By Joseph "Skull Vault" Walter
The movie is exceptionally fast-paced, taking liberties with the source material. It opens with Jonathan Harker fully aware that Count Dracula is a nefarious vampire, and preparing to kill him, which is a major departure from the book's set-up.
Dracula, of course, defeats him and then it's up to Van Helsing to save the day.
The acting, for the most part is top notch. Peter Cushing gives an awesome, bad-ass performance as Van Helsing. You take every word he speaks to heart, and his air of authority makes him a thrill to listen to.
Christopher Lee, on the other hand, gives a bizarre performance that eschews the Count's famous Bela Lugosi portrayal, and even the calculating persona of Dracula in his namesake book. Instead, Lee opts for an impatient and curt Count, whose real charm comes from his myriad facial expressions that range form shit-eating grins, manic insanity, and even tears.
This is a quality film with excellent set design, cool characters, exciting action, and very fast pacing.
While lacking a general sense of terror, it's still a supernatural thrill.