Back to Black: The Making of Dracula Prince of Darkness (2012)

Back to Black: The Making of Dracula Prince of Darkness Poster

Documentary that chronicles the making of the third film in Hammer's Dracula series.

Introduction
"Back to Black: The Making of Dracula Prince of Darkness" from 2012 is a short documentary about the production of the traditional 1966 scary film "Dracula: Prince of Darkness". Its duration is just over 30 minutes, supplying a remarkable behind the scenes look into the production.

Summary and Insights
The effective combination of director Terence Fisher, author Anthony Hinds and manufacturer Anthony Nelson Keys created the environment for the iconic follow up as the documentary lays out. However, it's not almost the final feature, however rather, a significant portion of the documentary includes anecdotes and experiences of those who were part of the recording procedure.

Cast
The documentary includes interviews with the primary actors from the 1966 movie-- Barbara Shelley and Francis Matthews-- who share their experiences of dealing with the movie. They talk about the challenges and benefits associated with creating their characters, offering an individual touch to the remarkable story.

Go Behind the Scenes
The documentary looks into the specifics of production, consisting of the development of the renowned castle set and the procedures behind shooting crucial scenes. The technical elements such as the lighting, sound, and makeup styles, in addition to the problems come across throughout production are also discussed. There's also a discussion about the introduction of the lead bad guy, Count Dracula, who does not appear till midway through the movie, but his presence is strongly felt throughout.

The Impact of Christopher Lee
Another point of conversation is Christopher Lee's contribution to the movie. As "Dracula: Prince of Darkness" was the first sequel to the Hammer Dracula series after the effective "Horror of Dracula", Lee's function was essential in the extension of the series. In spite of having no lines in this sequel, his actions and body movement are said to have actually made an enduring impression.

The Influence of Censorship
"Back to Black" also highlights the impacts of censorship on "Dracula: Prince of Darkness". The 1966 movie faced problems with the censor board of the time for its graphic violence and sexual undertones. The documentary includes intriguing discussions on how the group browsed these concerns.

The Legacy of the Film
Finally, the documentary offers insights into the influence and legacy of the motion picture. In spite of being low-budget and dealing with various difficulties, the motion picture became a cult classic. It checks out how the movie's unique climatic scary ended up being a staple for the Hammer Films scene, and the value of the movie in specifying the vampire category.

Conclusion
In conclusion, "Back to Black: The Making of Dracula Prince of Darkness" is a must-watch for any horror movie lover or aficionado of timeless movie theater. This succinct documentary supplies a deep dive into the making of a prominent sequel in the Hammer Films collection that is both informative and entertaining. The interviews with original cast members and the backstage peek into the production design not just include colour to the viewer's understanding of the movie but likewise emphasise the hard work and devotion that went into its production.

Top Cast

  • Barbara Shelley (small)
    Barbara Shelley
    Self - Original Cast Member / Helen Kent
  • Marcus Hearn (small)
    Marcus Hearn
    Self - Hammer Films Historian
  • Mark Gatiss (small)
    Mark Gatiss
    Self - Actor and Writer
  • Jonathan Rigby (small)
    Jonathan Rigby
    Self - Author
  • Francis Matthews (small)
    Francis Matthews
    Self - Original Cast Member / Charles Kent
  • David Huckvale
    Self - Author
  • Jon Mann
    Self - Technical Restoration Manager: Pinewood Studios
  • Christopher Lee (small)
    Christopher Lee
    Dracula (archive footage)
  • Suzan Farmer (small)
    Suzan Farmer
    Diana Kent (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Andrew Keir (small)
    Andrew Keir
    Father Sandor (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Philip Latham (small)
    Philip Latham
    Klove (archive footage) (uncredited)