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"Among the rugged peaks that frown down upon the Borgo pass are found crumbling castles of a bygone
age."
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And in the crypt beneath Castle Dracula, there are foul things afoot. Rats, and bugs, and spiders,
and vampires and even...GASP...Armadillos!!!
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Up above, Dracula welcomes Renfield, who has traveled to Transylvania to finalize the transfer of
Carfax Abbey, in England, to Dracula.
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Renfield suffers a paper cut, never a good idea in front of a vampire. This is the high
point of Renfield's fortunes for the rest of the movie, because later ...
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... after the paper work has been signed, Dracula's wives decide to make a meal of Renfield.
He is saved by Dracula, but only so Dracula can make him his slave.
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The goings on at Dracula's castle drive Renfield insane. After he arrives in England with Dracula's
coffin, he is committed to an asylum. But not just any asylum, it's Dr. Seward's asylum, which just happens to be next
door to Carfax Abbey, where Dracula is taking up residence.
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After "dinner" Dracula just happens to stroll into the symphony, where Dr. Seward and his party are
enjoying the show from a private box. Dracula is introduced to Seward's daughter Mina, her fiance John Harker,
and seen here, Mina's friend, Lucy. This is the high point of Lucy's fortunes for the rest of the movie,
because later ...
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... Dracula puts the bite on Lucy, making her a vampire.
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After dispatching Lucy, Dracula moves on to Dr. Seward's daughter, Mina. Unfortunately for
Dracula, this prompts Dr. Seward to consult with Professor Van Helsing, who knows all about vampires. He tricks
Dracula into looking into the mirror in a cigarette box, knowing that a vampire casts no reflection; "I dislike mirrors."
says Dracula, "Van Helsing will explain."
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Later, Dracula returns to deal with Van Helsing. This movie has some great lines in it (noted
at the top of the page), but "Now that you have learned what you have learned ..." is a classic. Anyway, Van Helsing
is prepared and repulses Dracula with the Vampire Hunter's all purpose tool - the Cross.
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Van Helsing must also deal with Harker, who takes exception to the professor's attempts to protect
Mina from Dracula. Harker does not believe in vampires and that, as all fans of such movies know, is "the vampire's
greatest strength."
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But Van Helsing eventually convinces everyone he knows what he's talking about, and not a moment
too soon because Dracula has put the bite on Mina and has taken her to his lair in Carfax Abbey. If Dracula is able
to fulfill his evil plan, and Mina dies by night, she will become a vampire like Dracula. Van Helsing and Harker spot
Renfield heading for the Abbey and follow him.
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Unfortunately for Renfield, Dracula becomes aware that Renfield has been followed, and despite his
pleas for mercy, dispatches him. The sun is about to rise so Dracula must return to his coffin before he can implement
his evil plan. This is the high point of Dracula's fortunes for the rest of the movie, because ...
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... Van Helsing discovers Dracula's coffin and drives a stake through his heart, ending his reign
of terror forever, and ...
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... Mina suffers through Dracula's death but is then free of his curse.
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