Christopher Lee Forums - View Single Post

**John Farrell** · 10th November 2001, 02:10 PM

Hi Fred,
I know what you're saying. Ironically, it seems the worse the Dracula movie, the more onscreen time Mr. Lee has. Take Scars of Dracula, where Mr. Lee probably has the most screen time as Dracula and actually does some cool things from the book--but the film itself it pretty bad.

The thing about Taste is that it really tried to break out of the mold. Mr. Lee's Dracula is less a vampire in that movie--and more an avenger--in a dark way almost "the good guy."

Reason I think the movie--as a movie judged on grounds apart from fans of Hammer or Mr. Lee--is one of the better is it has one of the best production designs, the largest cast--great scenes with tons of extras--they actually show a poor house in London with tons of paupers as the villains make their way to the brother. You could have written that scene out--but it dramatized the world outside of the story in a way that the other films never do.

Notice in the other films--like AD 72--the entire film is confined to the church and the hang outs of the kids--and Van Helsing's house. Never more than three or four people in a scene together. It comes across as low-budget.

I know what you're saying as far as Dracula is concerned, but those are just my thoughts on why a lot of critics give Taste the number 2 spot after the original.

10th November 2001, 02:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
John Farrell Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 222 Rep Power: 0	Hi Fred, I know what you're saying. Ironically, it seems the worse the Dracula movie, the more onscreen time Mr. Lee has. Take Scars of Dracula, where Mr. Lee probably has the most screen time as Dracula and actually does some cool things from the book--but the film itself it pretty bad. The thing about Taste is that it really tried to break out of the mold. Mr. Lee's Dracula is less a vampire in that movie--and more an avenger--in a dark way almost "the good guy." Reason I think the movie--as a movie judged on grounds apart from fans of Hammer or Mr. Lee--is one of the better is it has one of the best production designs, the largest cast--great scenes with tons of extras--they actually show a poor house in London with tons of paupers as the villains make their way to the brother. You could have written that scene out--but it dramatized the world outside of the story in a way that the other films never do. Notice in the other films--like AD 72--the entire film is confined to the church and the hang outs of the kids--and Van Helsing's house. Never more than three or four people in a scene together. It comes across as low-budget. I know what you're saying as far as Dracula is concerned, but those are just my thoughts on why a lot of critics give Taste the number 2 spot after the original.