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Scars of Dracula |  | Director: Roy Ward Baker
Actors: Christopher Lee, Dennis Waterman, Jenny Hanley, Christopher Matthews, Patrick Troughton
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Category: DVD
Buy New: $99.99
as of 3/13/2010 13:00 CST details
New (4) Used (5) Collectible (1) from $40.39
Seller: classic_dvd
Rating:  70 reviews
Sales Rank: 34674
Format: Anamorphic, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 96 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: D11466D
UPC: 013131146691
EAN: 0013131146691
ASIN: B00005KHJP
Theatrical Release Date: December 23, 1970
Release Date: August 7, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
 "Open the door! I've something for you!" September 12, 2004
Matthew Newland (Tropical Montreal, Quebec)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
"Scars of Dracula" is a sort of 'odd man out' in the series of films released by Hammer Studios in that it has no place in the continuity (rather like the final film in the series, "Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires"). Basically, it re-writes the series as a sort of alternate "part one" ... therefore, it's a good place to start for anyone who hasn't seen any of these movies before.
"Scars" opens unpromisingly, I must begin by saying, but a lame resurrection for Our Favorite Vampire is compensated by some unforgettable moments immediately following it ... there's the torching of Dracula's castle following his murder of a young girl by the frightened townspeople, who are then led by their priest to the church where they discover ... well, I can't really tell you, but you'll certainly never forget. Some time passes following this incident, and we're soon introduced to a pair of brothers, the nice Simon and the naughty Paul (who's given a most amusing introduction), our protagonists for the remainder of the feature. Paul finds himself, as a result of his high spiritedness, at Dracula's doorstep and up to his kneecaps in a sludge full of trouble, only to be followed soon afterward by Simon and the lovely girl both brothers are sweet on in an effort to save him.
Though the plot is rather thin, the film succeeds thanks to a number of striking images/scenes ... Drac gets a lot of lines, which is great because Christopher Lee has such a fantastic voice, there are some nice sets, particularly the bedroom where the stabbing occurs (love the red candles and curtains ... I want a room like that! and the stabbing, though unexplained in the movie, is certainly unforgettable). There are also some nice moments like Paul's escape from that bedroom to Dracula's resting place in a virtually inaccessible crypt hollowed into the side of the mountain ... the mere idea of being trapped there with no way out, knowing it would be just a matter of time till Dracula wakes up and having no where to hide is just awful. The sight of the former "Doctor Who" himself, Patrick Troughton, hacking up the corpse of Dracula's stabbing victim is hard to shake (I particularly like the way he whistles cheerfully to himself as he gets ready to do it, laying out his tools and setting down drop clothes in case any blood splatters). Memorable too are the sight of Dracula's iris's glowing red from beneath his closed eyelids, along with the sequence featuring him spiderclimbing up the cliffside (which we also got to see in Francis Ford Coppola's version in 1992 ... but this movie did it first!). The music is excellent, especially the violins we hear when Dracula mesmerizes his young female victims. The climax of the film too is pretty nifty, with the cross-stealing bat (helpful friends, eh?), and a final act of God that helps Simon to put a stop to the vampire's mischief at the end (this isn't a spoiler ... don't tell me you really expected Dracula to win!).
"Scars of Dracula" was the last of the Gothic Dracula films ... from the next film on, the films of the series would either be set in budget-saving modern-day England or turn of the century China (seriously!) It works very well as an introduction to the series, as I said already, as it basically re-writes the back-story, making any of the previous films irrelevant, and as it was the last of its kind it works also as a nice stand-alone Dracula tale.
The DVD I purchased here at Amazon back in 2001 boasted some great extras, all of which were greatly enjoyed by me. There are extensive biographies of both star Christopher Lee and director Roy Ward Baker (both containing a lot of "Scars" specific comments from both of them), trailers, nicely, NICELY animated menus a slideshow style photo gallery that lets the pictures float by automatically while some creepy music accompanies the images in the background, and a highly informative and critical commentary by both Mr. Lee himself and the director (who are not afraid to voice their dissatisfaction with parts of the film). But the best extra of all comes in the form of a bonus disk ... it's a retrospective look on the career of Christopher Lee, given to us by the man himself as he looks into the camera and tells us about the various roles he was privileged to play over the years. The best part comes at the end when he mentions his fellow horror film co-stars "Peter" and "Vincent". Very sweet.
"Scars of Dracula" is not a perfect movie (as several things are never explained and the bats still look fake), but it's a lot of fun, and the things it does right are done so well that they more than compensate for the things that aren't. Do yourself a favor and buy a copy today. This film and it's extras will keep you entertained for hours.
Carry on Carry on,
MN
The Prince of Darkness returns! September 4, 2001
J.S. Clements (Ramona, CA United States)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Christopher Lee returns as the brutal and sadistic Count Dracula in this classic film. Scars of Dracula is believed by Hammer fans alike to be the most graphic and explicit film in the entire series. The level of violence and sex is a lot higher than in the previous Dracula movies. But don't let that stop you from buying this cult classic. I think that this film is the best in the series next to Horror of Dracula and contains some scenes that were straight from the novel, one of which has Dracula crawl down the wall of his castle. There is also a graphic scene which reflects Dracula as Vlad Tepes in which one of Dracula's victims is found impaled on the castle wall. If you are a Hammer/horror fan, do yourself a favor and buy SCARS OF DRACULA today.
EXCELLENT ATMOSPHERIC HORROR! April 21, 2001
Anthony (NY)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This entry in the series is perhaps the best, though it can be surpassed by HORROR OF DRACULA in some respects. A young couple runs afoul of the revived Count Dracula and his servant Klove, while in search of the man's missing brother. This film benefits greatly by an original and more elaborate screenplay, and Lee's phenomonal performance. Dracula is once again a more central character, giving him more to do and better lines. Lee gives his GREATEST performance yet, even though he personally disliked doing alot of Dracula films. Hammer also borrowed Universal's classic "firey mob" sequence for this film's opening, which also adds some early excitment as the mob of villagers attempts to end Dracula's reign by burning his castle. More is borrowed from Stoker's novel, such as Dracula scaling the castle walls and his vampire bats, whom he commands. This film is a bit gorier and has more sex than its predecessors, but don't let that stop you from buying this film(the gross scenes are few and brief). The night scenes filmed in daylight didn't bother me. Who cares? When you see Dracula awake, its night, so it doesn't matter. It helps the mood. The scenes outside the castle are dark, others are more light. This entry is very eerie, and well acted. Dracula's demise, while unorthodox, is the most original and is pretty cool!! Don't waste time, get SCARS OF DRACULA. It's the best example of Lee as Dracula, and is perhaps the darkest of the series!
A great Chris Lee classic June 18, 2005
A. Ross (New Zealand)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is considered the worst Lee Dracula film. I disagree. I think it's one of the best. For one thing it is easily the goriest Hammer Dracula film (it was the first one to get an R rating in the US) with some mild nudity thrown in. The violence is strong and savage and played to the hilt by Lee. Also there are two sequences that come directly from Bram Stoker's original Dracula novel--Dracula sleeping in a room with no way in or out--except a window; and when Dracula climbs UP the castle wall from window to window. It was great seeing Hammer at least (for once) TRYING to get some of Stoker's creation on screen. Also Patrick Troughton is very good as Dracula's servant Klove and even Christopher Matthews has a few moments as the doomed Paul. But Lee's acting is the main reason to see this. He has more screen time and dialogue in this than any of the other Draculas and he just gives out an incredible performance. You can't take your eyes off him when he's on screen.
The Best One January 26, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In Scars of Dracula Christopher Lee looks the best in this movie the sets and everything was great i like the part where the villagers come up to Castle Dracula and try to set it on Fire Scars of Dracula and Dracula A.D. 1972 are my two favorite ones in the series get this movie also check out The Other ones except Satanic Rites of Dracula
Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
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