Director: Freddie Francis

Starring: Christopher Lee, Rupert Davies, Ewan Hooper, Barry Andrews, Veronica Carlson, Barbara Ewing

Bit parts: Michael Ripper (obviously) as Max, the baker - honestly (and it's only just occurred to me); George A Cooper (the caretaker in Grange Hill; Billy Fisher's dad in the TV version of Billy Liar. 

Fact: Davies and Hooper both starred as coppers in their own TV series from different eras (Davies in Maigret in the 50s: Hooper in Hunter's Walk in the 70s).

Lie: Sunderland' 1973 FA Cup-winning manager Bob Stokoe was nicknamed 'Bram Stokoe' because men - and sportsmen in particular - have problems with both intimacy and bullying, and hide their latent homosexuality behind a veneer of 'banter'. Stokoe DID sleep in a coffin, however.

Screenplay: John Elder (Anthony Hinds)

Cinematography: Arthur Grant

In One Line: Dracula is brought back to life by the blood of a priest.

Summary

Dracula has drowned, but the villagers who live in the shadow of his castle refuse to go to mass. A priest (played by Hooper -he is given no name in the film) cannot persuade them otherwise and turns to drink (a bit like Rio Bravo). Vampire hunter and exorcist, The Monsignor (Davies - no name again) arrives and persuades Hooper to join him on a trip up the mountain to exorcise Dracula's castle with a huge gold cross.

On the way back down, Hooper stumbles, cracks his head open and fortuitously brings the Count back to life as the blood from the wound flows into the mouth of Dracula's ice trapped body.

Dracula cannot enter his own castle and plans his revenge. He goes down to the village and bites the Monsignor's niece (Carlson).

Davies and Maria's student fiancée Paul (Andrews) set off to save her.

Commentary 

Like most Hammer films, it's essentially a not-so-clever subliminal morality tale, told in a crude, clumsy fashion, but there are numerous compensations including the brilliant psychedelic titles, an effective sense of dread (particularly in the opening scenes) and a great, unpleasant parody of the Crucifixion with Dracula impaled on the foreshadowed gold cross with blood pouring from his eyes.

Screenwriter Hinds was a tee-totaller and the usual dangers of drink theme rears its ugly head as Paul gets bladdered, loses control (of his libido rather than his bowels) and makes a play for the 'bosomy' serving wench Zena (Ewing) after being knocked back by the virginal Carlson.

Director Francis was one of the world's greatest cinematographers, producing a masterful body of work with a host of great directors, and particularly remembered for his work with David Lynch. Freddie was not averse to some schlock horror, and DHRFTG benefits from his vision. (Well, occasionally it does). 

Ewing played yet another 'bosomy' commoner in ITV's execrable Brass in the early eighties; Andrews is probably best remembered for his Yorkie ads and Master Baker Michael Ripper is a legend amongst us bit-part afficionados for being the only serious rival to God Star Sam Kydd.

A splendid, late-night, 'let's get the ale out' British horror film

6/10