DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS

(a.k.a. DRACULA 3; DISCIPLE OF DRACULA; THE BLOODY SCREAM OF DRACULA; REVENGE OF DRACULA)

Opening with a flashy, stylish summary of the closing moments of the superior HORROR OF DRACULA, DARKNESS immediately reminds us that when we last saw the Count (Christopher Lee) he had been reduced by sunlight to a pile of ashes.

But that doesn't stop nearby villagers living in fear of his imposing castle, even several years later in this belated sequel.

The Count is resurrected when two couples, the younger members of the Kent family (including the lovely Barbara Shelley [RASPUTIN: THE MAD MONK; THE GORGON] and heroic Francis Matthews [one-time voice of TV's CAPTAIN SCARLET!]) are travelling by coach through the countryside. Ignoring a wide-eyed priest's advice to stay clear of the village of Carlsbad.

Even their coach driver abandons them at the opening to the village. But our foolhardy foursome make haste for the village, and are welcomed into the Count's castle by his new servant, the amusingly creepy Klove (Philip Latham - SPY STORY - hamming it up wonderfully).

Before long, Klove's odd hospitality has been dampened by the Count's reappearance, and while ole Drac may be short on dialogue his bloodlust has not been lessened with age. Indeed, only one couple make it out of the castle and race to the hoped safety of a neighbouring monastery.

It's here that we meet Father Shandor (Andrew Keir, QUATERMASS AND THE PIT; DALEKS' INVASION EARTH: 2150 A.D.), who vows to help the hapless youngsters as Dracula arrives in hot pursuit. The climactic battle, where Dracula and the hero indulge in a punch-up on an iced-over lake as it begins to crack, is unintentionally hilarious. But endearing in it's silliness, with the OTT orchestral score only adding to the melodramatic nonsense vamping up the screen.

Ultimately, DARKNESS is not a patch on its 1958 predecessor. As great as Keir is as the avenging Holy man (he really is the best thing on offer), he's no match for the natural charisma and presence of Peter Cushing. Also, the film relies on a plot that tries to stay true to the spirit of Bram Stoker's literary source, yet doesn't really know where to go with it's flimsy premise. Lee is as cool as ever in the black-and-red cape, but frustratingly doesn't get given enough to do.

Having said all that, the lush outdoor photography, buxom costume designs and a young Shelley as a nubile would-be victim combine to make this a flawed but highly watchable entry in the Hammer canon.

The film is presented in 2.35:1 and has been anamorphically enhanced for 16x9 TVs. Despite occasional grain in darker scenes, the overall impression is of a very pleasing transfer - sharp and bright. Fans who bought the previous DVD release will notice a marked improvement in video quality.

The original English mono soundtrack has been preserved and serves the picture well. Sadly, there are no optional English subtitles.

The movie can be accessed via 12 chapters, by way of a boring static menu page.

The only extra on the disc is an excellent 57-minute documentary from the mid-90s entitled THE MANY FACES OF CHRISTOPHER LEE.

In the documentary, Lee sits in a hotel room filled with props and addresses the camera for a warm, candid stroll through his early career. We get to hear his comments on why returned to his most famous role in PRINCE OF DARKNESS, as well as a practical lesson in fencing to celebrate the great thesp's love of his sword-fighting roles in the MUSKETEERS films of the 70s.

Elsewhere, Lee speaks fondly of departed friends Peter Cushing and Vincent Price, and comes over all glassy-eyed when discussing his favourite - that of Lord Summerisle in THE WICKER MAN.

At times very funny (some of Lee's mannerisms are uncannily similar to those of Alan Partridge), Lee is never less than sincere, informative and engrossing to watch. A true star.

The only downsides of an otherwise essential featurette are that it's clips include finale shots from DARKNESS, RASPUTIN and THE DEVIL RIDES OUT (so make sure you've seen them before you watch this), and the documentary is outdated now - so don't expect any mention of, say, Jackson's RINGS trilogy.

Still, MANY FACES is an excellent snapshot of Lee assessing his career to a certain point, and is worth the price of the disc alone.

DARKNESS is a so-so addition to Lee's DRACULA legacy. This disc, however, with a nice anamorphic presentation and the superb documentary attached to it, is well worth forking out for.

Review by Stu Willis