ante a bit by slapping an R rating on the series. It didn't really seem to achieve one, but Scars does. One scene has Dracula violently stabbing a woman to death. This may not be too shocking by today's standards, but it probably shocked at the time. It still is kinda brutal though. Plus we have a church full of bloody corpses from a rubber vampire bat attack. Scars also seems to be a sequel to Taste, though there are some major continuity errors between the two. This film has my vote for the most laughable "birth"(especially the birth!) and "death" of Dracula. Plotwise, it's rather simple. A couple of unsuspecting Britishfolk stumble onto Dracula's castle and must escape and destroy the evil. That's really about it. Dracula's a little more talkative this time around. Though Lee supposedly was sick of the role by this time, he can still do it like no one can. Even a tired performance by Lee is a good one! Of course we get the great gothic atmosphere, a sinister castle, sexy women and Michael Ripper! What more do you need? Plus it comes with a great Christopher Lee documentary/interview disc that runs about an hour. Man, he really seems like a cool guy. Well worth it.Movie Review: DVD vs VHS
Summary: 4 Stars
I just recently obtained the Scars of Dracula dvd after having the vhs version for over 10 years. There is a difference in screen formats which made me think "Why don't they just release the dvd in full screen?" I compared the picture of the dvd to the vhs because I noticed something missing. 1:85 matted formats cut out the top and bottom of the picture to make it "resemble" widescreen. Sure enough, black bars at the top and bottom replaced the full vhs picture on the dvd. I recently read an article that stated 1:85 matted is what the director originally wanted. In 2 different movies a boom mike was shown at the top of the Princess Bride scene while shorts were shown on a character in A Fish Called Wanda who was supposed to be naked. These examples explained to me some films are matted in this fashion.
The Scars of Dracula dvd's color and clarity were far superior to that of the vhs. The bright reds were a sight to behold, and I found that the night scenes, which were too dark in the vhs version, to be clear and crisp in the dvd. Dracula's resurrection in the castle where he walks to the window was mottled and dark on my original vhs tape. The dvd also wins with the extra features and commentary by Lee. I would have rated this as 5 stars if I knew more about the matted format, which I deducted a star from.
Movie Review: Scars Of Dracula: A Masterpeice
Summary: 4 Stars
TO: Hammer Film Fans
The Good:
There are many scenes from Bram Stoker's book in this film. it is actually not that violent, thought it is worse than somne of he other Dracula films. The scene where there is a dead woman, with her eye ripped out in the church was called the most blasphemous, and discusting scene in the series, in Lips of Blood, a hammer dracula guide. the most blasphemous and discusting scene in the series was the one in Satanic Rites of Dracula. In that scene a woman is being cut up on an atlar in a church, in a satanic ritual. The film recived an R, but I'm not sure why. there was a little blood, some sadistic violence, and that is pretty much it.
The plot involves a man, Paul who runs away from the burgermister, and his daughter, who he was dating. Paul runs off tto castle dracula, and gets himself killed by dracula, and his mate. (This scene was similar to the one in Horror Of Dracula, only it had more gore.) His brother, Simon and his brother's girlfreind, Sarah go to the castle, and find him dead, confronting Dracula.. Great story!
The Bad:
The film is somewhat gory. In the last film Dracula was in Engand when he died, and now his remains are near his castle.
FROM: The Hammer Film Reveiwer