The centuries old vampire Count Dracula comes to England to seduce his barrister Jonathan Harker's fiancée Mina Murray and inflict havoc in the foreign land.
This version of Dracula is closely based on Bram Stoker's classic novel. Young barrister Jonathan Harker is assigned to a gloomy village in the mists of eastern Europe. He is captured and imprisoned by the undead vampire Dracula, who travels to London, inspired by a photograph of Harker's betrothed, Mina Murray. In Britain, Dracula begins a reign of seduction and terror, draining the life from Mina's closest friend, Lucy Westenra. Lucy's friends gather together to try to drive Dracula away.Written by
Goth <brooks@odie.ee.wits.ac.za>
Interestingly several elements in the film can be seen to derive from Carl Th. Dreyers movie "Vampyr" from 1932. Most noticeably shadows travelling across walls ahead of their characters, the scenes with Miss Lucy ill in bed from her infectious bites and even the characteristic cello line played in the opening, all appear to have been partly inspired by Dreyers film. See more »
Goofs
Soon-to-be puncture wounds are visible when Dracula is about to bite Lucy for the first time. See more »
Quotes
Lucy Westenra:
Come to me, Arthur. Leave these others and come to me. My arms are hungry for you, my darling.
See more »
Alternate Versions
In 1995, a heavily censored version of the film was broadcast on FOX, garnering much criticism from fans and critics alike, not to mention Francis Ford Coppola himself. Some of the more obvious cuts involve:
the character of Renfield is removed entirely
the Brides are wearing rags instead of being topless
the scene when Dracula gives the brides the baby is gone
there are no close ups from Arabian Nights
Lucy's comments about sexuality during her introductory scene are removed
the kiss between Mina and Lucy in the maze is gone
all shots of the Demeter are gone
all shots of Dracula howling as the wolf creature are gone
the shot of Dracula 'raping' Lucy is gone, and in the close up, Lucy's breast is no longer exposed
indeed, Lucy's breasts are seen several times in the uncut film, but in all such cases here, the shot has been altered to remove them and make it look like her clothes aren't actually ripped
the destruction of Lucy's body by Van Helsing is gone
Van Helsing's exorcism of Carfax Abbey is shortened
Mina drinking from Dracula's heart is considerably shortened
when Mina slams the sword through Dracula's chest at the end, the shot of it coming out his back and sticking into the floor is gone.
Exeloume
Written and Performed by Diamanda Galás (as Diamanda Galàs)
Courtesy of Mute Records Limited
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products See more »
This is the best rendition of Dracula ever captured on film. Gary Oldman's dark and sensual personae outshines any other vampire who ever dare put on a cape. To me Gary Oldman is the most talented and underrated actor ever. He becomes who he is playing, however in this role... Dracula became him... Oldman set the bar so high it is untouchable even to Bela Lugosi. Winona Ryder's delicateness suited the role of Mina/Elisabeta nicely and Keanu Reeves played the unsuspecting and naive Jonathan with satisfaction. However the whole movie comes together because of Gary Oldman's intoxicating essence. He draws the viewers into his darkness and passion and guides them through until the end. This film is drastically romantic and hauntingly captivating- just like a real Dracula movie should be. The cinematography deserved Oldman's phenomenal performance and perfectly created a true vampire realm. Francis Ford Coppola is brilliant. This is the spirit of the vampire.
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This is the best rendition of Dracula ever captured on film. Gary Oldman's dark and sensual personae outshines any other vampire who ever dare put on a cape. To me Gary Oldman is the most talented and underrated actor ever. He becomes who he is playing, however in this role... Dracula became him... Oldman set the bar so high it is untouchable even to Bela Lugosi. Winona Ryder's delicateness suited the role of Mina/Elisabeta nicely and Keanu Reeves played the unsuspecting and naive Jonathan with satisfaction. However the whole movie comes together because of Gary Oldman's intoxicating essence. He draws the viewers into his darkness and passion and guides them through until the end. This film is drastically romantic and hauntingly captivating- just like a real Dracula movie should be. The cinematography deserved Oldman's phenomenal performance and perfectly created a true vampire realm. Francis Ford Coppola is brilliant. This is the spirit of the vampire.