Rating: 
Summary: There are such things
Review: Bela lugosi stars in his only role where he played the villan and a bigamist, (Dracula has 3 wives.) Such famous quotes in this film include, "I never drink...wine." Also excellent is Edward van sloan, who plays professor van helsing. The documentary on this DVD is great too, not only because it's interetsting, but on it, there is a clip of the closing monologue done by Edward van sloan. It was cut from the film, but it sort of goes like this: "Wait, ladies and gentlemen, before you go, we would just like to remind you one thing. Before you go to bed tonight, we hope this film doesn't give you any bad dreams. And when you're afraid to look behind the curtains, out the window, just remember, There are such things." A great movie, and a very interesting one too.
Rating:
Summary: The "Swan Lake" of Classic Horror!
Review: "Listen to them! The Children of the Night...what music they make!" As quoted from Bela Lugosi's unforgettable performance of Count Dracula in this immortal 1931 classic now available on DVD! The documentary supplement hosted by Carla Laemmle (the daughter of Carl Laemmle, founder of Universal Studios, and the actress who reads the opening lines in DRACULA) gives a fascinating study of the history of the novel DRACULA and the production of this film. I really enjoyed the information on NOSFERATU and the Spanish Version of DRACULA, also mentioned in the documentary. The DVD is in great condition and includes three different versions of DRACULA; (1) the 1931 production starring Bela Lugosi, (2) the simultaneously produced Spanish production, and (3) the recent release of DRACULA with a new music score which adds a creepy dimension to the film. DRACULA doesn't need more touches to make it an enduring classic of the genre, but every little bit helps. Even more fascinating is the Feature Commentary by David J. Skal - worth listening to again and again it is so interesting. Invite some friends over and buy it now for some good scares!
Rating: 
Summary: The new score has really improved this old favorite
Review: Like many of you, I have seen this film many times, both in theaters, t.v. and home video. While the 'original' Dracula was always a favorite of mine, I would never consider it all that great of a movie.The Phil Glass score has given this film new life. It's almost like seeing the movie for the first time.
Rating:
Summary: Dracula---the music video!
Review: This is a great movie, of course. But if you are looking for the "original" version, this is not it. The new music adds a lot, but at times I felt as if I was watching a music video or something. In some ways it was really neat, but overall the music took away from the original creepiness.!
Rating:
Summary: I am . . . Dracula. I bid you. . .welcome.
Review: There are three reasons that this film is still watchable today, and none of them is Tod Browning. The three reasons are Lugosi, Frye and Van Sloan, who give wonderful performances that float this creaky old boat. Browning was a frankly lousy director. But thanks to its cast, this is still enjoyable. Seeing the cop-out ending, I always long to grab Browning by the throat and shake some sense into him. What a wasted opportunity! And to think Universal didn't want to cast Lugosi in the role he made famous on stage! What can i say, the Laemmles were idiots!
Rating:
Summary: I am . . . Dracula. I bid you. . .welcome.
Review: There are three reasons that this film is still enjoyable today, and none of them is Tod Browning. The three reasons are Lugosi, Frye and Van Sloan, who give wonderful performances that float this creaky old boat. Browning was a frankly lousy director. But thanks to its cast, this is still enjoyable. Seeing the cop-out ending, I always long to grab Browning by the throat and shake some sense into him. What a wasted opportunity!
Rating:
Summary: Dracula (1931)
Review: Run, don't walk, to your retailer and buy this. Is it a perfect movie ? Of course not. However for fans of the great Bela Lugosi, your collection is sadly lacking without it.
Rating:
Summary: Lugosi brilliant, movie less so, DVD a perfect presentation.
Review: This disc is the absolute high water mark for this Universal classic. It contains three films: the original 1931 version, the Spanish language production, and an alternate version of the original featuring a score by famed composer Phillip Glass. There is also an excellent documentary by David Skal that examines both the source novel and its movie adaptation and the impact it had on the genre as well as its star creation. The original film itself is a tad creaky, which only strengthens arguments that director Tod Browning really did not care all that much about the project, however Lugosi is nothing but brilliant as the Count. The sauve yet predatory dignity he brought to the part might seem a tad campy if taken out of context, but in the movie as a whole it is simply stunning. Dwight Frye as Renfield and Edward Van Sloan as Van Helsing also contribute incredible performances. The Glass score did nothing for me and seemed out of place, being far too contemporary in sound to really enhance such an old film. The spanish language version is, technically speaking, better made than Browning's, but it lacks the powerful presence of an actor like Lugosi and runs a bit long at nearly an hour and forty minutes. Universal as done a superb job with this disc. The Count could not have gotten better treatment. It is an essential for any horror fan's, or movie buff's for that matter, film library. Required.
Rating:
Summary: King Spooky
Review: I finally saw this movie for the first time last night, and I will admit I accidentally wet my pants while watching. It was embarassing as I was with friends, but I have a difficult time dealing with freaky, eerie movies. That said, I will recommend this film wholeheartedly to anyone not yet acquainted with it. It's not very long (about an hour and fifteen minutes), but it packs a lot of chills. It hasn't happened yet, but I expect to see Bela Lugosi in my nightmares sometime soon. Once you see his face and hear his voice, it will stay with you. I shivered and audibly gasped when he said "I never drink...wine." One guess as to what he DOES drink... Let me just say, any 70 year old movie that can still lead to involuntary urination by an adult is definately worth a late-night viewing. You might want to leave a night-light on though...
Rating:
Summary: Notes from a Glass fan
Review: I was very pleased to get this DVD, almost the reason I got the player. While not a big fan of the movie (I often fall asleep during some of the overly static scenes) I was looking forward to having a good copy with the Philip Glass score performed by the Kronos Quartet. I especially looked forward to hearing the score as an isolated sound track, saves me the cost of buying the cd. The movie is as usual, shown well here. I struggled through the movie without the new soundtrack so I would have a fresh reference for what's been added. I listened to the added score and liked it a great deal. I think Glass contributed a haunting dimension to the story and made the "empty" sections much more enjoyable. I was surprised to find the commentary track very enjoyable and I look forward to watching the Spanish language version with english subtitles. A word of WARNING: if the Glass soundtrack is available as an isolated track... I have not been able to find it. There's a lot to enjoy on this disc.
|
