6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Count Dracula rises from the grave once again. Buckets of blood and vats of violence follow. A young man and his girlfriend find themselves in Dracula's castle where Dracula sinks his teeth into five victims and tortures a servant in a graphically violent scene. A priest is attacked by a bat and meets his maker much earlier than anticipated. Naturally, the girl is soon coveted by Dracula, and the heroic young man must come to her rescue. There are typical scenes of religious defilement, arson, and the requisite wooden cross that wards off the evil bloodsucker...
Starring: Christopher Lee, Dennis Waterman, Jenny Hanley, Christopher Matthews, Patrick TroughtonHorror | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1, 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
For 1970’s “Scars of Dracula,” actor Christopher Lee tries to make a part he’s played four times before interesting for himself. This Dracula isn’t quite the hair-raising monster of menace as previously seen, emerging in this Hammer Films production as more of a talky antagonist, imagined as a threatening host for a weekend of horrors inside his own castle. There should be more frights to “Scars of Dracula,” but there’s little room in the budget for a consistent run of intimidation. Instead, there’s conversation, with the movie more about padding than applying genre pressure, though Baker does manage to get some proper hits of shock into the feature. There’s just not enough of that to carry the viewing experience.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Scars of Dracula" offers a film-like viewing experience, with strong detail throughout. Textures are valued on gory close-ups and costuming, while set decoration, including velvety fabrics and stonework, comes through with appealing definition. Facial particulars are appreciable, with age and makeup work noted. Colors are defined, leading with deep reds, which the movie encounters often (Dracula's evil eyes are a highlight). Period purples and blues are inviting as well. Skintones are natural. Delineation is comfortable with some solidification on heavy outfits. Grain is tastefully managed. Source is in decent condition, without any intense wear and tear.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix presents a satisfactory listening event, though highs register a little too sharp at times, necessitating some volume riding. Dialogue exchanges are direct, with performances clear enough for inspection, picking up on dramatic intensity and accented banter. Scoring is acceptable, providing needed energy to the effort as it works to conjure mood with acceptable instrumentation. Atmospherics are blunt but passable, isolating some castle spookiness and village commotion. Sound effects are equally loud.
Baker masterminds a handful of highlights, including some extreme gore (with helpful snap zooms to point out the ugliness), and there's mild stunt work to get energy going. "Scars of Dracula" has some tech achievements, and the score by James Bernard helps to set the mood, but once Lee exits the frame, the whole endeavor noticeably deflates, unable to get by on Hammer Films atmosphere alone.
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