Dracula: Prince of Darkness

After a reign of hideous terror spanning more than a century

the king of the "undead" was finally traced to his lair

high in the Carpathian Mountains

Through the decades, many had sought to destroy him. All had failed.

Here, at last, was an adversary armed with

sufficient knowledge of the ways of the vampire

to bring about the final and absolute destruction.

This then was his fate.

Thousands had been enslaved by the obscene cult of vampirism.

Now, the fountainhead himself perished.

Only the memory remained of the most evil

and terrible creature who ever set his seal on civilization.

There, there, Frau Koenig. Calm yourself.

Stay with me.

Frau Koenig. You know this is for the best!

The risk is too great to allow for any other way.

You do understand.

You must understand.

- Frau Koenig - tell me you agree. - Hurry, Father. It'll be dark soon.

Please, Frau Koenig!

So be it. Then it must be done without your consent!

No, you mustn't do it! You can't! She's my daughter! My baby! No!

Barbarians!

This is none of your concern!

Would I ride 50 km in this filthy weather if it were none of my concern?!

You shame the cloth you wear.

- We can't take any chances! - Chances? What chances?!

This child died. You understand that "Man of God"?

She died. Nothing more!

- You can't be sure. - Of course I'm sure!

Take her to the churchyard. She will be buried properly.

- I will read no service over her. - I will bury her.

Now, do as I say.

Do as I say!

You're out of your jurisdiction. I'll complain to the bishop.

You?! And tell him that I stopped you

from performing an act of blasphemy?! Or would you prefer that I told him?

Well... we have to be sure.

You are an idiot, Father.

Worse than that - you are a superstitious, frightened idiot!

Take care I don't have cause to ride this way again.

That's right - take it steady!

No time for a breather, though!

Very good.

- That's as much as I can manage. - Very good, sir!

- Drinks all 'round again. - Thank you, sir.

- He just bought drinks for everyone. - I know.

- Charles is far too extravagant. - A few shillings - we can afford it.

But that's not the point.

You've got your disapproving expression on again, Helen. What is it this time?

Well, I know it's none of my business,

but that was the 3rd time you supplied everybody with drinks.

I know!

They don't appreciate it - they just think you're a fool.

Helen, what I do I do for my own satisfaction.

What about you, Alan - do you disapprove of your younger brother's generosity?

- I gave up approving of what you do. - There's a sensible fellow.

You see Helen, Alan knows that I'm incorrigible.

He accepts the fact. Why don't you?

Foolishness is foolishness.

And now, as we all have to get up early, I suggest we go to bed.

I think that's a very good idea.

- What can I fetch you, Father? - Mull me some claret.

It's not fit for a beast out there tonight.

Well, what are you all looking at?

Garlic - to keep out the Boogy man.

There is no Boogy man, and if there was this wouldn't keep him out.

Can't you get it into your thick skulls it's been over these past 10 years?

- May I warm myself by your fire? - Of course.

- Charles, let him sit by the fire. - I prefer to stand, thank you.

It's easier to warm one's self this way.

Ah! That's better.

Fortunately, my calling still allows me the luxury of a warm posterior.

One of the few pleaures left in life.

You strike me as a man who takes his pleasures seriously, Father.

I do, my son - indeed I do.

Pleasure in this life is important. What are the alternatives?

Hellfire and brimstone.

No, I'm sure the warming of one's backside before an open fire

and mulled claret aren't part of the Grand Design.

No, these are earthly pleasures we enjoy while one is able.

And what, may I ask, are four charming English people doing in the Carpathians?

My name is Charles Kent. This is my wife Diana,

my brother Alan and his wife Helen.

Father Sandor, Abbott of Kleinberg at your service.

Please, be seated.

Father...

Kleinburg must be a dangerous journey for you to go armed like this.

Another of my earthly vices.

Each time I leave the monastery, I bring this with me.

The bretheren think it's a bundle of prayer books for the heathen.

I'm sure they truly believe

that the venison I bring home drops dead by the divine Will of God.

- You too are hunting? - No, no. Some climbing, some sightseeing.

- Travel broadens the mind. - Admirable.

But I question your choice of locale. You won't have your mind broadened by this lot.

You don't seem to have a very high opinion of your flock.

Not mine - dear me, no.

I wouldn't tolerate them.

I wouldn't tolerate them!

You will find things very different in Kleinberg

I hope you will visit us there. You can stay at the monastery.

- The brothers will make you very welcome. - Thank you Father - that's a fine idea.

Our programme won't allow for it. Tomorrow, we go to Carlsbad.

Well, I suppose we could change our plans.

I suggest that you do so.

It's very kind of you to invite us, but...

...as my wife points out, we do have our programme to stick to.

I don't care whether you go to Kleinberg or not, I'm just saying you shouldn't go to Carlsbad.

- I've heard it's very beautiful. - So is a drop of belladonna.

Deadly nightshade.

- We're all experienced climbers, Father. - Climbing's got nothing to do with it.

You may think me an eccentric old cleric and not much credit to my cloth.

Perhaps I enjoy shocking people's susceptibilities,

but I can be serious.

and when I tell you not to go to Carlsbad, I want you to take note.

- Landlord? - Yes, Father?

Have my horse brought 'round.

Well, I'm delighted to have met you all.

And if you disregard my advice, at least stay well clear of the castle.

Castle? But there's no castle marked on the map.

Because it is not on the map doesn't mean it does not exist.

Stay away from it.

Ladies.

- Very strange. - The Father made a mistake.

If there was a castle, it would be marked.

Well, right or wrong - we'll find out tomorrow.

I don't care how much money you give me. I ain't going to go no further.

Don't be ridiculous. You contracted to drive us to Carlsbad.

You can walk. It's bare 2 kilometers.

- Walk?! You must be mad! - You're the ones that are mad.

- Come on, man - it'll be dark soon. - Aye, it will. That's why I'll go no further.

It's not our fault that you slipped a wheel and we're 4 hours late.

I'm not saying it is. I'm just saying I'll go no further.

Look. Up there. The castle.

- What's that place? - What place?

- The castle. - I don't see no castle.

That's because you're not looking, idiot!

Alright - you've had enough argument. Get the women out!

Now! Get 'em out!

You'd better do as he says.

Leave it, Charles. He's a highway robber. He just wants our luggage.

I'll be back here 2 hours after dawn tomorrow.

If any of you are here then, I'll take you on to Carlsbad.

Hyah!

He wasn't a robber. We should be grateful for small mercies.

- Why did he say he'd be back after dawn? - He's frightened of the dark.

- You don't mean that. - Of course not.

- He should be reported to the authorities. - We're not in England now, Helen.

I doubt that there are any authorities to report him to.

And it wouldn't help us if there were, would it?

Why wouldn't he look at that place?

Well, Sandor was right in any event.

But why does everyone else deny the existance of the place? Even the map?

- Maybe we could stay there. - No - let's stay away from there.

I agree with you.

Well - there's the alternative.

I prefer that.

So would I.

Very well - let's take a look.

There's no driver!

- Can we stop it? - We can try.

- Charles, be careful! - Watch it, Charles!

Well - you're the most welcome horses I've ever seen. Both of you.

This is a bit strange, isn't it?

Haven't you heard? Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

Especially when there are two with a coach.

- Alan's right. The whole thing is strange. - I agree.

Well, all I can see is, we won't have to spend the night in that hut.

All aboard?

- Alright. - Let's see to the luggage.

Helen, hold the horses, will you?

Diana, you hold them.

Alright, Darling.

- Carlsbad? - Carlsbad.

Gitup!

Whoa! Whoa! Come 'round!

They're taking the wrong road!

Come back! Whoa! Whoa!

- What's wrong?! - They're going the wrong way!

I can't turn them!

Come back! Whoa!

Come back! Whoa! Whoa!

Alright, my beauties, you're calling the tune!

He can't control them!

Well!

Let's see if your master is as hospitable as you are.

What do you think?

I don't think they're horses at all, but St Bernards in disguise

rescuing travelers who are stranded at the crossroads.

We made enough noise arriving - you'd think somebody would come out

if not to welcome us, to chase us away.

Well, it's no good standing here debating the situation.

Let's pay our respects.

Ladies?

No, Charles.

Surely, it can't be as bad as spending the night in that hut.

It's eerie.

Well, let's find out just how eerie.

It's open.