Review: 'The Brides Of Dracula' a Solid Hammer Horror

Even though the character of Dracula doesn't appear in the sequel to 1958's "Dracula" film, the second movie in the long-running Hammer Films series still has scads of sharp-toothed undead vampires. "The Brides of Dracula" again starred Peter Cushing as Dr. Van Helsing, and a new Blu-ray from Shout Factory enhances the infamous Hammer movie sets that were used.

Basically a continuation of what Dr. Helsing has been up to, "The Brides of Dracula" opens with an intriguing ride through Transylvania. We're introduced to Marianne (Yvonne Monlaur), who's en route to a new teaching job at a nearby boarding school.

Like most other Dracula horror movies, Marianne becomes stranded in Transylvania and must seek refuge at a nearby castle, urged on by Baroness Meinster (Martitia Hunt). But there's a handsome man, Baron Meinster, who keeps appearing outside of the castle. Marianne frees the bounded man from his restraints, unknowingly freeing a vampire set on recruiting others in his bloody quest.

Baron Meinster, played by David Peel, exudes just the right amount of sex appeal in his Dracula-like role. Peter Cushing also plays Van Helsing straight, instead of the caricature the character becomes in the latter "Dracula" sequels.

"The Brides of Dracula" is a reliable Hammer Films presentation and should be added to one's Blu-ray collection. "The Eternal and the Damned – The Making of The Brides of Dracula," an extensive documentary, complements the film nicely and features interviews with those involved in the making of the film.

"The Brides of Dracula" is out on Blu-ray from Shout! Factory on November 10, 2020.