Dracula [Blu-ray]

Director: John Badham

Overview

Based on the novel by Bram Stoker, this film follows the exploits of the famous Count Dracula (Frank Langella) as he leaves his Translyvanian home to search out new victims.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/26/2019
UPC:	0826663203707
Original Release:	1979
Rating:	R
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	A
Language:	English
Time:	1:50:00
Sales rank:	18,495

Special Features

Disc 1, 1991 Director's Edition: Director preferred desaturated color timing; New introduction with Director John Badham; New interview with John Badham; Audio Commentary with John Badham; "The Revamping of Dracula; Disc 2, 1979 Theatrical Version: Original theatrical color timing; New Audio Commentary by film historian/filmmaker Constantine Nasr; Theatrical trailer; Still gallery

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Frank Langella	Count Dracula
Donald Pleasence	Dr. Jack Seward
Kate Nelligan	Lucy
Trevor Eve	Jonathan Harker
Jan Francis	Mina Seward
Tony Haygarth	R. M. Renfield
Janine Duvitski	Annie
Teddy Turner	Swales
Kristine Howarth	Mrs. Galloway
Joe Belcher	Tom Hindley
Ted Carroll	Scarborough Sailor
Frank Birch	Harbormaster
Gabor Vernon	Captain of Demeter
Frank Henson	Demeter Sailor
Sylvester McCoy	Walter
Laurence Olivier	Prof. Abraham Van Helsing
Peter Wallis	Priest
John Williams	Composer

Technical Credits

Roy Arbogast	Special Effects
John Badham	Director
Marvin E. Mirisch	Executive Producer,Producer
Eddie Powell	Stunts

Editorial Reviews

This oft-criticized take on the classic Bram Stoker story is probably its most controversial adaptation. W.D. Richter's screenplay toys with the source material in some interesting ways -- like making Lucy a proto-feminist -- but it suffers from a muddled third act and reduces Harker to a nonentity, a flaw compounded by Trevor Eve's lackluster performance. These flaws keep this version of Dracula from reaching classic status, but the film remains worthwhile because it gets several other things right. Frank Langella makes an excellent Dracula, creating a figure whose seductive nature is a key part of what makes him frightening. Sir Laurence Olivier matches him note for note as Van Helsing, bringing a delightful theatrical touch to his sparring matches with the evil count. Best of all, John Badham directs the proceedings with a true flair for gothic melodrama and gives the film a tremendous sense of atmosphere. His work is aided immensely by a thunderous (and rather atypical) score from John Williams and the lush, moody cinematography of Gil Taylor. Ultimately, the pros outweigh the cons in this version of Dracula and it remains worthwhile for fans of old-fashioned horror.