In Search of Dracula Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of "In Search of Dracula" brings viewers a commendable 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in a 1.37:1 full-frame aspect ratio, sourced from a new 2K master of the film. The scan effectively eliminates egregious print damage, showcasing a naturalistic, stable image that looks better than ever before. The occasional appearance of mild speckling is negligible and does not detract from the viewing experience. The absence of telecine wobble further enhances the overall quality, contributing to a generally solid presentation.

Despite some inherent limitations in the source material, such as the muted color palette and less-than-ideal black levels, this transfer remains satisfying. Blacks on screen can seem grayish, lacking depth, but considering the film's subject matter, it may not be a significant drawback for viewers. While the detail range and film grain appearance are not uniform due to the utilization of various sources, like silent films and newsreels, the overall result is quite pleasing. Location shots near Vlad's castle and other iconic places of vampire lore exhibit desirable detail levels and image depth. Though reframed from their original aspect ratios to fit the 1.37:1 presentation, these clips maintain their filmic charm.

In summary, the Blu-ray's video presentation is proficient, capturing the essence of "In Search of Dracula" well. While not devoid of minor issues such as a somewhat muted color palate to the blacks, the new 2K master brings substantial improvements in clarity and stability to this celebrated documentary film.

The Blu-ray release of "In Search of Dracula" features a DTS-HD Master Audio mono soundtrack. This lossless audio mix, while lacking the dynamic range and crispness typical of contemporary productions, manages to maintain sufficient clarity, especially for dialogue reproduction which is crucial given Christopher Lee’s narration. The audio remains clear and unmuddied, although it does not reach the high standards of modern soundtracks. With a respectable clarity in the dialogue, it ensures that Lee's iconic baritone voice is consistently well-represented.

While the mono track significantly highlights the narration, it does possess its share of technical imperfections, including some degree of hiss, crackle, thumps, and occasional wobble, typically within the musical components. The sound effects, regrettably, lack both depth and dimension, contributing to an overall lack of dynamism. Additionally, the substitution of familiar music cues from external sources such as Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind's score for "The Shining" can be a bit distracting and may momentarily pull viewers out of the immersion. Despite these shortcomings, the overall listening experience remains serviceable with a certain degree of historical charm attributed to its vintage nature.

Optional English subtitles are provided, which can help mitigate any potential audio imperfections for those seeking clarity. While perhaps not meeting the audiophile standards expected by today's most discerning listeners, the audio track on this release adequately supports the documentary's primary focus – Lee’s narration and atmospheric music – and stands as a decent representation of the material’s historical production context.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "In Search of Dracula" offer a thoughtful and enriching experience for fans and historians alike. The standout feature is the engaging audio commentary by Lee Gambin and John Harrison, who bring an enthusiastic yet scholarly perspective to the film. Their analysis covers the film's intricacies, historical tidbits, and comparisons to the source material, providing additional layers of understanding and appreciation. This disc also includes a selection of trailers that showcase other genre releases from Kino Lorber, giving viewers a glimpse into related cinematic works.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary featuring Lee Gambin and John Harrison: Detailed insights into the film's production, historical aspects, and source material comparisons.
• Trailers: Includes previews for "The Crimson Cult," "The Oblong Box," "Scream and Scream Again," "Arabian Adventure," and "House of the Long Shadows."

"In Search of Dracula" is an intriguing documentary that dissects the legend of the iconic vampire through a multifaceted approach, blending historical context with cinematic homage. Narrated by the legendary Christopher Lee, known for his numerous portrayals of Dracula, this film offers an extensive exploration into the roots of vampirism and the real-life inspirations behind Bram Stoker's infamous character. Based on the book by Radu Florescu and Raymond McNally, the documentary traverses diverse topics ranging from blood-related diseases to infamous historical figures such as Vlad Tepes and Peter Kürten. Though it occasionally veers towards feeling like an educational video, it remains a valuable resource for vampire enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Visually, the film excels through the combined efforts of cinematographers Anders Bodin, Tony Forsberg, and Gunnar Larsson. The eerie and dark visuals aptly complement the gothic and mysterious nature of Dracula, ensuring viewers are visually engaged even when other elements falter. Unfortunately, the screenplay by Yvonne Floyd falls short in maintaining consistent interest, presenting occasional sequences with scantily clad women that do little to elucidate the Dracula legend. Director Calvin Floyd adopts a straightforward, almost academic approach, which might feel overly rigid and monotonous for some viewers. The documentary's reliance on showcasing Christopher Lee's portrayals can feel redundant, despite Lee's undeniable charisma and historical significance to the Dracula mythos.

While "In Search of Dracula" could be critiqued for its moments of mockumentary-like execution and lackluster scripting, its strength lies in surface-level historical scrutiny and captivating visuals. Christopher Lee’s narration remains a highlight, adding gravitas to the explorative narrative. This documentary serves as both an informative dive into Dracula's vast lore and a nostalgic tribute to one of horror cinema’s most enduring characters. Despite its flaws, it offers ample material for both novice and dedicated fans of vampire lore to sink their teeth into.

"In Search of Dracula" is a uniquely compelling yet divisive documentary that endeavors to explore the origins and evolution of one of the most iconic figures in horror lore. Despite the intriguing subject matter, director Calvin Floyd's serious tone clashes somewhat with the film’s occasionally campy execution, often teetering on the edge of a mockumentary. The documentary provides a thorough, albeit methodical, examination of Dracula’s mythos, from historical facts to fictional portrayals, particularly highlighting Christopher Lee’s rendition of the sun-adverse vampire.

Technical aspects of the Blu-ray release by Kino Lorber are commendable. The video presentation is competent, though not exceptional, and the audio lacks dynamism but remains adequate. A key highlight is the included audio commentary which enriches the viewing experience with additional insights and depth. While its slow pace and lack of narrative drive might not appeal to all viewers, dedicated fans of the horror genre and Dracula enthusiasts will likely find value in the documentary's rich content.

While the thought of a Dracula documentary exploring the roots of one of the most iconic figures in pop culture lexicon sounds outstanding, the results are far less successful: director Calvin Floyd is misguided in thinking that a serious approach works well with B-movie material (and the film is something that borders on mockumentary). In Search of Dracula feels overly-serious for a film fundamentally rooted in a blood-sucking vampire. (Or conversely, perhaps it simply isn't serious enough to handle the material to the best of its abilities). The documentary is underwhelming and doesn't add much to the conversation. On the bright side, the Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber is respectable and has decent video-audio and an audio commentary track for those interested. For fans only.