Dracula (1979) (Collector's Edition)

[CinemaScope]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I was just thinking that I've seen more movie versions of the original Bram Stoker story than any other filmed story - 10 in total (Nosferatu '22, Dracula '31, Spanish Version '31, Hammer '58, Count Dracula '70, Dan Curtis '73, Dracula '79, Nosferatu '79, Coppola '92 and Brooks' spoof Dead and Loving It '95)

Yup, I love to see a Blu-ray of, Dracula: Dead and Loving It.

[DenOfEarth]

OH BOY! AT LAST!

A new remastered version of theatrical version and includes the other version too on a 2 disc CE set, i knew Shout would do this.

Enjoyed this since i was a kid seeing it on TV and been one of my fave Dracula films.

[jacksparrow900]

So things can change over the years I asked Scream Factory in 2014 if they would release the color version and they said

Scream Factory: Sorry - We'd like to but we have no new deal with Universal in place at this time. We would ONLY pursue this if we could gain access to the original color timing.

Then in 2016
Scream Factory Sorry no. We pursued it at one point but we dropped it when we learned that we couldn't put out the original "color" version that was seen in theaters originally.

So never say never

[Mooch360]

I watched this recently after reading the book and I thought it was terrible. I liked the Coppola version a lot more. I didn't know there was controversy about the existing disk though.

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by jacksparrow900

So never say never

People who might say "no" at a studio might eventually be replaced by someone who says "yes." Good job by Shout to continue pressing. My guess is thats what happened, and/or John Badham changed his mind. Either way I can't wait to see it!

[oilers73]

Originally Posted by Mooch360

I watched this recently after reading the book and I thought it was terrible. I liked the Coppola version a lot more. I didn't know there was controversy about the existing disk though.

The color scheme was changed by the director years ago, and the new Blu-ray will rectify that by offering both versions. I'm not a fan of this movie, either, but I am a fan of both versions being available (finally).

[Michael24]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I was just thinking that I've seen more movie versions of the original Bram Stoker story than any other filmed story - 10 in total (Nosferatu '22, Dracula '31, Spanish Version '31, Hammer '58, Count Dracula '70, Dan Curtis '73, Dracula '79, Nosferatu '79, Coppola '92 and Brooks' spoof Dead and Loving It '95)

I hadn't realized it until seeing your post, but I think it's the most versions of a single story that I've seen as well. I've seen all of those except for the 1931 Spanish version and 1973 Dan Curtis version, so I've seen eight total.

Runner-up for me would be A Christmas Carol, of which I've seen at least six versions. Seven if you count The Man Who Invented Christmas.

I'm looking forward to revisiting this version, especially with the original color timing, as I've only seen it once but remember enjoying it.

[CinemaScope]

I know we're never satisfied, but I do feel that Universal missed a trick in not redoing the desaturated version. As it is, the colour got turned almost right down on a really old master, resulting in the muddy mess we have, whereas, with the grading tools they have now, they could have done something quite striking with a new scan. Anyway, great news about the full colour version, I hope it's a good job, & will the sound be 5.1?

Not that I'll be buying it, as I'm in the UK & region B, but if all is fine I'm sure a European company will pick it up.

[Vertigo2010]

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

I know we're never satisfied, but I do feel that Universal missed a trick in not redoing the desaturated version. As it is, the colour got turned almost right down on a really old master, resulting in the muddy mess we have, whereas, with the grading tools they have now, they could have done something quite striking with a new scan.

They probably figured that very few people actually want to see another version of a version nobody except Badham wanted to see in the first place.

[bruce holecheck]

Early details for John Badham's DRACULA (1979), coming to Blu this November from Scream Factory.

***DRACULA (1979) (Collector’s Edition) Update***

Throughout history, Dracula has filled the hearts of men with fear and the hearts of women with desire. In this stylish production of Bram Stoker’s classic gothic horror tale, Frank Langella reprises his electrifying, award-winning stage performance as the bloodthirsty Count Dracula as he goes in search of his ultimate bride. Meanwhile, the renowned and relentless vampire hunter, Professor Van Helsing (Sir Laurence Olivier), seeks to end the dark prince’s reign of terror over the citizens of Transylvania. Directed by John Badham (Saturday Night Fever), featuring an all-star cast and a superbly atmospheric score by the great John Williams, DRACULA (1979) is an unforgettable adaption of one of the most enduring horror legends of all time.

Details we have on our release at the moment are as follows:

• National street date for North America (Region A) is November 26th.
• As announced earlier, this is being presented as a 2-Disc Blu-ray Collector’s Edition and will come guaranteed with a slipcover in its first three months of release.
• Includes a new HD transfer of the theatrical version as seen in theaters in 1979 with full color as well as the alternate director-approved version of the film created in 1991 for home video with a muted color palette.
• The newly commissioned artwork you see pictured comes to us from artist Mark Maddox (Dracula: Prince of Darkness). This art will be front-facing and the reverse side of the wrap will feature the original theatrical artwork.
• New and existing extras will be announced on a later date.

Pre-order now directly from us @ https://www.shoutfactory.com/product...roduct_id=7228
The first 500 orders from our site will receive an exclusive limited-edition 18” x 24” rolled poster of the exclusive new illustration.

[Rizor]

I'm down. Would love to see the film with its original colors.

[movieeddie]

Day one for me.Been waiting forever to see it like I did back in 79.Going to love it.

[Aclea]

Shout in new fairly decent artwork not a far too busy ugly collection of disfigured floating heads that tries to cram too much into too small a space shocker.

[Vertigo2010]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Shout in new fairly decent artwork not a far too busy ugly collection of disfigured floating heads that tries to cram too much into too small a space shocker.

The new art from Mark Maddox is really nice. Far better than some of the absolute garbage commissions that they are paying good money for these days. That new Road Games art is total mince.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Shout in new fairly decent artwork not a far too busy ugly collection of disfigured floating heads that tries to cram too much into too small a space shocker.

I know, right? I took one look at that and thought to myself... well that’s not bad. Where is the black background with shocking pink colour scheme that’s a hallmark of these Scream covers?

[Mr. Thomsen]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

This has never been my favourite Dracula, I always thought Langella's look was influenced a bit too much by Tony Manero for my liking, but just looking at the screencaps for the extant release has got me really interested in revisiting this again, particularly for that gothic atmosphere and production design. The fact that they are restoring the proper colour is worthy of praise because that washed-out look hurts my eyes.

I was just thinking that I've seen more movie versions of the original Bram Stoker story than any other filmed story - 10 in total (Nosferatu '22, Dracula '31, Spanish Version '31, Hammer '58, Count Dracula '70, Dan Curtis '73, Dracula '79, Nosferatu '79, Coppola '92 and Brooks' spoof Dead and Loving It '95)

Dracula is the second most filmed fictional character ever, second only to Sherlock Holmes. IIRC we are way past 160 different movies and TV series starring the old count, with yet another one coming out late this year from Netflix and BBC.

I agree on the Tony Manero thing btw. Frank Langella was never my cup of tea. But that said, outside Nosferatu and the remake of that one, this is probably my favorite Dracula adaptation - even surpassing the first Hammer version, which is probably akin to heresy in some people's eyes.

I really, really like the atmosphere and the set designs of the John Badham movie. And that scene, where they meet the reanimated Mina in the mines, is frankly the only time any Dracula movie has sent tingles down my spine.

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by Mooch360

I watched this recently after reading the book and I thought it was terrible. I liked the Coppola version a lot more. I didn't know there was controversy about the existing disk though.

It’s not my favorite version, although I do quite like it. However, next to Coppola’s unbearably miscast misfire it’s the greatest literary adaptation ever filmed.

[WaverBoy]

I’m looking forward to picking this up; haven’t seen it with its original color scheme since TV when I was a kid. Watched my mate’s current Blu with the color pumped up as much as we could via TV settings and it looked a little better; quite enjoyed the film in spite of the transfer.

I think my favorite adaptation of Dracula is the Mercury Theatre radio play from 1938. All you Drac fans that haven’t experienced it need to hunt it down online and give it a listen some dark and stormy night.

[Mose Harper]

People say "Day One!" all the time, and don't really mean it when it comes time to dig into your wallet.

Well, this isn't day one for me, but only because I want to wait for my CC bill cycle to flip in a few days. As soon as it does..."DAY ONE!" (of the new bill cycle).

Nice work by Maddox! Would be great if I'm not too late by then to qualify to get the poster premium, though, as always, I'm also very happy we get the original key art on the reverse.

[MifuneFan]

Cover art is decent, but not much balance in it. It's much too green.