Dracula (1958)

aka Horror of Dracula (in the US)

It took huge liberties with Bram Stoker's story, but otherwise Hammer's first flirtation with Dracula is the best vampire film they ever made. The elaborate sets are beautifully lit. The creeping strings and timely crashing cymbals of James Bernard's score lift everything from routinely dramatic to legendary heights. What gets the most attention, deservedly so, is the addition of Christopher Lee in the lead role and Peter Cushing as his nemesis, the pursuant Dr. Abraham Van Helsing. Pitting those two against each other is like having mountains collide amid a thunderstorm.
The ending is the most memorable of any vampire film I've ever seen.

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