'Dracula' - Death Scene with Christopher Lee & Peter Cushing

The 1958 Technicolor remake of "Dracula" launched a series of Hammer horror movies, usually starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, which were a world-wide success. An unsung hero of many of those films was James Bernard, composer of their soundtrack music. He wrote the scores for such movies as "The Quatermass Experiment", "X - The Unknown","The Curse of Frankenstein", "The Gorgon" etc., and not only "Dracula" but its several sequels. The final scene of "Dracula" shows just how James Bernard enhanced the visual decay of the eponymous Count with music as scary as anything written for Hitchcock by Bernard Herrmann! Also in this clip are Melissa Stribling, as one of Dracula's victims, and Michael Gough who plays her husband.

[@kaljathpanthermage3711]

Count Dooku vs Grand Moff Tarkin. Rest in peace to both men.

[@Jamesamong007]

Kevin Beswick Prequels vs Original

[@kaljathpanthermage3711]

James007HungerZone not fair. I love both.

[@Jamesamong007]

Joker the Master Get a life nerd. NEERRRRDD!!!!!!!

[@philipmonihan8222]

Kevin Beswick Christopher Lee was, no doubt, one of the redeeming qualities of the Prequels. But why in the name of all that is good and holy did they let Hayden Christensen kill him?

[@zikazekic37]

+John Krameryy

[@randallrona9618]

Fun Fact: Christopher Lee originally play for Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars but he rejected it which the role gave to Peter Cushing. He later regretted it and he got redeemed when he played Count Dooku in the Prequels years later. Funny that both actors are real-life best friends. RIP Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. ♥️

[@RealGateGuardian]

I prefer that way. Id never would have seen Peter Cushing otherwise.

[@FullFatVideos]

My powers have doubled since the last time we met, Count!

[@ashjose7973]

Twice the pride, double the fall

[@bulletkin2395]

Ah yes, the negotiator

[@leeeminoo]

@@bulletkin2395 General Kenobi, we’ve been waiting for you.

[@zakeerizakeer3241]

@@ashjose7973 0

[@ashjose7973]

@@zakeerizakeer3241 wait what

[@gavinpuli3882]

You want to talk about legends, Sir Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing. Can't get better than these two boys. Gone too soon, especially Peter.

[@jonboz7585]

I totally agree. Both were superb.

[@Alex-24610]

I love how Dracula was just running away until he was like, “wait, I’m Dracula” and just started fighting.

[@pangeo1259]

😠😊

[@hasangenc2922]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@LPMAN02]

RIP Peter Cushing (May 26, 1913 - August 11, 1994), aged 81 RIP Michael Gough (November 23, 1916 - March 17, 2011), aged 94 RIP Sir Christopher Lee (May 27, 1922 - June 7, 2015), aged 93 RIP Melissa Stribling (November 7, 1926 - March 22, 1992), aged 65 You will be remembered as legends.

[@christinehagen5454]

[@user-yq3oq4il7v]

No one who watches this film for the first time today can understand the wallop it packed when it came out in 1957. There was nothing like it ever see on the screen before, and this scared the daylights out of audiences. REALLY! My brother and I saw it back then and can attest to how powerful and frightening this film was for everybody - teenagers as well as adults. No one expected this kind of film, so well done, in Color too!

[@shihanUKS]

I attended a festival screening of this film years ago with Christopher Lee there for a Q and A afterwards. A stately gentleman seated in a plaid fireside smoking chair onstage, he was greeted and applauded like a sports legend. He sat graciously puffing his pipe for the next three minutes waiting for the applause to end. He discussed his beginnings in the business, what a fan he was of Peter Cushing and how Cushing fought to get him the Dracula role. He was Boris Karloff's neighbor! Lastly, an audience member swore he saw a tear streak Dracula's left cheek as Van Helsing forced him back into the sun's rays and asked about it. Lee agreed it was. Dracula crying? Lee attested Dracula was a soul in constant pain not from vampirism but from condemnation to commit compulsive acts that saddened and repulsed him. He finds redemptive qualities in any character he plays. If he didn't, how did Dracula's decaying demise leave some audience members sobbing ( I heard them sniffling too). The effects were state of the art in 1958 and Lee was the first Dracula who showed fangs, blood , and reddened eyes onscreen. He said he couldn't see a thing wearing those red contacts. Landmark shock in those days.

[@MattST69]

When I was a boy in the 1980s and getting obsessed with Hammer horrors through late-night TV screenings here in UK, my late Mum told me she went to see this film in 1958 (she was aged early 20s at the time) and when Dracula was destroyed at the end, she cried. His demise in this film still carries a powerful charge of horror and tragedy. Lots of ladies in late 1950s fell in love with Christopher Lee's incarnation of Dracula, he stirred lots of forbidden sexy feelings in the buttoned-up 1950s! ❤

[@ktong3956]

No other Dracula compares to Christopher Lee..R.I.P

[@jackhamilton9604]

Expect bela Lugosi

[@jondoes8222]

Lugosi had no fangs in the film nor red eyes. When he was biting, he looked toothless.

[@jondoes8222]

@Groovy J nah Lee is King.....

[@warsthemarvel8608]

Except Leslie Nilsen

[@terryweir8352]

The best ever Dracula films ever in my opinion, loved Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, when it comes to Van Helsing and Dracula nobody can touch these two actors, period!! 😀 😀 RIP Sir Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing 🙏🙏

[@earth7551]

Exactly no contest

[@altdoom]

Christopher Lee & Peter Cushing are legends.

[@axevader280]

Such an incredible duo, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee

[@AdrianFahrenheitTepes]

Even more fortunate was Christopher Lee to be in Lord of the Rings after this.

[@cortadew]

that moment when Moff Tarkin is chasing count dooku

[@S.M.Jean-Mahmoud_Ier]

Cor Tadew that moment when Count Dooku actually had no lightsaber to face Moff Tarkin...

[@cortadew]

John Mahmud I am bumping this thread for a few moments of silence due to the passing of Sir Christopher Lee.

[@Ninroo]

Cor Tadew that moment when the doctor fights count dooku

[@Thoralmir]

Cor Tadew Shame they never encountered one another in the Clone Wars TV show. What a wasted opportunity.

[@carolineturing4240]

Alex Barnes lol

[@billjannusch]

The Hammer Christopher Lee Dracula movies were absolutely outstanding. No one has ever done Dracula better in my opinion..These films were the best gothic horror ever made..

[@jonboz7585]

Absolutely, I agree. The production values of these horror films were superb, even though they had a very modest budget.

[@KGBBooks]

When I was a kid, I only ever knew Peter Cushing as Tarkin. It’s a trip to see him play a hero.

[@victorm152]

he even played Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who

[@mikebowermaster4250]

He mostly was a good guy. He was also a villain in Madhouse.

[@cameronr243]

He was a villian in Frankenstein

[@johnchurch4705]

And a villain in Return of the Cybermen , The Avengers 1967 colour season.

[@johnchurch4705]

Also a hero in the first New Avengers episode: The Eagles 🦅 Nest.

[@iestyndavies7287]

One of my all time favourite scenes. Cushing and Lee were the masters of gothic horror, they’ve never been surpassed!

[@animatedink2529]

And that kids was how Grand Moff Tarkin blasted Count Dooku to dust with a prototype version of the Death Star Laser R.I.P Sir Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Friends reunited at last

[@moviemastervevo1848]

Christopher Lee can never die he is count Dracula! I wonder if they burried him in it? I would want that if I was him.

[@conradojavier]

I guess Anakin is a Human Stake.

[@victorm152]

Cris P. Bacon fun fact: Christopher Lee, before he magnificently played Count Dooku was almost cast as Tarkin before Peter Cushing got the role

[@victorm152]

Joseph Higgins animationgamer3466o I heard Bela Lugosi may have been buried with HIS Dracula cape

[@ericking8719]

RIP Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing

[@user-hu5jp6db8v]

Sim grandes atores 😢

[@pikppa]

RIP to two of the greatest actors who ever lived...

[@jonathanmcvay4499]

It’s so funny reading the comments and seeing how the young look at these two as Star Wars actors playing Dracula and Van Helsing. I saw each Star Wars movie when it first came out and MY thought was “oh look there’s Van Helsing!” and later it was “well there’s Dracula”. I am now 62; I was a big fan of all the Hammer movies starting when I was about 7 and saw Star Wars when I was 15.

[@margielopez2647]

SAME!!!

[@healfrac]

Sworn enemies onscreen but dear friends in real life. You are both missed. Peter Cushing and Sir Christopher Lee.

[@JayPabalat]

what a delight to see tarkin and dooku together

[@Rodrigoteacher]

Don't forget about Michael Gough: Alfred in the Batman´s 90's movies.

[@connorbrennan4233]

Probably the best ending to any Dracula movie.

[@ricardovalentino3549]

No actor in the history of this horror genre ever,ever, played Dracula better than Christopher Lee, bar none, most terrifying. 🥶

[@JohnDoe-yi4xd]

A bit over the top compared to the great Belalagosi.

[@sonofshoenice8010]

@@JohnDoe-yi4xd Jesus…it’s a Dracula film! And Bela is on par with the likes of Christopher Lee and Gary Oldman in regards to this so called over the top style of acting.

[@earth7551]

@@sonofshoenice8010 Christopher Lee is the winner

[@LocurasPreepers]

My deepest, heartfelt sympathy to this great artist, Maestro Dracula always remember his films

[@Tinafromeire]

Drák Preepers HAMMER lol

[@ericfaragher3359]

The best ending to any Dracula ever. That athletic run along the table to dive into the curtains exemplifies the active striking down of the power of evil by intelligence through instant action.

[@marypagones6073]

The expression on Peter Cushing's face. God, what a brilliant, complex mixture of horror, pity, and relief. Yes, it's Hammer, yes it's campy, but the acting is head and hands above what you'll see in many straight-up dramas today. I love the fact that Cushing doesn't celebrate, he just seems profoundly sad at the existence of evil in the world. And all of this after a pulse-pounding, intensely cinematic fight scene.

[@MegaCrocosaurus92]

Dude Cushing does not mess around in an action scene! I get so amped up when he takes off for the curtains!

[@maarekstele2998]

Same here that was epic

[@michaeltruthson6262]

Count Dooku vs Grand Moff Tarkin. The fashion was very attractive I love the coats and suits Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee wore.

[@crazysteve2362]

Peter Cushing is the greatest Van Helsing ever no one can top his performance

[@GenericAnomaly798]

On leave from the Death Star. Grand Moff Tarkin has a vacation on the planet known as Earth and soon finds out that the Sith Lord known as Count Dooku who was presumably killed by Anakin Skywalker is still alive and is now an immortal being known as a Vampire plotting to overthrow the Emporer. Realizing the danger Tarkin teams up with a butler named Alfred Pennyworth and together they go out to destroy Count Dooku once and for all.

[@totallyeighties1941]

Thank you for acknowledging Michael Gough!

[@Minillus]

This sounds like the average story in Jojo's

[@koltp1909]

91% talk about the movie 9% Star Wars vibes

[@cubehire3653]

I just read Peter Cushing actually did the leap to the curtains himself to expose Christopher Lee’s Dracula to the sunlight! I was always glad to see Peter Cushing in movies. He was perfect to play Lord Tarkin in Star Wars. Taking movie evil to the next level by ordering the destruction of a planet with its entire population in an explosion!

[@acrazysheepdog1555]

It’s funny that Tarkin and Dooku actually met in universe at one point, this scene must’ve had some kind of influence in that book. It’s named “Tarkin” by the way.

[@user-jb3eb8hu3f]

Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing were beautiful actors. I love their horror of dracula. Thay added charm.

[@Tomboyy9818]

They*

[@zacharybyrum166]

Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee is like a humanized version of Tom & Jerry, they've been in so many horror movies together as both the hero and the villain. If they ever got their own box set, it would've been labeled, *Man Vs. Boogeyman: The Many Battles of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee!*

[@softwater88]

When I saw this ending of the movie: I thought it was the coolest ending of any vampire movie!!

[@LegoStarwarsFanWithDaGiantGun]

R.I.P Christopher lee (dooku) and Peter Cushing (tarkin)

[@tguns1]

I just knew there would be a Star Wars comment in here lol. But I do concur. May they rest in peace.

[@twofacetoo75]

I really love the music in this scene, it's like a racing heart-beat spliced with 'flight of the bumble-bee', but it just works for how intense the scene is. The music alone never fails to get my heart racing

[@frostboy1263]

Holy frick this is 1958? This looks amazing

[@virgilrobertsjr7870]

That was the greatest final scene in Dracula cinematic history! ESPECIALLY SEEING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME! ☆☆☆☆☆ 😎

[@CoffeeSuccubus]

2:30 "Good Tarkin, good... kill him... kill him now..." Tarkin: I shouldn't... Palpatine: Do it.

[@TeamLNE]

The noise of his shoes running on the table and jump is glorious 😂 I absolutely love this classic!!

[@Amp661]

Destroyed Alderaan and now destroyed a centuries old vampire. Tarkin is a killing machine!

[@tylerjones7592]

And that vampire happened to be a former Jedi master turned Sith Lord

[@stanley3493]

Masterpiece... Best dracula and van helsing ever!

[@lamarbrown3531]

Van helsing

[@linwoodgray6127]

@@lamarbrown3531 van helsing is what cushing plays

[@YoRon427]

Wow Peter Cushing was really young here

[@ai6894]

Happy birthday, Peter Cushing (May 27th, 2021 full moon) [1913 - 1994]

[@moranplano]

My sister was 12 when she saw the B&W version of this film in a neighborhood theatre. She couldn't quit screaming...had nightmares and wouldn't see another Christopher Lee movie for many years. No matter what his character was in a new film...he was ALWAYS Dracula. (she secretly feared that he would spot her in the audience, and follow her home, and when night fell, he would attack. I'm not kidding.)

[@prodf]

this is the first time in my life i see young Peter Cushing.

[@jonathanmcvay4499]

Ah, the old school scary movies. Brings back great memories.

[@iqrawarattil4875]

It is my notion that, no Horror Movie is complete without these two magnificent actors, Sir Peter Cushing and Sir Christopher Lee...they had something about them that made these Hammer Horror movies so likeable!!

[@2011littlejohn1]

They were also very good friends all their lives from those movies onwards.

[@foadiron]

That's why you don't mess about with Peter Cushing. He beat Dracula, the werewolf, the mummy and the Devil himself.

[@pangeo1259]

😊👌

[@leelishman7137]

The dramaticl musical score and dark gothic atmosphere really make this film stand out, it hangs heavily over the film,a real classic that future DRACULA films have tried(and failed!) to live up too.

[@Tony-1971]

I definitely choose this over Francis Ford Copola's version.

[@carlitoroman2034]

I’m 47 years old & to this day Christopher Lee’s Dracula still scares the shit out of me! In all reality, Lee & Peter Cushing were forces of nature as their respected characters & Hammer continues to be for me at least, the gold standard, absolutely love this movie.

[@samwiserando]

Lee is so fluid when he is running or moving.

[@countdracula5037]

Anakin lol

[@peterfranks6243]

They paid tribute to the table and jump scene in the new BBC mini series Dracula

[@walterwhite5578]

IKR, that what I thought when I saw the scene in the BBC mini-series.

[@matthewreese8064]

R.I.P. Mr. Lee.

[@Seannie686]

Matthew Reese Vampires never Die lol

[@pikppa]

And RIP Mr Cushing too..

[@AutisticJoker88]

Dear god, please give us back Christopher Lee one last time and we'll give you that Edward Twilight dude to smite as you please! Amen!

[@afroozsweet1588]

SyzygyNerd 1988 shat up and mind you're language

[@elliottknifton8902]

I heard Robert Pattinson is actually a decent guy in real life and he's aware of how awful Twilight is and has made fun of if.

[@emily7103]

Pete tore down those drapes like a BOSS.

[@achimw.8283]

Before 20 years,i had the Luck for meet him personaly here in Luxembourg,i meet him because Christopher Lee was in our Park in Luxembourg with the Border of Germany,luxembourgish Side.I had give him my Hand for meet him and i had see a very fine Gentleman,very friendly ! Best Wishes from Luxembourg ! 🙂

[@LPMAN02]

RIP and long live Peter Cushing (May 26, 1913 - August 11, 1994), aged 81 And RIP and long live Michael Gough (November 23, 1916 - March 17, 2011), aged 94 And RIP and long live Sir Christopher Lee (May 27, 1922 - June 7, 2015), aged 93 You will always be remembered as legends.

[@comradebackpack.3083]

Tarkin fighting count dooku

[@reginaldturner1669]

Peter Cushing always get choked by Christopher Lee. That’s funny.😂

[@theplebe6342]

This is still the greatest Dracula film ever made. I can't believe it was made in the 50s.

[@planetmayhem2012]

that sprint on the table and pulling down of the drapes was ingenious at that time. superb action blended in a chilling hammer flick. that scene was copied by the nexflix dracula serie btw. didn't have the same punch as this one.

[@jondishmonmusicandstuff2753]

@@planetmayhem2012 Is no one going to praise the Hammer orchestra. Also when Chris falls back it's a bit fake because he throws his leg out there on the mark so the sun can hit it.

[@HorrorMonster4406]

R.I.P. Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

[@michaeltruthson6262]

And Michael Gough aka Alfred the butler in the Batman movies of the 80's and 90's.

[@Unclebarry94]

I imagine this would have been very gruesome for an audience watching in 1958

[@michaelmadgwick6709]

My grandma told me years ago that a friend of hers watched this movie and then slept with the lights on for the next 2 months.

[@ananas9248]

I never got bored with this scene. It's amazing and I'm surprised how good the special effects at that time!

[@ananas9248]

@ayu ayu ??

[@francisstolzer7670]

I know that Bela Lugosi is usually the gold standard for the portrayal of Dracula, but I always found Christopher Lee to be a more physically imposing and plain scarier version.

[@basedbattledroid3507]

Same

[@crazyelf8433]

Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are two of the greatest horror movie villan and hero ever!

[@hattiem.7966]

RIP Sir Christopher.You are with Peter,Vincent,Boris and Bela now.

[@animatedink2529]

Count Dooku/Saruman, Grand Moff Tarkin and Alfred Pennyworth in the same movie together. My what awesome casting.

[@hexmaster23]

Grand Moff Tarkin and Count Dooku before the clone wars

[@veeganboy]

Lee and Cushing were both incredible in this final (not final) showdown between the blood-thirsty Vampire and the swashbuckling Vampire Slayer!

[@reginaldjackson4173]

Christopher Lee gave me nightmares as the Count. Rest in Peace to Sir Christopher and Peter Cushing.

[@chrisevans5259]

Love the grainy atmosphere of these classic horrors.....and the music always adds to the terror and menace as the tension builds , and your fears grow......classic storytelling

[@johnthompson1437]

these movies are still among the best!

[@jm7804]

Christopher Lee was my favorite Dracula. I used to love to watch these movies late on Saturday night when they would run them on Creature Features when I was a kid.

[@michellelloyd4811]

These special effects are even more horrifying than any CGI stuff today. Love old skool horror.

[@DragonQueen78]

Exactly what I was thinking amazing special effects for the time period!

[@linkfan160]

Best version of Dracula as far as I'm concerned.

[@oneinathousand2156]

When I was younger I associated Peter Cushing with his role as Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars so I was used to seeing him be an old dude who stood and sat mostly, so it was really surprising to my young self to see him being so physical in this movie. Like he’s darting all over the place!

[@markchildrey9441]

This is my absolute favorite Dracula film made by Hammer Studios. And I love this restored version of the ending. For years, American prints of this film did not have the part where Dracula rakes his fingers over his face which is coming apart. I'm guessing it was too gory for audiences in those days. That part was also cut from the prints shown on television. I've seen this movie a million times and never saw the restored version until a few years ago. Also, if you notice, Christopher Lee slightly mistimed his cue to fall on the floor when Peter Cushing ran across the table to pull the curtains down. Just before Cushing jumps on the curtains to pull them down, Christopher Lee twisted and fell before he's actually hit by the sunlight. His timing was slightly off. It was noted in editing but they chose not to reshoot the scene. I still watch for it every time I see this movie. But regardless of the slight timing error, it is a fantastic movie. Between the story, acting, cinematography, music score, sets -- it is a masterpiece of telling Hammer's version of the story. I've seen the CD version of one of the Dracula movies by Hammer where Christopher Lee narrates the audio track and tells some behind the scenes stories with others. I think it was "Dracula: Prince of Darkness" and he talked about his stunt double and the takes to get the icy ending just right.

[@gregwoolliscroft6255]

agreed...

[@attackersunset4333]

i noticed that too and i thought of it as he’s trying to duck for cover after he realizes what’s about to happen but he didn’t have enough time. makes it better than knowing it’s a mistake lmao

[@redtexan7053]

This isn’t a tale the Jedi would tell you, but this is how the Clone Wars *actually* ended. The rise of the Empire was purely coincidental.

[@alexsaucedo8032]

The hammer films were the BEST hands down. I LOVE this one ALOT. Peter and chris were the best bar none. Oldie but goodie. Love the old school stuff R I P LEE

[@gailjacquelinemrsgray.2518]

A wonderful performance by Christopher and Peter, they are the best iconic macabre actors in the film history.

[@darthvestius7771]

A true classic film... 2 great actors. This is a film you can sink your teeth into... This is a full blooded film... This film has heart... Both actors had a stake in this film...

[@Reposessor]

xD

[@larrytalbot3824]

This is a film you can COUNT on...

[@andrewyoung2796]

One of the greatest scene s in cinema 📽️🎥

[@Spaceflightlover2010]

Kind of weird when you realize both of them were in Star Wars.

[@movierun]

To this day, probably the best Dracula film ever made. Has to be on most people's top ten list of all-time greatest horror films.

[@luisalexiscanepajimenez6465]

Grand Moff Tarkin vs Count Dooku

[@pauljones5278]

Rip sir Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing this was the best Dracula ever made two legendary actors together

[@magetaaaaaa]

That leap through the air to grab the curtains! Epic finale.

[@fernandomartinheras5025]

Peter Cushing + Christopher Lee + Terence Fisher : MASTERPIECE.

[@mkstg12345]

You know it’s over for Dracula when his hair gets fucked up.

[@Skulldini]

Wouldn't you know it ? .. . the only guy who could tell Darth Vader what to do ( "Release him Vader!!" ) is also the only guy who could kick Dracula's ass!

[@BilBrown]

+Ian Findlay you mean Count Dooku's ass ;)

[@oddjob7821]

hahahaha

[@JoeChillton]

Alfred looking sharp before his days at Wayne Manor.

[@jamesweber3797]

The greatest actors of horror were imho sir Christopher lee, sir Peter Cushing , and the late great king of horror himself Vincent Price. Loved the Hammer films. Loved american International films of Vincent Price too.

[@pattibrooks1907]

Love Peter Cushing Chris Lee movies And Horror Of Dracula is my favorite movie they made with eachother !

[@seancarden8227]

Same.

[@ChillWill281]

Mine has to be curse of Frankenstein it’s a masterpiece

[@Njbear7453]

LifeWith ChillWill do you know where to find that on Blu-ray?

[@ChillWill281]

Bear 7453 here where I live we have a retro movie and game shop but I would just order it off amazon

[@Njbear7453]

LifeWith ChillWill I think I’m going to on dvd ! Anyway I can see it I wanna see it !

[@atlekristiansen4975]

If Anakin hadn't killed Dooku, Tarkin would have...

[@landrya9938]

Perhaps one of the greatest “Good vs Evil” final battles in film history.

[@buffalopatriot]

What an incredible music cue. Those drums, horns and strings are sick.

[@robk3596]

Me & my dear old dad, long since gone, used to sit together together to watch these + the older black & white horrors. Many years ago me & my wife popped into a cafe, either Whitstable or Broadstairs, & there sat in the corner was Peter Cushing! Very old & frail but unmistakable. Sadly I missed the opportunity to thank him for all those great films & my precious memories!