Dracula

Hammer Horror's 'Dracula' was released in 1958 to a mixture of shock, outrage and praise.

Yet this version of the Dracula tale, directed by Terence Fisher, proved to be a milestone both for British cinema and for the horror genre.

It made an international star of Christopher Lee, and its success at the box-office confirmed Hammer Films as one of the world's leading purveyors of cinematic terror. Peter Hutchings reveals how Hammer's newly eroticised version of Dracula differs from its previous incarnations, including Bram Stoker's original story and Hollywood's 1931 film version starring Bela Lugosi. He explores the film's symbolism and narrative structure, as well as its potent sexuality and controversial take on gender. Essential reading for both students of film and fans of the horror genre, this lively guide reveals the legacy which Hammer's 'Dracula' has left to British and world cinema.