Dracula Has Risen from the Grave is Christopher Lee’s third time playing Count Dracula for Hammer Film Productions and their fourth Dracula film in the series.It follows a familiar story of Dracula awakening, getting someone to do his bidding, and pursuing a beautiful young woman.
Buy Dracula Has Risen from the Grave from Movie ZyngHas Risen opens during the previous film, Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966), as an altar boy finds a dead woman stuffed into a church bell. Has Risen then jumps ahead a year after Dracula had been killed but the villagers are still scared of his presence. They refuse to go to attend mass because the shadow of Dracula’s castle touches the church
Visiting Monsignor Ernst Mueller (Rupert Davies) can’t believe this and to regain the parishioners for the priest (Ewan Hooper), they both go to perform an exorcism at the castle. With a lightning storm adding to his fear, the priest runs away scared, falls down, and bloodies himself. Only in a movie, he lands right where Dracula is buried, cracking the ice. Blood from his body trickles down and falls upon Dracula’s lips, awakening him for yet more mayhem which is what the audience has come for.
The priest becomes Dracula’s new Renfield and does his bidding, and when Dracula learns the Mueller placed a golden across the door, he seeks revenge. Mueller returns home in time for his niece Marie’s (Veronica Carlson) birthday. She has invited over a young suitor, Paul (Barry Andrews), a restaurant baker, who is studying for great things. Unfortunately, he admits to being an atheist, which riles up the Monsignor, who requests him to leave.
Barmaid Zena (Barbara Ewing) is the first to feel Dracula’s bite this go-round. She falls under his spell after being bitten, but Dracula wants Marie. Zena brings her to him, but before anything can happen Paul runs Dracula off, a failure the Count blames on Zena and punishes her.
Dracula finally finds Marie at her home (apparently needing to be invited in is not part of the vampire mythos here) and bites her. Mueller discovers Marie has been bit and works with Paul to save his niece. Paul pursues as Dracula takes Maria to his castle for a final battle where the bloody ending, while not foreshadowed subtly, is satisfying.
The video has been given a 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC encoded transfer displayed at an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The colors come through in strong hues, from the earth tones in the villages and establishments to the red seen in Dracula’s cape and various blood splatter. Some colors appear through filters that frame the shot, such as the yellowish tint framing Mueller at Dracula’s castle. While others are choices in lighting executed by Cinematography Arthur Grant. Blacks are inky. Film grain is apparent as is the heavy make-up used to create neck wounds because some times high definition brings too much clarity. The image looks clean, free from dirt and damage. The audio is available in DTS-HD Master Audio Mono. Dialogue is clear. The limited effects are noticeable. Composer James Bernard’s score can be loud for effect but doesn’t come through with full fidelity. There are no extras.
Buy Dracula Has Risen from the Grave from AmazonDracula Has Risen from the Grave is not a standout in the Hammer series but there are a few scenes of thrills and chills that make it an entertaining watch as Lee’s Count Dracula mesmerizes victims and the audience. The Blu-ray video is likely worth upgrading from a lesser format, even though the lack of extras is disappointing.
