Les Cicatrices de Dracula

Last classic in the Hammer's Dracula series, because it was the last film set in the right Victorian/Gothic milieu: 19th century fairytale Transylvania of castles, peasants, pretty girls and adorable rubber bats. No cheap Sax Rohmer pastiches or boring martial arts films! Scars is sometimes criticized for it's violence - I felt it very odd, that Kim Newman, who never abhorred gore or fought for cleaner films, was so negative for this film's (unnecessary, but sporadic and unrealistic) violence and "immorality" (?)! Come on, in the world of the sick crap like horror and exploitation , Hammer's richly romantic fruitcakes are breath of fresh air! James Bernard's score is lovely, perfect icing of the cake.

MORD39 RATING: *** out of **** In my opinion, SCARS OF DRACULA is the most satisfying entry of all the Hammer Dracula's, even squeaking past the revered HORROR OF DRACULA. People like to pick on the reduced budget, but I have never felt that the sets look too bad when all is said and done. The only thing that "Count's" is that Dracula is given more screen time than usual and is thoroughly evil and sadistic. Sure, it's not an original idea having another man stranded at Dracula's castle, but it works well. A point that not many bring out is that there are also elements of Bram Stoker's novel which are utilized in the film, and for that alone I give it a slight nudge over HORROR OF DRACULA. I think that this film might appear more to those who are not familiar with Hammer's other Dracula films, as they won't have any prejudices. This is a good, solid Dracula film.