Christopher Lee: Dracula
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Christopher Lee Stars as Dracula
As a youngster growing up in the UK, these Christopher Lee films were my introduction to the classic bloodsucker. While the character created by Hammer Films was somewhat far removed from the one that appeared in the novel written by Bram Stoker, Lee's interpretation of Dracula is nonetheless truly unforgettable.
The movies themselves have become cult classics over the years and remembered with affection (and ample helpings of fear) by those of a certain age.
For myself, although I never saw the films at the cinema, these Dracula movies became part of my staple television viewing late on Friday or Saturday nights some decades ago. I guess you could say: Fangs for the memory!
Image credit: Christopher Lee as Dracula available at Allposters.com
Contents at a Glance
Christopher Lee is Dracula!
Lee was perfect casting. His imposing stature, growling voice and piercing eyes were the stuff of nightmares, provoking many a gasp or scream from both cinema and television audiences alike.
Lee's first outing as Dracula came in glorious Technicolor in 1958 and was the template for several more sequels over the years. Simply Dracula in the UK, the film was retitled The Horror of Dracula in the USA. Based on Bram Stoker's novel, there were several detail deviations, but this was inevitable for a movie of eighty minutes. One thing that was not changed was Dracula's talent for hypnotizing pretty young women with his eyes.
Full face fang shots of Dracula's penetrating, red bloodshot eyes would soon become a trademark of Christopher Lee's performances, sending a shudder down the spine of even the most experienced of horror watchers.
The Dracula Movies Starring Christopher Lee
Made By Hammer Films
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Dracula
(1958)
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Dracula: Prince of Darkness
(1966)
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Dracula Has Risen From The Grave
(1968)
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Taste the Blood of Dracula
(1969)
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Scars of Dracula
(1970)
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Dracula A.D. 1972
(1972)
- The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973)
A Video Tribute to Christopher Lee's Dracula
1966: Dracula, Prince of Darkness
A production still from the second film starring Christopher Lee, Dracula: Prince of Darkness. Lee does not utter a word in this one, having later stated that the dialogue written for him was so dire that he refused to speak any of it.
Christopher Lee - Dracula: Prince of Darkness
Available From Allposters.com
Four Dracula Favorites
Starring Christopher Lee
Draculas: 4 Film Favorites (Horror of Dracula / Dracula Has Risen from the Grave / Taste the Blood of Dracula / Dracula A.D. 1972)
Amazon Price: $6.55 (as of 02/23/2012)
List Price: $17.94
Four of the Dracula movies starring Christopher Lee are gathered together here on one DVD collection for a very reasonable price.
1968: Dracula Has Risen From the Grave
1970: Taste the Blood of Dracula
Christopher Lee - Dracula Has Risen from the Grave
Available From Allposters.com
Taste the Blood of Dracula, Christopher Lee, 1970
Available at Allposters.com
A Dracula Double Header
From the Hammer Studios
Dracula Prince of Darkness/The Satanic Rites of Dracula
Amazon Price: $24.80 (as of 02/23/2012)
List Price: $24.98
A wonderful double feature of Dracula movies bringing together one film from the 1960s and one from the 1970s.
1970: Scars of Dracula
1972: Dracula: AD 1972
Dracula: AD 1972, however, is a completely separate film, bringing the Count into modern day England of the 1970s. This time Dracula breaths again following a black magic ceremony in a deserted and abandoned church.
Christopher Lee - Scars of Dracula
Available From Allposters.com
Christopher Lee - Dracula A.D. 1972
Available at Allposters.com
Scars of Dracula on DVD
Scars of Dracula
Amazon Price: $68.59 (as of 02/23/2012)
Used Price: $19.98
Although Scars of Dracula is currently out of print, the DVD can still be found on sale by several sellers through Amazon.
Usually ships in 24 hours
1973: The Satanic Rites of Dracula
This one continued on from the previous film, with many of the cast from that production included. Christopher Lee, however, would never appear again as the Count, citing the movie as one Hammer Dracula too far.
The Christopher Lee/Dracula Poll
What's Your Opinion?
Christopher Lee & Dracula in the News
Frequently Updated Headlines
- Review: Dracula Prince of Darkness Blu Ray
- ... of implied lesbianism - the movie's biggest asset is unquestionably Sir Christopher Lee. Despite competition from the likes of Frank Langella, Bela Lugosi, and more recently Gary Oldman, Lee is still considered to be the quintessential Dracula.
- I want to show what it's like going to prison: Christopher Lee
- By Kwok Kar Peng In his upcoming Channel U drama Show Hand, MediaCorp actor Christopher Lee plays a former actor and ex-convict. In October 2006, a drunken Lee was behind the wheel of his car when it hit a motorcyclist and his pillion rider, ...
- Hammer back from the dead and proving it means creepy business
- Any decision to revisit Dracula would be a bold one, not simply because it could be seen as contrary to Oakes's vision of a refreshed, forward-looking Hammer, but because many regarded Dracula AD 1972 (which featured a caped Christopher Lee parading ...
- Asian Stocks Drop, Aussie Weakens on Economic Growth Concerns; Oil Falls
- Enlarge image US Stocks Rise on Employment Data as Treasuries Erase Loss US Stocks Rise on Employment Data as Treasuries Erase Loss Jin Lee/Bloomberg Christopher Culhane of Barclays Capital, left, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange ...
Do You Agree With Me?
Was Christopher Lee the best movie Dracula?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, I absolutlely agree!
TheLittleCardShop says:
Absolutely! There was something in his eyes and face expression, besides his acting that make him the best Dracula ever!
Posted January 04, 2012
davespeed says:
Yes. I can remember watching him as Dracula when I was a kid. Scared me to death!
Posted December 03, 2011
Panagiotis K. says:
Y-E-S
Posted November 27, 2011
Rocket74 says:
Christopher Lee was the best Dracula. Bela Lugosi was great but I think Lee was just a little bit better and I think Lee's Dracula films are also better.
Posted October 15, 2011
YayasHome says:
I agree; as Dracula, Christopher Lee had it hands down over anyone else who played the part.
Posted September 25, 2011
clouda9 says:
Without a doubt! He scared the bee-jeez outta me with his realistic portrayal of Dracula.
Posted September 06, 2011
Photahsiamirabel says:
Absolutely! He is a superb actor and scared the pants off me as Dracula when I was a kid! :D
Posted September 06, 2011
No, I have another favorite movie Dracula!
christopherwell says:
Christopher Lee was really good, but I still love seeing Bela Lugosi the two times he did the role.
Posted October 14, 2011
JimH says:
I enjoyed all of Lee's horror movie work but I'll give a slight edge to Lugosi as Dracula.
Posted September 30, 2011
nancycarol says:
No, I grew up with the Bela Lugosi portrayal of Dracula, and to me he was much spookier than Christopher Lee. But that's just me.....
Posted September 22, 2011
In addition to the fictional title of Count in the Dracula movies, Lee became a real life Sir in 2009.
Give Dracula A Caption!
A Fun Challenge!
Although there was very little humor in the Dracula movies, let's lighten the mood by giving this Christopher Lee image a suitably fun caption. So, why not get your teeth into this challenge and imagine what Dracula might be saying or thinking here.
1
Wagon Wheels are yummy! and the toothpicks are built in
3 points
2
Grrrr ... I could spit spokes
2 points
3
Wheel eat again, don't know where ...
2 points
4
"Wheel" you be my vamp bride? **groan** :)
1 point
5
I'll teach you to park on my lawn!
1 point
6
This is what I get for trying to get my victims out of their carriage
1 point
7
One stake through the heart is bad enough! A whole wheel of spikes is downright Annoying.
0 points
8
I need to sink my teeth into something. A midnight bite perhaps?
0 points
9
Yaaaahhhh! Who spiked my drink?
0 points
About This Christopher Lee Fan
With each article, Richard invites you to step into his world of music, television and entertainment. He will introduce you to The Top 10 Albums in the UK, share The 20 Scariest Film Scores Ever? and even give you an up close look at some popular actresses like Diana Rigg.
For a complete list of Richard's articles on Squidoo, please visit Waxing-Lyrical on Squidoo.
Is Dracula Your Favorite Horror Character?
Your Comments Are Welcomed!
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Reply
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alwaysjules
Jan 9, 2012 @ 3:52 pm | delete
- Happy New Year! Congratulations on your lens being chosen as a top 100 Community Favorite for 2011! Christopher Lee is scary, but I think the old Bela Lugosi film scared me the most.
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TheLittleCardShop
Jan 4, 2012 @ 12:19 pm | delete
- Christopher Lee's Dracula movies are the ones that scared me the most, he is the best Dracula!
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Auntiekatkat
Dec 31, 2011 @ 10:21 pm | delete
- Congrats on being nominated for Community Favorite Lenses of 2011. A wonderful lens. Fortunately we both share one thing it was easier to vote than for most as mine was my "why-I-am a- vegetarian was nominated as well. A proud moment for all of us. Good luck in the voting.
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JoyfulReviewer
Dec 31, 2011 @ 2:45 pm | delete
- I'm not into horror movies, but Christopher Lee as Dracula seems to be a real classic. Congratulations on being one of the final 100 favorite Squidoo lenses of 2011!
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OhMe
Dec 30, 2011 @ 2:33 pm | delete
- I was always afraid to Dracula but enjoyed reading about Christopher Lee. Congrats on being in the top 100 Community Favorites
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dvdmoviereviews
Dec 7, 2011 @ 6:53 pm | delete
- the only dracula
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Photahsiamirabel
Nov 27, 2011 @ 7:29 am | delete
- Still loving Christopher lee as Dracula :) Returned to bless this lens now I am allowed to roam :D
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tembrooke
Nov 19, 2011 @ 5:15 pm | delete
- Wow -- I had no idea Christopher Lee played Dracula! I only know him from the Lord of the Rings films. I'm not sure I have a favorite Dracula... I love the character but I can't think of any films where I was really satisfied with him. Maybe I should watch the ones with Christopher Lee? :-)
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christopherwell
Oct 14, 2011 @ 10:10 am | delete
- Great lens! I don't know if Dracula is my "favorite," but all the core Universal (and, then, Hammer) monsters are great.
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DamicoLand
Sep 30, 2011 @ 3:29 pm | delete
- This lens is toooo cool. I agree with andreaberrios. Christopher Lee was the best Dracula.
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by Waxing-Lyrical
Dracula, as played by Christopher Lee, has always been one of my favorite horror characters.
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