Horror of Dracula (Dracula 1958)

[Joppers]

Originally Posted by jacksparrow900

This was posted on facebook

This is not just cleaned up. This is a RESTORATION of both the discovered and restored footage from the U.K. release, which needed a bit more work done.

AND..of the originally intended colour scheme that the BFI(!) decided to alter(!).

This is well worth getting, imo.

That post was made by someone who hasn't seen Warner's new master! Pure speculation.

[WaverBoy]

Will this release contain:

1. The additional footage from the Japanese print which was restored to the U.K. Blu?
2. The additional shot of Dracula's sad face from the climactic scene which is missing from the U.K. Blu but which German label Anolis restored to their Blu release?

Right now, the Anolis Blu is the most complete version of the film, and if the sadly barebones WAC release turns out to be less complete than the Anolis release, I'll pass, warmer palette or no. The color grading of the U.K. and Anolis releases isn't ideal, but that isn't a deal-breaker for me if it's still the most complete version. If the WAC release has the original warmer palette AND is as complete as the Anolis release, then I'll definitely be picking it up and will hold onto the other Blus for the extras.

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by brasil

It will awesome if WAC is actually closer to what we think is the brighter original version. And still, I'll never give up my Anolis version with that extra second of Dracula's face agonizing in his death throes.

I won't either. That shot is brutal and vital IMO.

[cck]

I've lurked here for quite some time and JohnCarpenterFan has proven himself again and again to be a voice of sanity. I think you should listen to him.

[happydood]

I'm all over this new release and keeping the Lionsgate for the extras. This is a favorite so I'm willing to give WAC the benefit of the doubt. You guys claiming this will be inherently flawed and that WAC 'should be ashamed of themselves' for the 'baked-in blanket blue tint' should absolutely sit back and fold your arms and scowl and not buy it.

[SMOOT]

Originally Posted by happydood

I'm all over this new release and keeping the Lionsgate for the extras. This is a favorite so I'm willing to give WAC the benefit of the doubt. You guys claiming this will be inherently flawed and that WAC 'should be ashamed of themselves' for the 'baked-in blanket blue tint' should absolutely sit back and fold your arms and scowl and not buy it.

Agreed,
Extras would really be nice for such a significant Hammer Film --
Janina Faye (Tania in Dracula aka Horror of Dracula) was at the June Monster Bash in Mars, PA, this year, and she was full of energy and it would be good to include her along with many other extra features . . .

. . .but . . .
as to comments about Warner only working with a baked-in scan or other,
there is no "baked-in" for a proper film scan,
otherwise it is a film-to-tape or other such named transfer (as was common 12 or more years ago with color work made as you transfered) and not a scan --
A good scan should contain all the information possible in as unbiased a form as possible from the source.
Unless a new element or superior scanner is used, there is not really a need for a new scan.
The color work comes after the scan!

If the recent airing (Oct 10) of Horror of Dracula on TCM-HD (of a source they have not aired before) is any indication, this Warner Blu-ray will be very good.

[captainsolo]

If the BFI used source scan was 2k before the awful grading as all the info would indicate then I’m sure WAC found it a good source to utilize.
The posts so far seem to indicate the grading will be correct and the Japanese discovered footage will be included in some form.

My other concern will be if the HoD title card will be maintained along with the theatrical version.

[Akijama]

Amazon PO:

Horror of Dracula Blu-ray

[Mystic]

Originally Posted by Akijama

Amazon PO:

Horror of Dracula Blu-ray

I like the style of the cover art.

[Partyslammer]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

If the BFI used source scan was 2k before the awful grading as all the info would indicate then I’m sure WAC found it a good source to utilize.
The posts so far seem to indicate the grading will be correct and the Japanese discovered footage will be included in some form.

My other concern will be if the HoD title card will be maintained along with the theatrical version.

The description indicates the original UK "Dracula" title will be used, not the US "Horror Of Dracula" title. That was what comprised the 2007 UK BFI restoration that this release is sourced from. Although I much prefer the UK title, especially the elegant text, this is the US release and WAC really should use the US title for authenticity's sake especially as they are calling this "Horror Of Dracula" on the packaging and all listings. It would be a nice touch if WAC included both US and UK openings via seamless branching.



The Japanese footage was *not* part of the BFI restoration and only found in 2011 and edited into a special alternate version of the BFI restoration specifically for the 2013 UK Lionsgate Blu-ray release and later the German Anolis release. The only legitimate cut footage from either the US or UK versions that was restored for the BFI version is a few frames of a shot and additional screaming during Lucy's staking scene and I suspect this is what's being referred to as restored footage.

It is *highly* unlikely any Japanese footage will be included with the WAC release.

[jimqk]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

The description indicates the original UK "Dracula" title will be used, not the US "Horror Of Dracula" title. That was what comprised the 2007 UK BFI restoration that this release is sourced from. Although I much prefer the UK title, especially the elegant text, this is the US release and WAC really should use the US title for authenticity's sake especially as they are calling this "Horror Of Dracula" on the packaging and all listings. It would be a nice touch if WAC included both US and UK openings via seamless branching.

I agree with you about having seamless branching in order to watch the different openings. I hope that is WAC's plan. But if it's not, that's OK, too.

Really hope Curse of Frankenstein is around the corner.

[The Batman Professor]

WB is smart enough to know fans will be looking for the full disintegration scene now that it has surfaced. Monster kids have been waiting for this in a US release since the dawn of home video - my gut says it will be there.

[captainsolo]

I think the easiest solution would be to present the original theatrical release version and a properly extended version with those additional moments properly integrated with a choice of opening title cards.
Since HoD is still used on the packaging as well it should be included.

Chomping at the bit cannot even begin to describe me right now.

[jtsjc1]

Between this and Prince Of Darkness coming its gonna be a good Hammer year!

[bb8977]

Originally Posted by jtsjc1

Between this and Prince Of Darkness coming its gonna be a good Hammer year!

Especially with them both coming out on the same day !

[RalphoR]

Love the look of the UK scan over the US release. Just look at the difference between the sky. Might have to watch my Anolis disc with the Japanese edit tonight.

[Partyslammer]

Originally Posted by jimqk

I agree with you about having seamless branching in order to watch the different openings. I hope that is WAC's plan. But if it's not, that's OK, too.

Really hope Curse of Frankenstein is around the corner.

CoF is supposedly a Go for late 2019 but judging from the interest and hopefully brisk sales of Horror Of Dracula, I wouldn't be surprised if it's officially announced a lot sooner. I'm dying to know how it'll turn out.

And yeah, it wouldn't be a big deal to include seamless branching of the two different title's opening credit scene - it's barely over 2 minutes long and goes into a long fade to black which would be a perfect transition/chapter break and wouldn't eat up much disc space even for a BD25.

[jimqk]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Love the look of the UK scan over the US release. Just look at the difference between the sky. Might have to watch my Anolis disc with the Japanese edit tonight.

I do not own the U.K. or Anolis Blu-rays, but I do own the digital HDX version on Vudu and it looks pretty good, better than the DVD. Been on a big Hammer kick after watching WAC's Satanic Rites of Dracula several times since getting it. Still haven't pulled the trigger on A.D. because I barely ever watched the DVD. But being the completest jackass I am, I'm sure it's only a matter of time. I already own the first release of Prince of Darkness, but it looks like Shout's going to force me to double dip because of the inclusion of the American restored cut. Plus, Prince of Darkness is probably my favorite Hammer Dracula movie. It's just so well made.

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

The Japanese footage was *not* part of the BFI restoration and only found in 2011 and edited into a special alternate version of the BFI restoration specifically for the 2013 UK Lionsgate Blu-ray release and later the German Anolis release. The only legitimate cut footage from either the US or UK versions that was restored for the BFI version is a few frames of a shot and additional screaming during Lucy's staking scene and I suspect this is what's being referred to as restored footage.

It is *highly* unlikely any Japanese footage will be included with the WAC release.

If this turns out to be the case, they will lose out on quite a few sales they would have gotten otherwise. I'm so thankful for Anolis. They've rescued quite a few Hammers by adding back in missing footage and putting them out in their proper AR.

[CinemaScope]

I'd be quite happy without the Japanese shots, they weren't in the film when I saw it at the cinema in the mid & late sixties (tatty but very colourful prints shown in little rerun cinemas), & the fall off in picture quality takes me out of the film.