Dracula

Rating:
Summary: Frank Langella Rules as Dracula!
Review: Although this story is slightly different than Bram Stoker's novel, it is, by far, my favorite rendition of the the story due to Mr. Langella's portrayal of the 'Count'.
I especially enjoyed the scene in which Count Dracula invites 'Lucy' for dinner to Carfax Abbey. As she walks into the 'dining room' I was blown away by the lighting effects and scenic effects of a run down castle.
And speaking about effects, the 'love scene' was indeed as romantic as any could imagine a love scene to be with a blood sucking vampire and a fair maiden. Mr. Langella stole my heart at that scene in the 1970's as he has continued to do since.
I applaud John Badham for this version of the story where we see minimal 'blood and guts' in a 'blood and guts' story. Of course, it was before the 'slasher' movies reigned, but are those slasher movies able to stand up now as they did when they first came out on the 'big screen'?
Mr. Badham has made a first rate, dark, frightening story which has been and will always be my favorite 'Dracula' for all time.
Love,Love,Love!!!


Rating:
Summary: A romantic approach to a classic tale
Review: I love this movie.

That's really all that needs said on the topic but given our culture's obsession with explanations, I will proceed with further comments. Firstly it's a very romantic, soft approach to a story that has otherwise been brutalized in the cinema. Most Dracula films drench the audience in blood and give us gruesome depictions of leering fangs, while this one alludes to things but is never expressly gory or gruesome. It's a softer approach that appeals in particular to females. Of course, who could doubt that -- one glimpse of Frank Langella sweeping into Lucy's life and carelessly tossing his long, menacing black cloak to the nearest forgotten servant is enough to set any woman's head spinning. Forget the composure of most villains, Dracula has all the beguiling sexuality of a dozen infamous Don Juans that send the very Victorian women in his life to utter confusion. Frank Langella was ingenious for the part, reprising a role he'd already defined on Broadway.

Everyone complains about the quality transfer and how this film has been forced into a nearly black and white canvas in order to create a gothic effect. Having not seen the original, I didn't find it disappointing, just a fabulous mood-setter. I know this will probably regulate my review to the bottom of the pile, but it's a matter of preference that lends a certain morbid flair to the piece. They had a marvelous palate to work with in the first place, from the Grecian architecture of the castle to the morose English countryside in midwinter, when death surrounds the morbid asylum and its pensive graveyard. The film manages to be very haunting and beautiful at the same time, indwelling romance while never allowing us to forget the sinister surroundings.

For concerned parents and sensitive viewers, the R-rating seems heavy handed in comparison to most modern films. Gore is minimal, language is nonexistent, and sexual content consists more of underlining tension and passionate kissing than anything heavy-handed. The extras are also very nice, although in some respects the director's commentary rehashes much of what we've already heard on the featurette, which is by far the most marvelous addition. Interviews with some of the cast and crew, as well as reminiscences about filming, remind us that this wasn't just a movie, it was an adventure from beginning to end, from Laurence Olivier's increasingly bad health but persistent determination to do his best (and he turns in a fine performance) to Frank Langella's surprising thoughts on the film's love scene.

It may not please anyone desiring leering fangs and blood spattered walls, but I certainly enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: Underrated remake of the stage play
Review: John Badham's "Dracula" varies quite a bit from both the stage play that was its direct inspiration (as well as Todd Browning's 1931 version that starred Bela Lugosi)and Stoker's novel. "Dracula" manages to be both gothic romance and gothic horror story all in one well scripted and directed package. None of "Dracula" takes place in Transylvania. W. D. Richter cleverly weaves elements of Stoker's novel, the play and his own original concepts into a fascinating tale.

Solicitor Jonathan Harker (Trevor Eve) has arranged for Count Dracula to purchase an old estate near Carfax Abbey. The old run down estate seems an odd choice but it seems it was exactly what the Count was looking for. When the schooner carrying Dracula is destroyed off the coast of Whitby, the only survivor is the Count. He befriends Harker, Dr. Seward (Donald Pleasance) who runs the local asylum, Seward's daughter Lucy (Kate Nelligan)and Mina Van Helsing (Jan Francis). Dracula finds a soulmate in Lucy and intends to take her for his own despite the fact that she's engaged to Harker. Mina dies due to anemia and her father Professor Van Helsing (Olivier)comes to claim the body. He recognizes how she died and who did it almost immediately setting in motion a battle for Lucy's immortal soul.

I never saw Langela perform this on stage but his charisma, sexuality and presence translate well to the screen. He portrays Dracula with a touch of weariness as well as a sense of loss. The stellar cast has a number of outstanding performances including that of Kate Nelligan and the superb Donald Pleasance. While Olivier gives an outstanding performance as Dracula's nemesis Van Helsing, I can imagine how the drama would have worked better with a younger, more atheletic Van Helsing (not to dissimilar from Peter Cushing's dashing performance in Hammer's "Horror of Dracula").

The transfer looks exceptional crisp, clear and the sound has tremendous presence. There are those that complained about how the film, despite the fact that it is in color, looks almost black and white. I seem to recall that the colors, although vibrant at times, were muted throughout most of the movie when I saw it in theaters although not to the great degree seen here. Evidently John Badham went back and had Universal adjust the color yet again prior to the DVD release. Regardless, it doesn't effect the overall clarity or sharpness of the image but be warned that this might not be the way you remember it. John Williams musical score sound terrific and has all the color that has been drained from the film.

There's a retrospective documentary entitled "The Revamping of Dracula", a photo gallery and a thoughtful commentary track by director Badham. Langela appears in the documentary on the making of "Dracula" and we actually see stills from the Broadway production featuring him as well in it. Langela comments on how ill Olivier was during shooting (and, in fact, a lot of scenes have his stand in for medium and long shots due to his illness). Badham comments on how Pleasance frequently stole scenes from his co-stars (Langela heard about it the day before he was to shoot his first scene with him). We also hear about why he used the lasers in some sequences. It's a terrific documentary although I would have liked to hear interviews with some of the other surviving actors although we get some interesting comments from producer Walter Mirisch and writer W. D. Richter ("Invasion of the Body Snatchers"). Richter's comments about some of the changes he made compare to the play are interesting (particularly the change to the line "Listen to them...the children of the night..what SAD music they make"). The photo gallery is also quite good.

Universal has done a fine job in this DVD reissue although some fans of the film may not like the muted colors for this DVD release. The extras and commentary by director Badham provided interesting observations on the making of the film. Sporting a anamorphic widescreen transfer (which translates to higher lines of resolution, hence better picture), "Dracula" looks exceptionally good despite some of the changes that Badham made to the film.



Rating:
Summary: Next to Lugosi this is the best
Review: I had really forgotten how good this movie was. Ok, so Frank Langella isn't Bela Lugosi who is probably the best to ever play the role. But, he's a great deal better than some of the Hammer Film actors who played various incarnations of the world's favorite bloodsucker over the years. Highly erotic in spots, if you're looking for Lugosi, you're not going to find it in this version. And its infinitely better than the computerized special-effects versions that have come along in recent years, make no mistake about that. Langella's performance is on-the-money as a somewhat sexually appealling Dracula (just what the ladies need) and after having played the role on Broadway for a year prior to the movie, brought fresh insights into a character whose last good incarnation was by Lugosi.
If you're a fan of the Count, have the Lugosi version and are looking to see what others have done with the role, this is the version to buy. If you're into schlock and computerized special effects, buy one of the more recent versions. You can't go wrong with this version, despite what some others might say.

Rating:
Summary: 2 stars for DVD, the movie gets a 4
Review: John Badham's "Dracula" is still among my favorites of the Dracula legend. Frank Langella added new dimensions to the characters, a smoothness that made the vampire more scary, though just as romantic. Terrific movie and Lucy will creep you out forever. But the DVD treatment is not so wonderful - rather than keeping the contrast deep with real blacks and whites, it looks more washed out than authentic. This may be what the director wanted but it looks too underlit - not the sight of near B&W that was long rumored. I love the movie and will keep the DVD but prepare to be disappointed by the wanting picture quality. For the rest of us, this Dracula is far superior to Coppola's over-the-top fang fest.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, and odd treatment on DVD
Review: DRACULA (1979) was a great re-working of the classic Bela Lugosi version of DRACULA (based on the stageplay by Hamilton and Deane). Much of the story is flipped around from Stoker's novel, and the filmmakers seem to play fast and loose with the myths and abilities of everyone's favorite bloodsucker. It has moments that lose some logic (why is Mina reflected in a pool of water? what about the "kite scene"?), but overall it captures some really great performances and a wonderful movie. Frank Langella will always be my image of DRACULA - a haunted romantic tragic figure who is a seducer of the highest order. He turns in a star performance that is incredible. Kate Nelligan's Lucy is played impressively strong and erotic. Olivier is touching as Van Helsing (even if he was old enough to have to rely on doubles for action scenes). And Donald Pleasance literally chews on Seward (he eats constantly throughout) and turns in another fine performance.

This DVD release is problematic for the choice of John Badham (the director also of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER)to suck out most of the color. Seems a little strange and compromises some of the film's cinematography. But they do include a 40 minute feature with all the major players and Badham's commentary is entertaining and great. John William's score sounds awesome digitally rendered, and it's one of his little known gems that is haunting and epic. I love this version, and even with some strange moments and gaffes (what's up with the red lasers and James Bond opening love scene?) it still works. Probably thanks to a first class cast and the bold choices of Frank Langella - a great Dracula who deserves praise for his choice to diversify from the Lugosi legend.