Displaying items by tag: Christopher Lee

SCARS OF DRACULA

UK, 1970, 95 minutes, Colour.

Christopher Lee, Dennis Waterman, Jenny Hanley, Christopher Matthews, Patrick Troughton, Michael Gwynn, Michael Ripper.

Directed by Roy Ward Baker.

Scars of Dracula is one of the least persuasive of Christopher Lee’s Dracula films. And there were many. From the 1950s through the 1960s and several in the 1970s, even Taste the Blood Dracula released in the same year as this one.

One can say that Christopher Lee would do the role of Dracula in his sleep – and, in fact, in the early sequences of this film he is asleep (and another is seen later). His presence is somewhat iconic (and remembering that he was in his late 40s and The Lord of the Rings was 30 years in the future). He stands, gazes, bloodshot eyes, moves slowly, gazes for the blood and sexuality of his victims…

In fact, the IMDb quotes Christopher Lee: During an interview, Christopher Lee expressed his well-known frustration with this film: "I was a pantomime villain. Everything was over the top, especially the giant bat whose electrically motored wings flapped with slow deliberation as if it were doing morning exercises."

The film opens with a frequent sequence for Hammer horror, a dead body, scars of Dracula, the village upset, leaving a revolt and storming the castle. But, this story focuses on two young men, not particularly well acted by Christopher Matthews and, especially in the hero role, Dennis Waterman, later to be so successful on TV and Minder and New Tricks.

There are some sex scenes, 1970s style daring, a runaway carriage, birthday party, the young couple searching for the disappearing rake of a brother, his climbing down the castle wall, the beaten servant of Dracula and harsh treatment, with the priest, rather more significant than in other at Hammer films, his willing self-sacrifice and the brutality of his death (IMDb noting that this was modified by the British censor at the time).

No particular reason to see this one except for completion of seeing all the films with Christopher Lee as Dracula.

FIVE GOLDEN DRAGONS

UK/Hong Kong, 1967, 93 minutes, Colour.

Bob Cummings, Margaret Lee, Rupert Davies, Klaus Kinski, Maria Rohm, Sieghardt Rupp, Roy Chiao, Brian Donlevy, Dan Duryea Christopher Lee, George Raft, Maria Pershing, Yukari Ito.

Directed by Jeremy Summers.

A routine action show of the 1960s, loosely based on a story by Edgar Wallace. It was the kind of popular entertainment of the period, very television-oriented, ageing stars, stars of popular series, international flavour, and attractive Hong Kong photography and settings.

Hong Kong was under British rule at the time and Rupert Davies appears as the Commissioner. There is also a mysterious financial group, the Golden dragons who meet wearing elaborate masks and then revealed as veterans from the 1930s and 40s, Brian Donleavy, Dan Duryea, George Raft – and joined by Christopher Lee.

There are further complications with criminals wanting to take possession of the money of the Golden dragons. This leads us to a variety of nightclubs, some singing performances, some double-dealing, secret rooms… And there are some of the local police investigating. And, in the middle, is popular star of earlier years, Robert Cummings, now Bob Cummings, boost of his TV show, walking through this film as if it was a light comedy, chewing gum, a very strange choice for the film.

British actress Margaret Lee, appears as one of the chief villains.

Just a reminder of what popular action shows were being made in the 1960s, the shift to television, basic plots, straightforward filming and editing, probably fairly basic in those times, and even more so now!

THE OF LIFE AND DEATHS OF CHRISTOPHER LEE

UK, 2024, 90 minutes, Colour.

Directed by Jon Spira.

Christopher Lee was always an imposing presence on screen whether in supporting roles or in leading roles, making his dramatic presence felt in Hammer Studios productions, Dracula in 1958, although, it is noted, appearing for only eight minutes in the film).

This is an opportunity for the public but, especially, for film buffs and enthusiasts to learn something of the life of Christopher Lee – and, as mentioned frequently, the range of deaths he suffered on screen.

The writer and director of the film is Jon Spira, who made a number of film documentaries including Hollywood Bulldogs, The Rise and Fall of the Great British Stuntmen as well as a look at Elstree 76.

The film uses the device of having an actor, Peter Serafinowicz, voice Christopher Lee telling his own story. And, visually, the striking device of having a puppet, marionette, on strings, looking like Christopher Lee and narrating the story.

There is ample background on Lee’s lineage, from the Middle Ages, Italian aristocracy, marrying into British military backgrounds, his education, possibilities, art, acting, difficulties with his being too tall, looking to Italianate, small parts in the emerging British industry of the 1940s and 1950s. And all this is told with sardonic remarks, Lee’s own perspective.

The film traces his career, the small parts, illustrated with quite a number of clips, the history of Hammer Studios, Dracula, the reputation with Dracula films, his strong friendship with Peter Cushing through many films, again genial clips, especially at the end of Peter Cushing’s life when the two were filming dialogue for a documentary, a fine tribute to Peter Cushing.

There are quite a number of directors who were friendly with Christopher Lee and happy to give testimony, especially a laughing an exuberant John Landis, Joe Dante, significant interview material from Christopher Lee’s niece, the actress Harriet Walter and one of his sons-in-law, with friends, who later produced the records, Charlemagne and the rock music and songs by Lee himself.

There is a background of his marriage, not to the fore, but then the various stages of his career – especially his time in Spain with a range of horror films, then his years in the United States, quite a surprise to watch the clips and the range of films that he appeared in, then the 1990s, return to England, once again a number of roles but building up to his presence, and interview material with Peter Jackson, and his appearance in The Lord of the Rings.

Some of the commentators indicate that Lee, despite his strong height and appearance, was often hesitant, lacking in confidence. But, he enjoyed being in the limelight and audience response. And, he was finally knighted given lifetime awards, dying the age of 92.

The documentary moves along rapidly, gives the audience a good overview of the life of Christopher Lee, the backup of the interviews, and the satisfaction of seeing such a wide number of clips of his films – and the memories of his being Dracula and his final disdain of an interviewer referring to him as the King of horror.