Bram Stoker's Dracula on DVD (1992)

A stylish version of the book

ThomasKus from Gloucester [Highly rated reviewer] , 03/06/2004

Unlike many other Dracula films Francis Ford Coppola has gone back to the book to produce a film that is is both atmosperic and stylish. Gary Oldman is superb as Dracula and Anthony Hopkins gives another fine performance as Abraham van Helsing. There is also a notable side role for Tom Waits as Renfield. I am less sure about the choice of Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker who is lacking some depth in his performance.

This film draws heavily on the book as well as the unmissable 1927 silent classic 'Nosferatu - Eine Symphonie des Grauens' by F.W. Murnau. Some modernistic props and costumes are used as well as a number of gory visual effects but the film remains very enjoyable and satisfying throughout. One of its strength is the almost lovable despair portrayed by Gary Oldman that connects the tragic background story of Dracula with his fate of being 'undead'. there is also a strong erotic undercurrent that is well handled by Coppola as a driving force for the story rather than self-satisfying voyerism.

The DVD has some notable extras including a rather good 'making off' featurette and an almost historic trailer for 'DVDs as the future of home video'.

Overall a treat for a good night out.

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Quite impossibly bad

A customer from Birmingham , 05/03/2006

I must be missing something here, as this is easily one of the most shockingly terrible, tear-my-eyes-out-so-I-don't-have-to-see-it, train wreck mess of an excuse for a film that I have ever had the severe misfortune to bear witness to. I am sitting here in my living room literally unable to come to terms with how excerable this 'film'was. How anyone can think this is good is quite beyond me. A few points:

-The look of the film is not 'grandiose' or 'lush', it is crap. The effects are crap, the sets are crap. It's just a royal glut of crapness from start to finish.

-Every cast member excepet Gary Oldman turns in a career-worst performance par excellence.

-Calling it 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' is an excersise bordering on the farcical. This film should be called 'Francis Ford Coppola's unashamed molestation of Dracula, aided and abetted by the most staggeringly inept fake english accents ever comitted to celluloid'

Keanu Reeves' english accent is (deep breath) better, yes BETTER than Dick Van Dyke's horrific cockney abberation from Mary Poppins. This in itself is quite an achievement and almost makes the film worth watching. Actually, no it doesn't.

To sum up, by all that you hold dear do not watch this film. Spend two hours removing your skin with a power-sander then have a salt bath. It will be a less painful experience.

I bid you good day.

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Awesome

A customer from leyland, england , 01/01/2006

brilliant horror with a brilliant cast.

Dark, twisted tale with a few suprises is store.

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Hallucinatory horror

nlight from Derbyshire , 19/12/2004

Forget all those old Hammer horrors, this is the best Dracula ever. The hallucinatory and dreamlike nature of the story is captured as never before and the erotic subtext is brought to the fore. There is some over-acting by the 'Van Helsing' character, but it seems somehow appropriate.

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Ian#127 from STOURBRIDGE , 26/03/2004

I think this is the best Dracula movie ever made. It's story line is the closest to the book than any other that I can think of. The main downside to this is the English accent the Reaves tries to put on, it sounds like an American trying to do a posh English accent!. The Van Helsing portrayal can be a little over the top in places as well.

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Disappointing

A customer from Hampshire , 04/03/2008

This was one of those films that I'd 'always meant to see' but had just not got round to it. Either it was on TV and I'd missed it or I had almost rented it but changed my mind at the last minute … I wish I hadn't bothered! To be honest it's just dull and Reeves' attempt at a British accent is simply terrible!

I've given it 2 stars simply because I appreciate that there are those out there who probably enjoy a 'camped-up' horror film, and if you do, then this is for you. However it really wasn't for me! I was expecting a dark and thoughtful interpretation of the book.

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