Dracula (1979)

[Akijama]

Dracula Blu-ray

• Digital Copy of Dracula (1979) (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.)
• Includes UltraViolet (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.)
• The Revamping of Dracula
• Feature Commentary with Director John Badham
• Universal Classic Monsters Trailer
• Dracula TV Series Trailer

Source: Universal's Press Site

[anephric]

Oh, for the original colour timing...

[tim_p]

Originally Posted by anephric

Oh, for the original colour timing...

Fat chance - it'll either be the desaturated version or some tealshit.

[AaronJ]

Oh! My dad took me to see this. I was either 10 or 11, I don't remember which month it came out. I was enthralled.

[Todd Tomorrow]

I liked this back then, but I'm not sure how well it has stood the test of time. With his perm and tan Langella looks more like Dracula the tennis coach. I wished there was a recording of the original stage show this was based on, with sets by the great Edward Gorey.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by anephric

Oh, for the original colour timing...

Who needs that when we've got an 'UltraViolet' copy, no doubt advertised with a big ol' banner across the top of the cover art?

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by tim_p

Fat chance - it'll either be the desaturated version or some tealshit.

I'm going to hope that's not true.... maybe... just maybe they used a different print....

[ctyank]

Nice catalog release! It'll make my mom happy. She loved this movie when she saw it in the theater.

And for me I'm entertained to see Frank Langella with hair!!! I also understand that he was a bit of a sex symbol after this came out. Funny.

[Rizor]

Good news. Though I'm hoping for a more colorful transfer as well.

[anephric]

Langella's terrific in this - as I understand it his performance is essentially the same as on Broadway, ie making Dracula into a more magnetic, sympathetic character. Heck, I even like the cheesy as hell Maurice Binder-designed sex scene. John Williams' score being magnificent helps.

[lupinskitten]

YES!!

A friend and I were discussing this film the other day, complaining that Japan gets a Blu Ray release, and we don't. She'll be thrilled to hear about this.

I really, really, really wish it was the full color version -- I've only ever seen the desaturated version -- but I'll take it in HD regardless. It's a TERRIBLE movie, but Langella is fabulous as Dracula. My friend and I love to watch and razz it together -- our jibes are all with an undercurrent of love, though.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by lupinskitten

YES!!

A friend and I were discussing this film the other day, complaining that Japan gets a Blu Ray release, and we don't. She'll be thrilled to hear about this.

I really, really, really wish it was the full color version -- I've only ever seen the desaturated version -- but I'll take it in HD regardless. It's a TERRIBLE movie, but Langella is fabulous as Dracula.

Frank Langella is a good actor period! In: Masters of the Universe, he stole the movie.

[wonkavision]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Frank Langella is a good actor period!

He was so sinister in The Ninth Gate and he didn't even have to say a word.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by wonkavision

He was so sinister in The Ninth Gate and he didn't even have to say a word.

Yes, he sure did.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by lupinskitten

YES!!

A friend and I were discussing this film the other day, complaining that Japan gets a Blu Ray release, and we don't. She'll be thrilled to hear about this.

I really, really, really wish it was the full color version -- I've only ever seen the desaturated version -- but I'll take it in HD regardless. It's a TERRIBLE movie, but Langella is fabulous as Dracula. My friend and I love to watch and razz it together -- our jibes are all with an undercurrent of love, though.

[DMRI2006]

One of my favorite Draculas -- love the John Williams score in particular.

There's a Japanese Blu-Ray of the movie that looks great, with no DNR in sight -- but sadly it's still Badham's reworked color. I'd expect this to look the same.

[anephric]

It's not terrible: it certainly has its flaws (a dour Trevor Eve, 70s hair, disco inferno sex scene) but it has some lovely cinematography and British countryside (sadly not Whitby), Olivier doing his best Doootch ak-cent, a rousing score, Donald Pleasance, Langella being thoroughly charismatic and even the odd creepy scene (the wall climb, Mina under the graveyard).

[warrian]

A True grab-bag of a movie with all that's good and bad. Still, day one for me.

[klauswhereareyou]

This movie has many great things going for it, but I feel that the script structure and editing hold it back. The story doesn't seem to flow very well at all...great individual moments shoved in between long stretches of nothing. Still I love the production design, choice of actors, the John Williams score, and some of the deviations from other Dracula films (the end boat scene for example).

[Partyslammer]

I remember seeing this on opening weekend back in the Summer of '79. Not one of my favorite Dracula adaptations (Dracula becomes a kite at the end!) but as noted, there's some great scenes throughout and the photography is generally excellent. I still have the original full screen laserdisc release with the original color timing (although it's grainy as all get-out). Only a couple years ago did I finally see the desaturated version on cable - ugh. I have no doubt this release will be basically the same transfer as the Japanese BD - which I've come close to buying recently.