JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonDracula (1992) - Trailer Included
November 6th 2009 00:01
Bram Stoker's Dracula - Available on BlurRay DVD
Director: Francis Ford Coppolla
Writer: James V Hart
Starring: Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Bill Campbell, Richard E Grant, Sadie Frost, Tom Waits, Monica Bellucci, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves
Since first appearing in Bram Stoker’s 1897 epistolary novel the character of Count Dracula has undoubtedly become the most iconic of all vampires. Serving as the template for blood sucker folklore there have been a plethora of films featuring the gothic character, none capturing the essence of the source told through character diary entries, letters and telegrams. Then Director Francis Ford Coppolla (Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, the Godfather) turned his creative eye to the material.
Capturing the mood and narrative tone, while not compulsively loyal this is as close to the original author’s intentions as a big screen adaptation has ever come. It is a grandiose vision, smothered in the dense atmosphere of obsessive romance and morose desperation.
Introduced as a mortal, in 1462 Vlad the Impaler earns a reputation as a merciless warrior fighting in the name of god, intent on destruction he savages the Turkish Armies on the battlefield. Returning victorious he discover that misinformation of his death has caused his beloved wife to commit suicide. In an unhinged rage, Vlad vows to the all mighty that dark vengeance shall be his from beyond the grave.
Arising as the immortal Count Dracul, (Gary Oldman) now he must feed and a furious terror is unleashed that lasts for centuries to come. Then in the 1890’s he discovers his beauty Elisbeta has been reincarnated as an English lass named Mina (Winona Ryder). The physical resemblance is unmistakable and soon the Count must cross the Atlantic to reclaim what was always his possession.
Not while I'm eating!
John Doe Says:
Coppolla’s skill as a filmmaker seems to waiver depending on inspiration (Jack), but here he is obviously so enamored with the material that an undeniable passion lets his expressive juices saturate the screen. The theatrics of shadow pantomime rise to an operatic crescendo, working in unison with bold colors, flamboyant costumes by Eiko Ishioka (Mishima: A Life in 4 Chapters)and Wojciech Kilar’s (The Ninth Gate) brazen score. The tragic themes merge to conclude in an experience resembling a frenzied dream, the nightmare that may or may not have been real.
Hypnotic in its ethereal execution that sucks on the marrow of the silent era classic Nosferatau, the cinematography by Scosese regular Michael Ballhaus (Goodfellas, Last Temptation of Christ, Gangs of New York) is the personification of cinema as art. Every frame deserves to be paused printed, framed and hung on a wall. The use of shadow and light is done with such precision that criticism of the film is neutered by its majesty. Even the potentially terminal miscasting of Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder can be forgiven when this staggering camera work is escalated by astonishing production design and Gary Oldman’s incendiary central performance.
Tongue, blood, razor, sure I can do something with it says Oldman
As mentioned the films major flaw is that of Keanu Reeves (My Own private Idaho, Rivers Edge) trying to play a British intellect. According to Coppolla “he needed a young, hot star that would connect with the girls.” Reeves’ is stiff and forced as the hapless, doomed fiancé of Dracula’s betrothed and never looks comfortable in his costume nor the characters skin.
Also lacking what the gravitas of her part demands, Winona Ryder (Heathers, A Scanner Darkly)fails to convince as the eternal beauty Elisbetha/Mina. Hers is a doe eyed, innocent presence that fails to evolve beyond naïve. This counter acts the necessary chemistry to fuse with Gary Oldman’s dominant force of nature.
Throughout his uneven career Anthony Hopkins (Titus, Magic, Bobby) has had a tendency to chew scenery, but the part of Van Helsing demands the trait.
Acknowledging the films shortcomings it is still an immersive work that contains spectacle and nuanced moments that fang their way into the subconscious.
John Doe was lucky enough to revisit the film on BluRay disc recently and the enhanced sound and picture made for a higher quality screening than was ever seen in cinemas. A fabulous test of the technology that encouraged him to go through all the informative extra features on the disc including, deleted scenes, commentaries and several making-of- features.
Dracula on Blu Ray comes to jdmfilmreviews.com courtesy of Sony Pictures.
For more Sony BluRay DVD’s please visit the official site@ www.sonypictures.comor www.experiencebluray.co.uk/.
The Original Trailer for Bram Stoker's Dracula
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Great review mate, I recently revisited this as well and I'm soon to put together my Horrorphile definitive scary/atmospheric vampire movie list together and this of course features ...
I thought you might mention Sadie Frost, cos she's excellent in this, totally overshadowing Ryder ... I remember Hopkins was criticised for channelling Hannibal Lecter (sniffing Mina, for example) ...
What are the deleted scenes like?
I wish Coppola had stuck to his original hard R-rated cut ... He toned it down for wider accessibility (so less of topless Monica and friends for one)
So you've got yourself a Blu-ray player huh?
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
.........You crack me up JD, always an inspired line or two. Yes, a lavish and memorable film, I'll take a bit of style over substance any day of the week - when it's executed as well as this.
Haven't seen it for years though. Tom Waits should be in more movies.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I love the old school effects in Dracula. The backward mist for example.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I bloody love that line and the movie - Oldman is god in this film and his accent and menace are superb.
Awesome review JD - will have to buy this one on Blu Ray!
Parnassus - hated it
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Sadie does bring it in the film and I did mention her in my first draft which was nearly 2000 words so I decided to focus just on the key cast. You know i could have done 500 words on Bellucci and the Vampire brides alone
Hopkins Lecter style suited this film much more than in Silence of the lambs IMO...you know i think he ruined that film.
The deleted scenes are a mix of new stuff and teh majority are extensions of existing scenes well worth a look...the making of docos are sublime though and can be called "essential" for fans,
On the BluRay thing I have borrowed a friends PS3 so that I can watch them, the picture and sound quality are superior in every way. You really should think about grabbing one.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
the film does have a style over substance factor too it, but i still think the story is outstanding too....just some of that cast really are out of place.
Tom waits is a favourite of mine too, especially in Jim Jaramusch films....in this his eccentricities serve him well.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I still haven't seen Gilliam's latest, but I have been told everything form superb to crap so i will be checking it out.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
This is a film that tends to be skipped when talking Coppolla yet it is one of his most accomplished visually...a lot of bold structural choices too. (Though nothing matches The Conversation in that department)
I am another Waits devotee and here he is memorable for more than just being the muso's muso.
i won't rub it in how much better the film looks on bluRay
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Aside from Rivers Edge and My own Private Idaho Keanu Reeves is usually varying degrees of annoying, though like most I enjoy his woh dude persona in Point break. here he is "way out of his element Donny"
The atmosphere driving the story is so dense and complete that when combined with Oldman makes it a great genre pick.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
I must admit though, I have a soft spot for "The Lost Boys."
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Don't we all have a soft spot for The Lost Boys?? That being said the vamp-lite Buffy style threatens to be a deathnail to the genre....
Have you seen "Let the Right One In" yet?? If not putit top of your list.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile