Looking for a faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker’s masterpiece, Dracula? Well, it’s a hardy “tough shit” to you, because today we are turning our putrid peepers on John Badham’s 1979 version of that beloved terror tale!
Beginning with Drac-attac’s arrival in jolly ol’ eerie England aboard the doomed ship The Demeter, this version skips that whole “journey to a foreboding castle” bag the yarn usually kicks off with.
Anyhow, frail Mina van Helsing (Jan Francis… and see what I mean about “faithful”?) finds Drac’s (Frank Langella) limp form while calling on her friend Lucy Seward (Kate Nelligan… and again…), who’s pappy Dr. Jack Seward (Donald Pleasence) runs Ye Olde Local Loony Bin located within his stately clifftop mansion.
Now Drac manages to fool everyone with his smooth as silk ways… but before long Mina is dead at the fangs of the that creepy count who strikes while Lucy is gallivanting about with her beau Jonathon (Trevor Eve). This results in Mina’s father Professor Abraham van Helsing (Laurence Olivier… you know, Zeus from Clash of the Titans), who is hip to the ways of the fang bangers.
Will Mina’s death be avenged? I’m not telling, but I will however inform you there is a laser and smoke show sex sesh that answers the ages old question of just what it would be like to fuck within the world’s largest barcode scanner that is also infested with bats. I know the crotch of my pants just got tighter…
Based more on the stage adaptation of Dracula with the “romance knob” cranked to eleven, this particular film is still beautiful, extremely well-acted, and a satisfying viewing experience… in spite of all the (good-natured) shit I gave it above.
Starting with that “beautiful” comment I just made, this film is a Victorian/Gothic thriller lovers wet dream! Filled to the brim with crumbling structures, opulent homes, Draconian institutions, and gorgeous period-clothing this film looks exactly as a Dracula tale should. Also of note, the film is presented both in it’s theatrical color timing as well as a desaturated version preferred by director Badham. Both have their merits, but I love the more sedate and monochromatic scheme that just makes the whole affair seem chilling and ancient… except for when those red-hot laser beam tunnels envelope the screen.
On the acting front, Frank Langella absolutely owns the role of Dracula, and delivers a performance filled with class, passion, and when he has to, pure menace. I’d say this is one to own based on his portrayal alone, but when you have world-class actors such as Olivier and Pleasence backing him up you simply can not go wrong boils n’ ghouls!
Lastly this film contains a score by John Williams. ‘Nuff said!
So the flick is the bat’s… knees… I don’t know; look the shit is tight and outta sight, and so are the extras chucked on this baby! On disc one (each version of the color timing gets it’s own Blu) we get a new introduction to the film and a new interview from Badham, as well as new interviews with screenwriter W.D. Richter (who also penned the ’78 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and the indisputable classic Big Trouble in Little China, as well as directing another of my fav flicks; The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension), editor John Bloom, assistant director Anthony Waye, production manager Hugh Harlow, camera assistant Jim Alloway, make-up artist Peter Robb-King, and hair stylist Colin Jamison. Also included is an archival retrospective on the production of the film, and an archival audio commentary featuring Badham that is full of anecdotes from the film’s creation.
Disc two features the original, color saturated theatrical version of the film supplemented by a brand new audio commentary from film historian/filmmaker Constantine Nasr. This is an honest appraisal of the film, and explores many of the themes present in the film, as well as how the picture differs from the Stoker source material. Also featured are that new intro from Badham, the film’s theatrical trailer, an image gallery, and a series of radio spots.
Look cats n’ creeps; this is a great version of Dracula; sure it’s different from the source material… but Langella makes for a killer Drac, and the rest of the production is pure class (and occasionally cheese) as well!
