Lestat de Lioncourt (Interview with a Vampire), Edward Cullen (Twilight) Bill Compton (True Blood) and the rest of their fanged kind would not exist without the original original – Dracula.

One of the first appearances on film for the Count came by way of FW Murnau's haunting silent classic Nosferatu released in 1922. Since then, over 200 films have featured the iconic vampire; only one other character has appeared in more films, that being Sherlock Holmes.

Despite the character being represented so many times on film, only two actors are typically remembered for playing him: Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee.

Lee First starred as the Count in Hammer's 1958 film Dracula. Despite the film's success, he didn't return to reprise the role until seven years later in this film Dracula: Prince of Darkness.

The film is a direct sequel to the 1958 original; its opening scenes include a fantastic flashback to the events of the first film, including the demise of the titular bloodsucker.

Ten years on, and finding themselves exploring foreign soil are the Kent family: sister Helen (Barbara Shelley), brother Alan (Charles Tingwell), brother Charles (Francis Matthews) and his wife Diana (Suzan Farmer). They're staying at an inn before moving onto Carlsbad, which they've heard is very pretty at that time of year. However, they get a very stern warning from Father Sandor (Andrew Keir) not to go there, and most definitely not to go to the castle.

Ignoring his warning, the four of them decide to visit Carlsbad after all. But they soon find themselves stranded just outside of it, when their carriage driver insists they travel the rest of the way on their own as it's too risky for him to go there at nightfall.

They would have been stuck in the middle of nowhere if a driver-less carriage, led by two horses, didn't appear out of the blue. With their options somewhat thin on the ground, Charles persuades them all to hop in and he'll drive them back. They agree, but soon wish they hadn't, as the two steeds seemingly have a mind all of their own and whisk them all to the foreboding castle in the distance.

Initially it appears vacant, until they are introduced to Klove (Philip Latham); he is the servant of the house, who answers to his master Count Dracula (Lee). When asked if he would be joining them for dinner, he informs them that it's unlikely, seeing that he's dead. What he doesn't tell them however, is that just because he's dead, doesn't mean that he won't be joining them later...

I don't know why they make me do this, catering know I'm a vegetarian.

After the first film, with its impressive battle between Van Helsing and Dracula, this sequel drastically misses the appearance of Peter Cushion. Even Lee seems to be a little lack lacklustre in the role without his nemesis around.

This restored version to Blu-ray brings two realisations to the fore: the first is that it's difficult to believe that this really scared audiences back then (which is obviously only due to our own desensitised reactions to violence and horror over the years; this is reflected by the fact that what was once deemed a horrifying 18 certificate, is now considered a 15, although it really is closer to a 12A in content); and also what a terrific job the restorers did.

Although the dialogue is pretty flat throughout – so much so that even Dracula himself doesn't utter a word in this film – the environment is brought to the fore with the vivid use of colours.

This film may not be one of the best of its kind in terms of Dracula titles, but it does makes up for it in part in its brave attempt at bringing the Count from the first film back from the dead. And although he doesn't say a word (and quite possibly because of it) Lee steals the show with a darkly chilling performance.

With such an impressive restoration, it certainly bodes well for further Hammer restorations that are on their way, which will hopefully have a bit more bite to them.