Dracula Has Risen from the Grave

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave

Year: 1968

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Freddie Francis

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsCreepy chilling and terrifying horrorTerrifying haunted and supernatural horrorGothic and eerie haunting horror

Christopher Lee returns as the fanged undead Count Dracula, reborn when blood from a priest’s head wound—sucked during a botched exorcism— drips onto the vampire’s corpse in the shadows of his castle. Revived, he spreads fear across Transylvania, haunting the nearby village of Keineneburg as he stalks and preys on its inhabitants, driven by his insatiable thirst for blood.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dracula Has Risen from the Grave yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1896

The events take place in the late 19th century, specifically around 1896. This period blends rural piety with rising supernatural dread and Gothic mood. The environment — thunderstorms, mountain fortress, and medieval rites — reinforces a world where faith and superstition collide. The narrative moves from village rituals to a climactic confrontation at Dracula's castle.

Location

East European village, Dracula's castle, Keinenberg

The story unfolds in an East European village shadowed by a distant, menacing castle. The castle sits on a mountainside, its presence shaping the villagers' fear and superstition, especially around church life. Everyday life centers on the village church, a bakery below the tavern, and the treacherous paths leading up to the castle, highlighting a clash between faith and looming danger. Keinenberg, Mueller's home city, links the local drama to a broader clerical world.

🕯️ Village setting 🏰 Gothic fortress 🗺️ Remote mountain locale

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:26

Main Characters – Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)

Meet the key characters of Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dracula (Christopher Lee)

The ancient vampire returns to exact revenge on Mueller, using hypnotic influence over the enslaved priest and manipulating others to serve his dark aims. He is a calculating predator who thrives on fear, power, and the villagers' superstition. His presence anchors the Gothic threat that drives the plot and escalates the danger to Maria.

🧛 Vampiric antagonist 🌀 Manipulative 💀 Gothic horror

Maria Mueller (Veronica Carlson)

Mueller's niece and the central human target of Dracula's schemes, Maria becomes a focal point of courage under supernatural pressure. Her relationship with Paul anchors the emotional core and motivates acts of protection and sacrifice. She embodies vulnerability under threat, but resilience in the face of darkness.

💖 Protagonist 🛡️ Protective 🧭 Romantic tension

Paul (Barry Andrews)

A bakery worker and Maria's steadfast protector, Paul embodies everyday courage and love. He collaborates with Mueller and later the freed priest to confront Dracula, risking his life to shield Maria. Paul's actions drive the practical response to supernatural danger and symbolize hope amid despair.

💪 Hero 🥖 Everyday courage ❤️ Love interest

Monsignor Ernst Mueller (Rupert Davies)

A devoted priest who travels to the castle to confront evil, Mueller represents unwavering faith and self-sacrifice. His determination inspires others to act even as he suffers wounds in the process. He passes on protective rites and ultimately succumbs, embodying the cost of spiritual battle.

🙏 Faith leader 🗝️ Rite keeper 🕊️ Martyr-like

The Village Priest (Ewan Hooper)

Under Dracula's thrall, the priest becomes a dangerous vehicle for the vampire's will, complicating the effort to rescue Maria. His arc explores the peril of losing faith and the possibility of redemption once freed from control. He regains a fragment of prayer before collapsing, signaling the return of humanity.

👤 Priest 🌓 Shadow of doubt ⚖️ Moral conflict

Zena (Barbara Ewing)

A tavern girl whom Dracula enslaves to lure Maria, Zena serves as a tragic pawn within the vampire's strategy. Her demise underscores Dracula's brutal reach and the human cost of his immortality. Her fate foreshadows the peril that confronts the village.

🗡️ Villainized ally 💔 Tragic fate 🕯️ Gothic omen

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:26

Major Themes – Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)

Explore the central themes of Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕯️ Faith vs Doubt

Mueller undertakes a dangerous exorcism while the village trembles in fear. The enslaved priest embodies doubt and spiritual leakage, contrasting with Mueller's steadfast belief. Religious rites and Latin prayers become pivotal tools against the vampire's influence. The climax tests whether faith can endure temptation and fear.

🩸 Vampirism and Revenge

Dracula's return uses supernatural power to manipulate the living and threaten the community. His control over the priest and pursuit of Maria propel the horror into motion, with blood and rituals marking the conflict. The setting amplifies the terror: rooftops, shadows, and a castle fortress where the vampire's power is finally challenged. The resolution hinges on ritual protection and moral courage.

⚔️ Redemption and Sacrifice

Paul and the freed priest confront Dracula and risk everything to protect Maria. Their alliance embodies courage, love, and a renewed sense of faith in the face of evil. The final confrontation culminates in sacrifice and a return to prayer, with Dracula dissolving as the heroes honor life and humanity. The ending suggests redemption for the living through acts of faith and selflessness.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:26

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Dracula Has Risen from the Grave

Don't stop at just watching — explore Dracula Has Risen from the Grave in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dracula Has Risen from the Grave is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave Summary

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave Timeline

Track the full timeline of Dracula Has Risen from the Grave with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave Timeline

More About Dracula Has Risen from the Grave

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dracula Has Risen from the Grave: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Dracula Has Risen from the Grave

Explore More About Movie Dracula Has Risen from the Grave

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow