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All rights reserved.Bram Stoker's Dracula (DVD)
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Average at bestReview created: 17/08/08
by:
Poor SFX
Poor acting with the exception of Gary Oldman who played the part of Dracula wonderfully.
Poor referance to the original story even though claiming to be 'Bram Stokers Dracula'.
Poor acting with the exception of Gary Oldman who played the part of Dracula wonderfully.
Poor referance to the original story even though claiming to be 'Bram Stokers Dracula'.
Review ID: 10000000008374005
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An Opulent MasterpieceReview created: 27/04/08
by:
Bram Stoker's Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola is a wonderful film. It is filled with beautiful sets, exquisite costumes, excellent make-up effects and brilliantly melodramatic performances.
Gary Oldman stars as the Count, a man who sold his soul to Satan after his wife, Elisabeta, killed herself on receiving false news of his death in battle. He is ultimately made immortal by his Master and years later, meets Jonathan Harker, a younger lawyer who has come to negotiate his buying land in England. It is at this moment that Dracula sees a photograph of Jonathan's betrothed, Mina, who bears a striking resemblance to his own love, Elisabeta. He consequently imprisons Harker and travels to England to wreak havoc and to find the woman he believes to be the reincarnation of his lost wife.
The film remains very faithful to the novel throughout which is refreshing, given the usual Hollywood tendency to "re-imagine" or change the source completely. The performances on the whole are excellent - dodgy accents and Keanu Reeves aside - and are believable in the horrific context of the story, which shocks and seduces in equal measure. Anthony Hopkins' crazed turn as Professor Van Helsing is inspired and Gary Oldman attacks the role of Dracula with great relish and is tremendous in the role.
The film was awarded three Oscars - for Best Costume Design, Best Effects and Best Make-up - and various other accolades, and is easily one of the best films of the 1990s. This film is a must see for any Dracula/vampire fan, any fan of Francis Ford Coppola or anyone who loves a good film.
Gary Oldman stars as the Count, a man who sold his soul to Satan after his wife, Elisabeta, killed herself on receiving false news of his death in battle. He is ultimately made immortal by his Master and years later, meets Jonathan Harker, a younger lawyer who has come to negotiate his buying land in England. It is at this moment that Dracula sees a photograph of Jonathan's betrothed, Mina, who bears a striking resemblance to his own love, Elisabeta. He consequently imprisons Harker and travels to England to wreak havoc and to find the woman he believes to be the reincarnation of his lost wife.
The film remains very faithful to the novel throughout which is refreshing, given the usual Hollywood tendency to "re-imagine" or change the source completely. The performances on the whole are excellent - dodgy accents and Keanu Reeves aside - and are believable in the horrific context of the story, which shocks and seduces in equal measure. Anthony Hopkins' crazed turn as Professor Van Helsing is inspired and Gary Oldman attacks the role of Dracula with great relish and is tremendous in the role.
The film was awarded three Oscars - for Best Costume Design, Best Effects and Best Make-up - and various other accolades, and is easily one of the best films of the 1990s. This film is a must see for any Dracula/vampire fan, any fan of Francis Ford Coppola or anyone who loves a good film.
Review ID: 10000000006868848
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FANTASTICReview created: 08/04/08
by:
greaT FANTASTIC DVD REALLY NEEDED TO SEE ONCE AGAIN FAST TRANSACTION AND GREAT PACKAGING CHEERS DAVE
Review ID: 10000000006597249
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The Blood Is The Life - Bram Stokers DraculaReview created: 02/03/08
by:
For a massive fan of the late 60's and 70's horror icons Chris Lee and Peter Cushing, it was never going to be easy to convince me that there was ever going to be another film based on Bram Stoker's classic 1897 tale, that was ever going to be worth more than a mere glance... That was until I watched this brooding, dramatic and provocative version by the wonderful Francis Ford Coppola.
The deeply erotic love story follows the truly tortured journey of the enigmatic and charismatic Gary Oldman, as the Transylvanian Prince, as he travels from his home in Eastern Europe to 19th Century London... In search of his hunger, his heart, his love, his desire - His very humanity.
I don't think that there are many that could have portrayed this tortured soul with so much depth and passion as Mr Oldman. He truly is a Prince, and an actor unlike no other. Indeed, the cast are all incredibly unique in their own way. Tom Waits is simply superb as the wretched Renfield, his mind diseased, his soul damned... Forever waiting in his cell for The Master to come to give him Eternal Life. Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing and Winona Ryder as Mina were both equally superb. Not forgetting Sadie Frost as the hapless Lucy who feeds Dracula while he waits for his opportunity to seduce Madame Mina. I guess it is only Keanu Reeves that takes some believing... Not least for his accent and delivery. But after awhile, it doesn't seem to matter, because this wonderfully dramatic and gothic spectacle is far greater than the performance of any one of the cast.
However, Gary oldman simply is fantastic, and my ex-girlfriend, who not only loves this movie but loves Mr Oldman far more, would never forgive me for not mentioning just how good he really is! And the real beauty of this 2 disc and long awaited Special Edition is the chance to view over half an hours worth of deleted scenes - Some of which make you wonder why they were never in the Theatrical Cut in the first place! Some extras really aren't worth watching but these are worth the price of the dvd all on their own!
There are interviews with all of the cast, and also some wonderful early rehearsals where you are able to see the 2 massive personalities of Oldman and Coppola clashing... Both believing that they know best... Both a slave to their own individual craft, and neither willing to capitulate and concede that the other may be right!
There are documentaries on the lavish costumes and the visual effects but it is the deleted scenes on the 2nd disc that are most memorable.
Francis Ford Coppola really does bring style and beauty to this presentation, which has seen numerous screen versions, but none quite like this one, in my opinion! The depth of human emotion makes the viewer almost love the Count and truly feel his pain - A man that has lost his humanity and in search of his one true love, taking us all on a journey of damnation and redemption.
This is a real must see - An erotic, passionate and visually stunning version of the classic Dracula legend - A chronicle of romance and sacrifice...
As Oldman says to Mina in what has to the most poignant, tender and heart-breakingly moving scene..." You will be cursed as I am to walk in the shadow of death... I love you too much to condemn you..."
To which she replies... "Take me away from all this death"! (And he does!)
And in the end you have to agree - The Blood Is The Life... The Blood IS The Life!
Rick - For Sally x
The deeply erotic love story follows the truly tortured journey of the enigmatic and charismatic Gary Oldman, as the Transylvanian Prince, as he travels from his home in Eastern Europe to 19th Century London... In search of his hunger, his heart, his love, his desire - His very humanity.
I don't think that there are many that could have portrayed this tortured soul with so much depth and passion as Mr Oldman. He truly is a Prince, and an actor unlike no other. Indeed, the cast are all incredibly unique in their own way. Tom Waits is simply superb as the wretched Renfield, his mind diseased, his soul damned... Forever waiting in his cell for The Master to come to give him Eternal Life. Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing and Winona Ryder as Mina were both equally superb. Not forgetting Sadie Frost as the hapless Lucy who feeds Dracula while he waits for his opportunity to seduce Madame Mina. I guess it is only Keanu Reeves that takes some believing... Not least for his accent and delivery. But after awhile, it doesn't seem to matter, because this wonderfully dramatic and gothic spectacle is far greater than the performance of any one of the cast.
However, Gary oldman simply is fantastic, and my ex-girlfriend, who not only loves this movie but loves Mr Oldman far more, would never forgive me for not mentioning just how good he really is! And the real beauty of this 2 disc and long awaited Special Edition is the chance to view over half an hours worth of deleted scenes - Some of which make you wonder why they were never in the Theatrical Cut in the first place! Some extras really aren't worth watching but these are worth the price of the dvd all on their own!
There are interviews with all of the cast, and also some wonderful early rehearsals where you are able to see the 2 massive personalities of Oldman and Coppola clashing... Both believing that they know best... Both a slave to their own individual craft, and neither willing to capitulate and concede that the other may be right!
There are documentaries on the lavish costumes and the visual effects but it is the deleted scenes on the 2nd disc that are most memorable.
Francis Ford Coppola really does bring style and beauty to this presentation, which has seen numerous screen versions, but none quite like this one, in my opinion! The depth of human emotion makes the viewer almost love the Count and truly feel his pain - A man that has lost his humanity and in search of his one true love, taking us all on a journey of damnation and redemption.
This is a real must see - An erotic, passionate and visually stunning version of the classic Dracula legend - A chronicle of romance and sacrifice...
As Oldman says to Mina in what has to the most poignant, tender and heart-breakingly moving scene..." You will be cursed as I am to walk in the shadow of death... I love you too much to condemn you..."
To which she replies... "Take me away from all this death"! (And he does!)
And in the end you have to agree - The Blood Is The Life... The Blood IS The Life!
Rick - For Sally x
Review ID: 10000000005880941
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