Young teacher, Marianne Danielle, is heading to a small village in Transylvania to teach French at a girl's school when she is welcomed to stay overnight at a castle. It is here where she inadvertently unleashes the horrors of the undead once again on the populace, including those at her school. Fortunately, Dr. Van Helsing is already on his way but can he stop this evil from spreading? Brides of Dracula is the follow-up to the widely successful Hammer Horror production of Dracula (1958), which has since held the title as one of the most definitive depictions of the character and story. Naturally, a sequel was planned to follow after the stupendous hit however one component would be lacking in this continuation, that being the leading villain. Christopher Lee, who played the iconic Dracula, turned down the opportunity to appear in this sequel. It is unclear exactly why although there are many rumours out there. The one I heard most was that he was afraid of becoming typecast though if that is true is uncertain. His absence certainly feels like a detrimental blow to the film however it rose above and delivered an equally exceptional movie amid its flaws. Whilst no Lee, we are at least treated to the return of Peter Cushing as the admirable Van Helsing who continues his story (essentially a sequel to his adventures) and elevates the entire production with all his scenes. Equally lending to this picture is the return of director Terence Fisher, whose style yet again brings an exceptionally atmospheric picture to the Hammer franchise. Simply the opening of a dark night in a forest surrounded by mist and fog sets the tone perfectly for the horror ahead. Another aspect this film masters is setting up a creepy ambience with plenty of scenes, dialogue and moments reinforcing this. Whilst ever present, I feel this came into play at the arrival at Baroness Meinster's castle where she reveals information about her son, Baron Meinster being locked away there after having gone 'mad'. Even when he is uncovered by Marianne, his, predicament is especially creepy showing his chained state, confining him permanently to the room. Of course, little does she know it is for the good of everyone else but after being manipulated by the handsome man, she unknowingly sets him upon the folk of the village and school. This brings me to our leading villain, the Baron played by David Peel. Now it was always a given fact he would be no match in filling the shoes of Lee's performance and since not being Dracula that is a further given. As a by-the-mill vampire to face off against he is adequate. He is probably not my favourite, naturally that remains firmly with Lee, but I thought it a very fascinating direction to take, giving us a new villain to face off with before a return to the main article. Marianne is a fine character too although not having a great deal to do besides releasing the evil but her interactions with Helsing are truly brilliant and I loved the father/daughter dynamic they shared. Some of the highlight performances have to go to that of the, well, 'brides of Dracula' who have such terrific design and presence. Both of their respective scenes of rising from their resting places, now undead, were phenomenal and probably the best I have ever seen. Nevertheless, Cushing's Van Helsing remains on top delivering the greatest performance. I adored every moment with him from his skills and ingenuity right up to the climactic showdown at the windmill, which was my favourite part. Whilst not topping the first film's this one comes pretty darn close with Helsing even getting bested slightly where he is forced to enact a quick-thinking remedy that I have never before seen done in any vampire picture and it was amazingly acted. Plus the use of the windmill in the fight was just as creative mixed with the other special effects made for a true spectacle of an ending. Overall, Brides of Dracula is a superb continuation of the Hammer Dracula franchise and a promising sequel to the first. Whilst no feature of Dracula, the story delivered is still worthwhile and every other factor only elevates it to a higher standing. This is certainly one you don't want to skip in the franchise. Check out the next instalment in Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966).
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