DRACULA (79) (DVD) ( DVD

Dracula
In the late '70s, Frank Langella starred in the hit Broadway play Dracula, written by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston. Langella's charisma and the surreal, black-and-white sets designed by cartoonist Edward Gorey were the chief outstanding features of the play, which was otherwise undistinguished. While this film production of the play boasts performances by stage veterans Lord Laurence Olivier and Donald Pleasance, as well as Frank Langella as the suavest of counts, it was neither a critical nor a box-office success, doubtlessly because expectations ran too high. One highlight of this production is its skillful use of special effects. The standard story of Bram Stoker's original novel is re-created here: the undead count arranges to move from his home in Transylvania to Whitby, and once there, a reign of terror begins. He is opposed by the canny Doctor Van Helsing (Laurence Olivier), who eventually triumphs. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Cast Frank Langella as Count Dracula Laurence Olivier as Abraham Van Helsing Donald Pleasence as Jack Seward Kate Nelligan as Lucy Seward Trevor Eve as Jonathan Harker Jan Francis as Mina Van Helsing Janine Duvitski as Annie Teddy Turner as Swales

Crew Brian Ackland-Snow - Art Director Tom Pevsner - Associate Producer Julie Harris - Costume Designer Anthony Waye - First Assistant Director John Badham - Director John Bloom - Editor John Williams - Composer (Music Score) Peter Murton - Production Designer Gilbert Taylor - Cinematographer Walter Mirisch - Producer Roy Arbogast - Special Effects Robin Gregory - Sound/Sound Designer W.D. Richter - Screenwriter Bram Stoker - Book Author John L. Balderston - Play Author Hamilton Deane - Play Author

Dracula
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. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English, Spanish, French Sound Processing: DD2: Dolby Digital Stereo Additional Features: Feature commentary with director John Badham "The Revamping of Dracula" Photo gallery DVD Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1: Cinemascope MPAA Rating: R DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 110 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Ship of the Damned [3:56] 2. Lone Survivor [6:08] 3. Dracula's Baggage [5:40] 4. Welcoming Party [8:10] 5. Midnight Encounters [6:05] 6. Innocent Victim [5:42] 7. Business at the Castle [5:29] 8. Van Helsing's Arrival [3:38] 9. Intimate Dinner [7:41] 10. A Father's Gift [4:32] 11. United for Eternity [6:50] 12. Family Reunion [4:05] 13. Casting Out Evil [2:24] 14. Wild Work to Be Done [4:00] 15. King of His Kind [5:17] 16. Healing Lucy [5:18] 17. Supernatural Love [5:33] 18. Last Voyage [9:13]