Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary (2002)

A ballet rendition of Bram Stoker's gothic novel DRACULA, presented in a style reminiscent of the silent expressionistic cinema of the early 20th Century. This work employs the subtle and ... See full summary »

Director:

Guy Maddin

Writers:

Bram Stoker (novel), Mark Godden (ballet Dracula)

Stars:

Wei-Qiang Zhang, Tara Birtwhistle, David Moroni

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Wei-Qiang Zhang	...	Dracula (as Zhang Wei-Qiang)
Tara Birtwhistle	...	Lucy Westernra
David Moroni	...	Dr. Van Helsing
CindyMarie Small	...	Mina
Johnny A. Wright	...	Jonathon Harker (as Johnny Wright)
Stephane Leonard	...	Arthur Holmwood
Matthew Johnson	...	Jack Seward
Keir Knight	...	Quincy Morris
Brent Neale	...	Renfield
Stephanie Ballard	...	Mrs. Westernra
Sarah Murphy-Dyson	...	Vampiress / Nun / Maid
Carrie Broda	...	Maid / Nun
Gail Stefanek	...	Maid / Vampiress
Janet Sartore	...	Maid / Nun
Jennifer Welsman	...	Gargoyle / Nun

Storyline

A ballet rendition of Bram Stoker's gothic novel DRACULA, presented in a style reminiscent of the silent expressionistic cinema of the early 20th Century. This work employs the subtle and sometimes bold use of color to emphasize its themes, but mainly is presented in black-and-white, or tinted in monochrome. No spoken dialogue can be heard, and the story of a sinister but intriguing immigrant who preys upon young English women unfolds through dance, pantomime and subtitles.

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Plot Keywords:

dance | dracula | ballet | gothic | based on ballet | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Musical

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Details

Official Sites:

Zeitgeist Films

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 2003 (UK)

Also Known As:

Dracula, pages tirées du journal d'une vierge

Filming Locations:

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 1,600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,784 (USA) (16 May 2003)

Gross:

$39,659 (USA) (6 June 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vonnie Von Helmolt Film, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Dracula Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Strikingly fresh yet familiar

I have been looking forward to this Canadian film ever since I saw Maddin's "The Saddest Music in the World" this summer. I finally found it for rent and was not disappointed. It is supposed to be a movie version of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula." That sounds like something one should avoid at all costs. With Guy Maddin at the helm, it turns out it is a crazily perfect postmodern take on a classic, with a bit of ballet thrown in--and the ballet works! Maddin draws from countless styles and forms from cinema past (it is pretty much silent, and almost all black and white), and pieces them together to make an utterly gorgeous and often witty film. The actual plot adheres to Bram Stoker's novel more so than most movie versions I've seen, with a few clever twists thrown in. It is obvious which parts of the story Maddin adores and finds most intriguing. He devotes around 40 minutes to Lucy's story, and then zips right through Harker's in a couple minutes. Recommended to anyone interested in seeing a horror film that seems radically new yet oddly familiar. My Rating 9/10