Horror of Dracula (Dracula 1958)

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by Sy-Klone

In the last two months, I’ve purchased those OOP Popeye DVD Volumes and I’ve imported Horror of Dracula. Today? WAC continues Popeye and brings Horror of Dracula home.

I really think I deserve credit for this.

But I’m super pumped. My favorite screen Dracula? Quite possible!

Ha. I think everyone knew Horror of Dracula was coming, but the Popeye sets is crazy random. Would you mind buying the OOP DVD Nights of Cabiria for us?

Thanks.

[EManT2200]

Originally Posted by Akijama

It's mine, mine I tell 'ya, all mine ! ! ! ! You better believe that this will be DAY ONE ! ! !

[MartinScorsesefan]

Just watched the UK BD of this a few nights ago. It looks quite nice, but I remember there was some controversy surrounding the color timing. It will be interesting to see if this release replicates the look of the UK transfer, or goes for a warmer color palette.

[GrimJester]

They are restoring the original colors:

"This is the UK version titled “DRACULA”, and featuring footage previously restored by the British Film Institute and Hammer Films. Warner Archive’s new release restores the original color palette of the film, using dye-transfer Technicolor prints as reference, and has been meticulously cleaned of film-related damage for a superior presentation"

Still need to keep the Anolis release for extras and also I'm guessing the Anolis will remain the most complete version, warners probably won't restore the seconds missing from the BFI print.

[Partyslammer]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterFan

Will be interesting to see the original colors. What are the odds they will be labeled revisionist for not looking like an incorrect DVD master?

Despite the confusing description, according to the specs, this will be the BFI 2007 restoration right down to the UK "Dracula" title with the revisionist color grading that was used for the UK release. The color grading for the BFI restoration was *not* accurate and in an interview with the techs who worked on the color grading on the UK Blu-ray, mention that some liberties were taken to enhance certain scenes.

I know a lot of people are pumped to see this movie finally getting a US release but honestly, for me anyway this is not great news. For almost a decade there were persistent rumors that Warner Bros was working on a true restoration of this classic film worthy of it's iconic status. That they've apparently decided to pass this off as a bare bones Warner Archive release with a decade old inaccurate master is frankly disappointing after all this time. Perhaps there's just not any better film elements to work with than what was used for the BFI remaster, or WB just didn't want to put any more time and money into the project, who knows? That they won't even bother to include the US title in the opening credits speaks volumes how little they seem to care about getting this movie out on Blu-ray.

If this indeed does turn out to be nothing more than the BFI restoration, I would urge fans of the film (who haven't already done so) who can do multi-region to go for the vastly superior UK Blu-ray release despite the color grading which includes a lot of wonderful extras including the cut Japanese footage. And it's usually available on Amazon UK for around $12 US.

I now expect the same treatment/source for Curse Of Frankenstein which looked pretty rough in it's UK Blu-ray release.

[Kuchita]

Fantastic and about time!!! If people want a Hammer film to start with, this is the one!!

[MartinScorsesefan]

CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN is in dire need of a new transfer. The UK BD looks like a bad DVD.

[GrimJester]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

Despite the confusing description, according to the specs, this will be the BFI 2007 restoration right down to the UK "Dracula" title with the revisionist color grading that was used for the UK release.

Why do you say that? Warners specifically addresses this in the description that they are restoring the original colors.

[Richard--W]

This is good news, and I welcome the release.
BUT I don't trust Warner Home Video to grade and time correctly.
They've made too many flamboyant mistakes in the past.

I had hoped that when WHV got around to releasing this film they
would undertake a new 2K or 4K scan.

I'm buying this but I'm holding onto my problematic Anolis bluray.

[CinemaScope]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

I wish they'd let go of HORROR OF DRACULA and CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, let some
botique label release them, somebody who really cares about them and wants to do it right.

I don't think a botique label would do a better job than Warner, maybe more extras, & I'm not really bothered about them these days & a botique label would probably be region A locked, so I'm happy this is coming from Warner.


"WOW great news! Same master as the uk?"


I hope not. Warner have all the original film elements, & I understand that Warner sent the BFI scans (I think, anyway). I hope we get a bit of colour this time.

[Partyslammer]

Originally Posted by GrimJester

Why do you say that? Warners specifically addresses this in the description that they are restoring the original colors.

HORROR OF DRACULA (1958)
NEW 2018 1080p PRESENTATION SOURCED FROM THE HAMMER/BFI RESTORATION

"This is the UK version titled “DRACULA”, and featuring footage previously restored by the British Film Institute and Hammer Films."
+++++++++++++
"Warner Archive’s new release restores the original color palette of the film, using dye-transfer Technicolor prints as reference, and has been meticulously cleaned of film-related damage for a superior presentation."

This is the description that was originally used for the 2012 UK Blu-ray release.

Like I mentioned, the description is a bit confusing. Hopefully WAC will issue some clarification in the near future. I would be very happy to hear WAC went back to the unmolested restoration and color timed this release truer to the film's original look and that would certainly be a instant buy for me. But if they somehow re-color graded the already "blue" BFI restoration, it's going to look brutal as the BFI restoration + color timing crushed a lot of detail out of some darker scenes.

I just don't think WAC spent the time and money to do this if they are sourcing from the BFI restoration and not even bothering to include the US title.

[GrimJester]

Ah I get it, they are pushing the narrative that the revision BFI made was the "original colors". That is disappointing. Guess I'll be sticking with my Anolis only then.

[DR Herbert West]

Finally.

[JohnCarpenterFan]

[The Batman Professor]

Oy vey, another double dip for me!

Can someone please release LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES?

[DukeTogo84]

Wow. About time. The one that started it all.

[JohnCarpenterFan]

Scary how sheepishly people can buy into this trollish nonsense. If people can't understand what the description means then they should refrain from speculating and posting false information, intentionally or not.

Unfortunately when all those with valuable insight and experience are harrassed off this site, all that's left is rambling, hyperbolic and uninformed crap from people who don't even understand the basic fundamentals of what they're talking about. A true shame.

The WAC release won't have the same color palette as the international disc.

[GrimJester]

Well, if BFI used the same wording back in 2012 I'm inclined Warners just did a copy & paste but we shall see.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by The Batman Professor

Can someone please release LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES?

^ This.

[JohnCarpenterFan]

Originally Posted by GrimJester

Well, if BFI used the same wording back in 2012 I'm inclined Warners just did a copy & paste but we shall see.

They didn't though and now people are going to run with this false narrative which is par for the course around here.