Peter Cushing’s Van Helsing Returns to Hunt the Prince of Darkness in New ‘Horror of Dracula’ Figure

Because of latest movies like Renfield, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Abigail, and Nosferatu, Dracula is extra standard than ever. The well-known vampiric Count has risen from the useless in popular culture. Alongside his new cinematic nightmares, the Prince of Darkness’ merchandise has been sucking the life out of horror collectors for the final variety of years. This has included attraction collections, Funko Pops, and action figures. Now, Dracula has met his match as NECA has launched their newest determine based mostly on Peter Cushing‘s Physician Van Helsing.

Primarily based on Cushing’s likeness in 1959’s Horror of Dracula, this Final Van Helsing determine is armed to the tooth with some killer equipment. This consists of an additional suited torso, additional gloved and naked palms, picket stakes, a hammer, a holy cross, and two silver candlesticks that may come collectively to type a makeshift cross. The determine additionally options a number of heads. There’s one with a high hat, one with out, and one other with Cushing displaying an indignant face. The principle torso of the piece has Van Helsing carrying a fur-lined coat. Whereas NECA has spent most of this decade creating seven-inch figures based mostly on Common’s iconic variations of basic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and The Mummy, this Van Helsing is the second determine they’ve produced from the Hammer monster series. This can be a franchise that began within the mid-50s after the primary Common Monster craze was over. Van Helsing now joins Christopher Lee’s Dracula in NECA’s Hammer assortment.

Hammer’s Blood-Soaked Period of Monsters

Whereas Hammer Movies had been round because the mid-30s and The Curse of Frankenstein got here out a 12 months prior in 1957, Dracula or Horror of Dracula in America actually launched audiences to a brand new blood-soaked period of monsters. This up to date tackle Bram Stoker‘s legendary villain took full benefit of the newer Technicolor format and featured blood each time doable. Whether or not or not it’s on the title card itself or operating down Lee’s deadly fangs, this Rely wasn’t messing round. Whereas the 1931 Common movie will all the time stay probably the most beloved, the Dracula vs Van Helsing battle was outlined by Horror of Dracula. Cushing is what most style followers consider when Helsing’s namesake is introduced up. From the route to the haunting environment to the performances, Horror continues to be the superior adaptation to today. Cushing would additionally go on to play a model of Van Helsing in 4 sequels. These could be 1960’s The Brides of Dracula, 1972’s Dracula A.D. 1972, 1973’s The Satanic Rites of Dracula, and 1974’s The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires.

The place Can You Stream ‘Horror of Dracula’?

Horror of Dracula is not at the moment on a standard streaming service, however you possibly can hire it on most paid VOD platforms like Fandango at Residence. The movie can be available on Blu-ray through the Warner Archive Assortment. Earlier than your subsequent Dracula binge, you possibly can pre-order NECA’s Cushing Van Helsing determine on Entertainment Earth’s website for $36.99 USD. The determine is about to hunt the undead in April.