Count Dracula (22 Dec. 1977)

For those familiar with Bram Stoker's novel, this adaptation follows the book quite closely in most respects. Jonathan Harker visits the Count in Transylvania to help him with preparations ... See full summary »

Director:

Philip Saville

Writers:

Gerald Savory (adaptation), Bram Stoker (novel)

Stars:

Louis Jourdan, Frank Finlay, Susan Penhaligon

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Louis Jourdan	...	Count Dracula
Frank Finlay	...	Abraham van Helsing
Susan Penhaligon	...	Lucy Westenra
Judi Bowker	...	Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra
Jack Shepherd	...	Renfield
Mark Burns	...	Dr. John Seward
Bosco Hogan	...	Jonathan Harker
Richard Barnes	...	Quincey P. Holmwood
Ann Queensberry	...	Mrs. Westenra
George Raistrick	...	Bowles
George Malpas	...	Swales
Michael Macowan	...	Mr. Hawkins (as Michael MacOwan)
Susie Hickford	...	Dracula's Bride
Belinda Meuldijk	...	Dracula's Bride
Sue Vanner	...	Dracula's Bride

Storyline

For those familiar with Bram Stoker's novel, this adaptation follows the book quite closely in most respects. Jonathan Harker visits the Count in Transylvania to help him with preparations to move to England. Harker becomes Dracula's prisoner and discovers Dracula's true nature. After Dracula makes his way to England, Harker becomes involved in an effort to track down and destroy the Count, eventually chasing the vampire back to his castle.

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Plot Keywords:

dracula | castle | england | solicitor | transylvania | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Musical

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC Worldwide - Special Interest

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1977 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is notable for being extremely faithful to Bram Stoker's novel, although several liberties were taken, including: The characters of Quincy P. Morris and Arthur Holmwood are combined into a single character named Quincy P. Holmwood; Mina and Lucy are sisters in the film and friends in the novel; Dracula in the novel begins as an old man and becomes younger as he feeds on blood, and in the film this does not happen; Dracula is killed in the film by Van Helsing who drives a stake into his heart, while in the novel he is killed when Jonathan Harker cuts his throat with a knife and, at the same time, Quincey Morris thrusts a knife into his heart.

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Goofs

When Lucy is in her coffin her eye-lids flutter and her face moves.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra: You'll write often?
Jonathan Harker: Every day, Mina, I promise.
Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra: And I promise to study my shorthand so that I shall be able to do your letters when we're married.
Lucy Westenra: Jonathan! Jonathan! Time for you to go.
Jonathan Harker: Yes, of course.

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Crazy Credits

The credits are superimposed over the infamous German woodcuts depicting the crimes of the historical Voivode Vlad Dracula.

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Connections

Version of Dracula (1979)

User Reviews

Best, and Most Faithful, Version of the Story Ever Filmed!

This is, without a doubt, the best and most faithful version of Bram Stoker's novel ever filmed.

Anyone who went to see the 1992 Coppola version and was disappointed at it's failure to live up to its billing as a faithful rendition of the novel, then they should check out this superlative effort by the BBC.

The cast is uniformly excellent. Louis Jourdan gives a tremendous performance as the Count. He brings a subtle menace to the role that few actors have ever been able to do. He has none of Gary Oldman's over-the-top theatrics or bizarre appearance. When Jourdan's Dracula answers the door, he appears as a normal looking man, dressed in black. The signs of something amiss are subtle; not in your face. When Dracula insists on helping Harker with his heavy trunk (which Harker had been forced to drag, due to the weight) he effortlessly picks it up and carries it in and up the stairs. He projects charm and menace in the role. This is also the first version that has his descending down the outside wall of his castle like an insect.

Frank Finlay is also wonderful as Professor Van Helsing. He makes the character a kindly, likeable man, but with an unbreakable determination. He is determined to stop Dracula, but also is genuinely concerned about the welfare of companions in the crusade; as well as any potential victims -i.e.his genuine horror at discovering the vampiric Lucy has attacked a small child. (Compare that to Anthony Hopkins overacting every scene he's in). Bosco Hogan is probably the best actor to play Jonathan Harker. And, Judi Bowker is the perfect Mina. She projects innocence, intelligence and is more than able to handle herself in a rough situation. (She saves Jonathan by shooting one of the Count's bodyguards off his back). Susan Penhaligon is fine as the doomed Lucy. Mark Burns, Jack Shepard and Richard Barnes give very good work as -respectively- Seward, Renfield and Quincy.

The sets are marvellous. The castle looks creepy and authentic (both interiors and exteriors). The homes look like people actually live in them. As an added bonus, there are actually scenes filmed in Whitby.

There are some deviations from the novel (Mina and Lucy are sisters. The character of Arthur and Quincy are merged into one -Quincy Holmwood). However, compared to other adaptions these are very minor. (None of the Mina being a reincarnation of his lost love...None of the whole story being turned into a parlour mystery that never leaves Dr. Seward's living room...etc)

I cannot recommend this film highly enough. If anyone enjoys Dracula films, go check it out. The DVD picture and sound quality are amazing. They also restore a scene cut from TV viewings where Dracula's brides feast on a baby.

This version was shut up in BBC vaults for over 25 years. Now that it's been released I sincerely hope that more people can see it, and it can be accorded it's deserving title as the most faithful and well done version of the novel, ever.