christopher lee

Robin Hardy's 1973 opus, The Wicker Man, is undeniably one of the greatest contributions to the horror genre. Now, Hardy wants to keep the fire burning for a new generation with his companion film, The Wicker Tree. After long delays and budget issues, the film started shooting last year near Edinburgh and wrapped just a few months ago. Hardy previewed a 10 minute rough-cut of the film at a screening of The Wicker Man in New York City in October. Reviews were mixed to negative about the film that isn't a sequel to the original, but a story that explores the same bizarre, occult world of an inclusive society.

Originally titled Cowboys for Christ (pulled from Hardy's novel of the same name), the story follows a young, Christian couple who leave Texas to preach the gospel door-to door in Scotland. After the local community shuns them, they are welcomed with open arms into Tressock, the border fiefdom of Sir Lachlan Morrison. The couple assumes their hosts want to join their mission, but the mysterious group has other plans. I have a strange hunch it involves a burning wicker tree.

Depending on how you feel about The Wicker Tree at this point, you may or may not be thrilled that Christopher Lee is reprising his role as Lord Summerisle. Will he still have that groovy coif? The dubious Sir Lachlan Morrison will be played by Graham McTavish, with Brittania Nichol, Henry Garrett, Honeysuckle Weeks and Jacqueline Leonard also starring.

The new one sheet for the film was previewed on the equally new website--trading a giant sunshine face for twining trees. There's still no word about an official release date but the site indicates that this is the year to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man.

In my experience, fellow Hammer horror fans either absolutely adore Dracula A.D. 1972 or despise it. The studio was obviously cashing in on the British mod craze and certainly the film's title dates itself in an unsavory way, but in general it's still a good trip for me. As a Hammer film however, it fails miserably. The great Christopher Lee has been relegated to what feels like a supporting role and Peter Cushing dashes around posing like he's in some uber stylized action movie (Yes, this is kind of awesome). There's even a really groovy Starsky & Hutch style score to help set the mood (I actually like it). What should be authentic comes across as cheddar. The cast is unbelievable as a group of young hipsters and instead plays out like a 30-something Austin Powers party. Hammer's attempt to update the Dracula story for contemporary audiences is nothing like the sleazy pussycat parade I want it to be, but it does have one thing going for it: a bag full of Hammer babes.

There's a vixen for every type in this movie. Stephanie Beacham stars as Jessica, the smart yet naive type who falls prey to the bloodthirsty Count because of her legendary namesake, Van Helsing. Marsha Hunt is Gaynor, the comely kitten who is lured into the vampiric clutches of one sneer-tastic villain, Johnny Alucard (Christopher Neame). And last but certainly not least is Caroline Munro who plays Laura, the foxy lady who offers herself as the delicious sacrifice during the groovy gang's Satanic shenanigans.

"It is not heresy...and I will not recant!" says Christopher Lee in Hammer Films' curtain call, To the Devil a Daughter. My sentiment exactly in choosing the number two Hammer Glamour actress, Nastassja Kinski, who appeared in only one Hammer movie but left a lasting impression on audiences. Already ancient by the time my young and impressionable eyes found it, this film was an introduction to what would become my unhealthy addiction to nunsploitation sinema.

The power of Christ compels me to tell you more about the 1976 film that was adapted from the 1953 novel of the same name by Dennis Wheatley. Hammer and Wheatley had already been pals since 1968 when another one of his novels was brought to life by the studio, The Devil Rides Out. This happens to be Sir Christopher Lee's favorite role with Hammer and an excellent film. Much more so than the oversimplified Daughter which comes in such an attractive package that I have no trouble embracing its exploitation. What Daughter lacks in coherence it makes up for in atmosphere alone.

It has been over 30 years since Christopher Lee last starred in a feature for Hammer Films and judging by these newly released stills from The Resident, it looks like he's back at home with the movie studio. Lee left the studio on shaky terms so there has to be something positive drawing him to this project. Hopefully it's more than just the cheese.

Hilary Swank stars as Juliet Dermer, a young doctor in the process of separating from her husband. In order to make a new start, she moves to Brooklyn and settles into a gorgeous loft apartment that hipsters everywhere fantasize about. Everything seems too good to be true--including her charming and attractive landlord Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) who has an obsession brewing for Juliet. The film was directed by Antti Jokinen and co-written with Robert Orr (Savior) and Erin Cressida Wilson (Fur and Secretary).

The film is being described as a sexy and erotic thriller which is probably the best we can hope for. I have so many unrealistic expectations about what Hammer Films should be putting out. If they can deliver something smart and creepy for their first attempt under new leadership I'll be satisfied. Hit the jump for a few more stills.

The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism

Director Harald Reinl spent most of his career making adaptations of the Karl May and Edgar Wallace books but managed to turn out The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism (Die Schlangengrube und das Pendel) starring Christopher Lee, Lex Baxter (yep, Tarzan) and Natalie Wood look-a-like Karin Dor. The story is based on Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum. Poe's tale takes place during the Spanish Inquisition. The narrator of the story is charged for an unnamed crime, then locked in a dungeon where implements of doom force him closer to a large, deep pit in the floor which will send him falling to his death.

There's tons of Gothic-kitsch torture traps in Dr. Sadism, along with a pistol carrying priest, hilarious effects (green blood!), a psychadelic creature mural and a soudtrack that resembles some kind of 60's swing-pop/lounge music which is completely out of place but entertaining. In the movie's start we meet Count Regula (Christopher Lee) who has been found guilty of torturing and murdering 12 women in his far away castle. He's sentenced to be quartered, fitted with a spiky mask and then torn apart by horsies in the town square. Fast forward to present day and Count Regula's story has become the equivalent of a carny sideshow act but most of the townsfolk are terrified at the mere sound of his name. Leading lovelies Roger von Marienberg (Lex Baxter) and Baroness Lilian von Brabant (Karin Dor) are mysteriously lured to the Count's castle on the hill where they soon learn why they were selected for sadistic torture and mayhem.

In what seems as a long overdue gesture of appreciation for one of the most seminal horror actors in the history of the genre, Count Dracula himself, Christopher Lee, can now have the ever-impressive "Sir" appended to the front of his name.

Joining a number of others, including musician Joe Brown and cyclist Nicole Cook, BBC News reports that the veteran actor, who also starred as Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and Lord Saruman in the Lord of the Rings, has been knighted by the Prince of Wales for "services to drama and to charity."

Through it all, Sir Christopher Lee remained as humble as ever, jokingly citing not Hammer but his success in The Lord of the Rings or Star Wars as his big break: "I've done a lot of films that have become iconic, not necessarily because of me...a whole new career opened up for me when I was in Lords Of The Rings and Star Wars.

This isn't the first honor to bestowed upon Dracula. In 2001 Queen Elizabeth appointed him Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 2005 named the 'Most Marketable Star' for his performances in three of the top films in 2005 - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride and Star Wars, Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, which garnered $640 million combined.

Gothic horror god Christopher Lee says he has no interest in today's horror films and considers them "dreadful" and "obscene." The veteran actor recently told CNN, "I find it quite nauseating what they do. The blood is all over the screen like an avalanche--the mutilation...I just don't enjoy that." I guess he won't be lining up for Saw VIII any time soon.

The British actor is synonymous with Hammer studios in his recurring role as Dracula. His first role as the fanged Count lasted only six weeks and paid him £750. Since then he has become a legend -- the Queen even knighted him earlier this year. Even though he left Hammer on shaky terms, he will be returning to work with them on their first theatrical feature in over 30 years, The Resident, which is currently in post-production.

The film is about a young doctor whose landlord has a frightening obsession with her. John De Mol, one of the founders of reality TV powerhouse Endemol and creator of Big Brother, purchased the rights to Hammer in 2007. The Resident and Let Me In, a remake of the popular Swedish vampire flick Let the Right One In, are the two new features that De Mol hopes will revive the studio. Resident director Antti Jokinen feels that Lee is instrumental in creating the right mood for the film's noir style, "He has that presence that a movie like this needs because a single look can be the scary atmosphere that you need."

Robin Hardy's 1973 The Wicker Man holds a special place in the heart of many horror fans, but the goodness of the occult thriller has nearly been undone by Nicolas Cage, Neil LaBute, and "Not the beeeeeess!!" But Hardy's going to try to make you forget all of that bear-suited weirdness by returning to his world of Celtic sacrifice in The Wicker Tree. The Edinburgh News reports that the long delayed sequel has begun filming in and around Edinburgh (prettiest city in the world).

Dread Central has the scoop on the film's story, which isn't a direct sequel, but a story "in the style" of the original that explores the same occult world. But I'm a little worried this one could actually veer into Nic Cage camp when you consider its original title: Cowboys For Christ. Those cowboys are actually two Americans - a gospel singer named Beth and her cowboy boyfriend Steve. They're both members of those "waiting until marriage" movements, and decide to leave Texas for Scotland, in the hopes of converting the pagan population they believe lives there. After being mocked and abused ("Leave us and our kilt-wearing, sex-loving ways alone!"), they're welcomed with open arms to Tressock, the feudal fiefdom of Lachlan Morrison (Christopher Lee!). They assume their Tressock hosts want to hear more about silver promise rings, and the love of Jesus. Because, you know, Christopher Lee is just that type of guy. They're in for a big surprise ... especially if it's Beltane! The film has a release date of 2010, and we'll keep you updated on all its burning love and sacrifices.