Dracula 1958

Vampires are very much in vogue at the moment, particularly with younger readers and film-goers, but the hordes of Twilight fans could do themselves a favour and discover British studio, Hammer's back list of classic horror films.

In the US the film is known by the title, The Horror of Dracula and was directed by the late great Terence Fisher. The title role was played by Christopher Lee and the actor did what was thought impossible - he improved on Bela Lugosi's version of the bloodsucker. Lee is superb in every scene - he doesn't so much walk as glide and his stature makes him look magnificent when brooding about the gothic sets.

Upon original release it had fans lining up around the block to see this new kind of visceral horror movie - the scene where Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) drives a stake with ghoulish zeal into the heart of the undead Lucy is as effective as ever. And Dracula's eventual demise is thrilling.

What is remarkable is how good the film looks today - and not a pixel of CGI anywhere to be seen. The gothic sets are excellent. And the performances, theatrical in style, are brilliant. The film is available as a great DVD print, though devoid of extra features. Well worth seeing - this is the best movie version of Bram Stoker;'s Dracula and Christopher Lee is the best celluloid Dracula there has ever been. Indeed is ever likely to be.