Horror of Dracula (Dracula 1958)

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by SMOOT

I think you get me wrong on the Warner DVD (2002) looks more correct --
Not what I’m saying at all.
Just saying that the 1964 Technicolor 35mm print from the Warner theatrical re-release(s) looks more like the old Warner DVD.

The 1958 Universal Pictures Technicolor 35mm print looks much better.
The 1958 Universal prints and the 1964 Warner prints are different animals.

We should all want something much more like the 1958 Technicolor prints from Universal Pictures.
Unfortunately, we do not have such.

Glad you clarified this point.

I saw the Seven-Arts double feature at least a dozen times in the NYC area
during the late 1960s and 1970s. Both films always had the Universal-
International logo. There was one print of HORROR OF DRACULA that jumped
during the opening titles. The logo and title were missing from that particular
print, and I remember seeing it a couple of years apart. But other prints I saw
did have the Universal logo. I don't believe I ever saw HORROR OF DRACULA
screened without it. Could Seven-Arts have been distributing some Universal-
International prints as well their own new prints?

On another matter, a kind of red fog or smoke swirled in waves behind THE
CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN titles. It was a distinct temperature of blood-red.
On the blu-rays it's just a red wash.

I'd pay dearly to see those IB Tech prints again. They were beautiful. The
DVD's and blu-rays don't even come close.

[happydood]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

Glad you clarified this point.

I saw the Seven-Arts double feature at least a dozen times in the NYC area
during the late 1960s and 1970s. Both films always had the Universal-
International logo. There was one print of HORROR OF DRACULA that jumped
during the opening titles. The logo and title were missing from that particular
print, and I remember seeing it a couple of years apart. But other prints I saw
did have the Universal logo. I don't believe I ever saw HORROR OF DRACULA
screened without it. Could Seven-Arts have been distributing some Universal-
International prints as well their own new prints?

On another matter, a kind red fog or smoke swirled in waves behind THE
CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN titles. It was a distinct temperature of blood-red.
On the blu-rays it's just a red wash.

I'd pay dearly to see those IB Tech prints again. They were beautiful. The
DVD's and blu-rays don't even come close.

I can see the red swirl on Curse on the Lionsgate blu, though it's not an optimal disc. Come to think of it, I remember years ago when I got my first HDTV I could see it on the old WB DVD and marveled that I had never notice it before. Not to take away from what you're saying because I'm sure those prints were amazing to behold.

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by happydood

I can see the red swirl on Curse on the Lionsgate blu, though it's not an optimal disc. Come to think of it, I remember years ago when I got my first HDTV I could see it on the old WB DVD and marveled that I had never notice it before. Not to take away from what you're saying because I'm sure those prints were amazing to behold.

In the IB tech prints the opening titles are in deep focus, with layers upon
layers of blood-red fog or smoke swirling behind the font. The home videos
don't have this dimensionality.

[The Fallen Deity]

The transfer on the Warner BD would be perfect if the blacks weren't crushed to s**t.

[SMOOT]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

The transfer on the Warner BD would be perfect if the blacks weren't crushed to s**t.

I think it would look pretty good if the blacks were not so horribly crushed,
but I think the film needs a new scan.
Warner worked with a very old scan. The state-of-the-art has moved on.

[jwp7d]

So is the consensus that the WB Blu-ray looks and sounds the best of the available Blu-rays for the theatrical cut (even with the black crush)?

Is the WB DVD better?

Also which Blu-ray is best for the extended version(s), in terms of containing the most footage?

[cannon1]

Originally Posted by jwp7d

So is the consensus that the WB Blu-ray looks and sounds the best of the available Blu-rays for the theatrical cut (even with the black crush)?

Is the WB DVD better?

Also which Blu-ray is best for the extended version(s), in terms of containing the most footage?

I prefer the WB myself, black crush and all. The color pallet, and it's sharper to my eyes. The Anolis is supposed to have the edge on the extended footage, but it's a pricey beast these days.

[oddbox83]

Those who prefer the DVD transfer have the option of the German Studio Hamburg Blu which uses it. https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=12852&d2=12851&c=5033

[jwp7d]

It looks like the newer German Blu-ray only has German audio, which is unfortunate as it is obviously a better encode of the WB DVD.

I will be sticking with the WB DVD, and probably get the UK Blu for some of the extended footage since the old German Blu is so expensive.

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Those who prefer the DVD transfer have the option of the German Studio Hamburg Blu which uses it. https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=12852&d2=12851&c=5033

The incorrect aspect ratio is a deal breaker for me.

[RalphoR]

Would love to get this masterpiece with all the scenes edited in on a uhd disc. Pipe dream but you never know.

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Would love to get this masterpiece with all the scenes edited in on a uhd disc. Pipe dream but you never know.

And with a new transfer that has the correct colour timing.

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

And with a new transfer that has the correct colour timing.

[Show spoiler]

Maybe Powerhouse/Indicator will distribute a new Hammer 4k line. That would be sweet!

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

[/SPOILER]

Maybe Powerhouse/Indicator will distribute a new Hammer 4k line. That would be sweet!

That would be great.

[jwp7d]

Even though it is slightly cropped and slightly too bright, my hunch (having never seen an original 1958 print) is that the WB DVD is most faithful to the original intended color scheme. It looks similar to other films from the same time period.

While the WB Blu-ray is definitely an improvement over the UK and German Blu-rays (notwithstanding the additional footage those discs include), the black crush and lack of vibrant color somehow doesn't look right to me.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film4/blu-r...la_blu-ray.htm

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe...of_dracula.htm

[SMOOT]

Originally Posted by jwp7d

Even though it is slightly cropped and slightly too bright, my hunch (having never seen an original 1958 print) is that the WB DVD is most faithful to the original intended color scheme. It looks similar to other films from the same time period.

The Warner Brothers (WB) DVD of "Horror of Dracula" looks much like the 1964 Technicolor 35mm print (that I have seen twice, most recently in Jan of 2020).
It does not look like the 1958 Technicolor 35mm print (which I saw in January of 2020 and I prefer as it looks pretty much like what I remember as a child seeing it theatrically).

I just received (today, Aug 6) the German “Dracula” Blu-ray by Studio Hamburg that was released Sept 27, 2019. I recently became aware of this disc from discussion on the Monster Kid aka The Classic Horror Film Board --

This German Blu-ray has two versions of the film:
The Warner Brothers older HD 1080P transfer of “Horror of Dracula”
and
the BFI “restoration” (titled “Dracula”) with addition of a few shots of the Japanese print footage included in the presentation.

I found the best price on Amazon.co.UK (as the German site was expensive to ship).

The “Horror of Dracula” titled version on this Blu-ray disc looks better (sharper and cleaner) than the old Warner Brothers DVD and has more head room (despite being 1.78 aspect ratio) than the overcropped DVD.
The “Dracula" titled version is the BFI (1.66 aspect ratio) with the alternate blue-ish color scheme (and slightly softer looking focus).

I need to thank the member of the Monster Kid Classic Horror Film Board for bringing this Studio Hamburg Enterprises German Blu-ray disc to my attention. I agree with him that this (the “Horror of Dracula” version) is the best we have available for the film in home entertainment physical media at this time.

While I think Warner Brothers USA Blu-ray has the best color, the black crush is so oppressive on that disc that I pretty much find it unwatchable.

As to the BFI Version, I have never heard of anyone saying that they saw any 35mm print of the 1958 classic that looked like the BFI “restored" version.

While we do not have what anyone could call a "definitive version" of this film available,
I will say that (for now) this German disc has the image that I will watch until we do (if ever) have something closer to the 1958 Technicolor look.

The German Blu-ray of “Horror of Dracula” is imperfect, but better than anything else for now.

[SMOOT]

Also, the German Studio Hamburg Enterprises Blu-ray disc is Region Free and will play in any USA Blu-ray player.
Language options are both German and English.

Also, I see that the shipping cost has dramatically increased on the Amazon.co.UK site, so one might want to check and re-check other options to get the disc. Guess I ordered (July 23) at the right time to get cheap shipping.

[cannon1]

Originally Posted by SMOOT

Also, the German Studio Hamburg Enterprises Blu-ray disc is Region Free and will play in any USA Blu-ray player.
Language options are both German and English.

Also, I see that the shipping cost has dramatically increased on the Amazon.co.UK site, so one might want to check and re-check other options to get the disc. Guess I ordered (July 23) at the right time to get cheap shipping.

Thanks for the info on this disc..had no idea about it. I see what you mean on the Amazon UK shipping...more than the disc, 'amazon global priority', like Ebay's 'Global priority shipping'. It contradicts Amazon's state shipping rates for Discs shipping internationally...would prefer to have the standard royal mail for this triple dip

[cannon1]

I was able to find it within the US Amazon site sold by 'Amazon Global Store UK', at the more expected shipping charges, though with sales tax? umm, OK.

[AJAX]

Are you sure the Studio Hamburg blu ray is region free? It stated region b on Amazon. Is this the preferred edition of this film (compared to WAC)?