joefilmone Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I took a look at this Hammer classic on DVD- Sangster's screenplay may be a very loose adaption of the novel but this may still be the best "Dracula " movie. Peter Cushing is a very rational scientific Van Helsing. Lee is terrifying Dracula ( and the woman can't wait for him to bite them!) Fisher out did himself in directing the exciting climax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrinceSaliano Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 My favorite Dracula film is DRACULA (1931). HORROR OF DRACULA is definitely one of the best Hammers, but I always preferred BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scsu1975 Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I think Lee was the best Dracula of all. He exuded evil and sex appeal at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwalker Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 > {quote:title=PrinceSaliano wrote:}{quote} > My favorite Dracula film is DRACULA (1931). HORROR OF DRACULA is definitely one of the best Hammers, but I always preferred BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960). I agree with you, Prince. HORROR OF DRACULA is good, although it plays fast and loose with the characters in the book, rearranging them or, in the case of Renfield, eliminating them altogether. But for atmosphere, pace, and what is arguably Peter Cushing's finest turn as Professor van Helsing, it's BRIDES OF DRACULA all the way. And, what a doozy of a climax! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joefilmone Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 The women are obviously turned on by Lee's terrifyingly sexy interpretation of "Dracula". They are not just passive victims they seem to crave his fangs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyDan Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 When you spoke of "the best Dracula movie" I thought you meant, "...the best of the movies that stick to Stoker's story," however loosely. And I would probably agree, but I'd like to see Coppola's version again. I saw it when it opened, and I remember being impressed for the most part, though the score failed to accentuate for me the more dramatic elements. And *Brides of Dracula* is a favorite of mine, too. It sure put the lie to all that sugar and spice talk I was hearing at the time. A valuable lesson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrinceSaliano Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 The most faithful version is the BBC's COUNT DRACULA starring Louis Jourdan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyDan Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Somebody mentioned that to me before. Probably you. I'll have to hunt that one down. I definitely think the Count should be a seductive ladies man type, like Christoher Lee, as opposed to the freakish and bloodless old coot-with-a-nasty habit type. Jourdan? I wouldn't of thought of him for the part, but why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joefilmone Posted April 2, 2008 Author Share Posted April 2, 2008 Jourdan was creepily effective as the Count. That was a very faithful scary television adaptation of the Stoker's novel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrinceSaliano Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Bela Lugosi is my all-time favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William735 Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 I don't think anyone has done the "best" version of Dracula yet. However the BBC version with Louis Jourdan was the closest adaptation so far to Stoker's novel. There were a few scenes that I think should have been added (like the mother of the baby that Dracula handed over to his three vampire "wives" pleading to the Count to return her baby to her and then being attacked by wolves.) Also I couldn't help but think that Max Von Sydow would have made a better Count Dracula than Jourdan, wearing the mustache that Dracula was described as having in the novel. Also it would have looked better had they filmed the whole production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joefilmone Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 "Dracula" is such a rich work of literature that there will always be new adaptations some more faithful than others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sezne Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 gee i guess i'm the only one thats likes francis lederer in "curse of dracula" (1958) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scsu1975 Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 No, you're not the only one. Lederer was very good as a vampire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwalker Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 That picture and Lederer's performance get a thumbs-up from me, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 You're not; I did an extensive review of the film and praised Lederer's performance in THE RETURN OF DRACULA. Message was edited by: Bronxgirl48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bargar Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I am such a huge fan of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Especially Cushing who was so versatile. I was delighted when he appeared in "Star Wars". The Hammer films were unsurpassed. A few months ago, I saw "Bram Stoker's Dracula" starring Gary Oldman (1992). I was so impacted by the lush production, but I couldn't decide if I could endure it. It was beautifully filmed but very gory. I am used to tamer versions I suppose. Gary Oldman won an Oscar for his portrayal. I watched it because it was directed by Francis F. Copolla and also starred Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing. I would be interested in other opinions if you have seen this version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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