Dracula Blu-ray Review

Universal's region-free US release of "Dracula," presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and encoded via AVC, delivers a contentious viewing experience, accentuated by director John Badham’s deliberate color timing alterations from the original. Badham's revision aimed to emulate the black-and-white gothic milieu of classic Universal Horror films, rendering a muted, wan color palette that significantly diverges from the more vibrant, colorful aesthetic initially intended. While some viewers find this drained coloration disconcerting and yearn for the original hues, others respect Badham's creative decision. The subdued coloring does elevate Gilbert Taylor’s cinematography, emphasizing a damp, eerily realistic English gloom.

The high-definition transfer meticulously preserves Taylor’s incredible camerawork despite the reduced coloration. Grain is consistent and unobtrusive, enhancing the film's texture without noticeable digital tinkering aside from minor edge enhancement. While certain scenes—such as an early shot of Lucy in a graveyard—suffer from murkiness and less distinction, overall image clarity and fluidity remain impressive. Details are sharply defined, particularly in Dr. Seward’s asylum and the gothic monstrosity of Carfax Abbey, with sets and props benefitting from enhanced dimensionality. Facial details and makeup effects appear more refined, and Albert Whitlock’s matte paintings are seamlessly integrated.

However, the altered contrast poses challenges with its muted palette, sometimes causing pale faces to blend into their surroundings. The pervasive greys and browns may seem artificial or altered, potentially upsetting purists. Blacks are generally deep but may experience crushing, though this is subjective. Despite these qualms, the increased definition boosts overall dimensionality, offering substantial visual gains over prior DVD releases. Ultimately, though controversial in its color timing, the Blu-ray presentation of "Dracula" remains a testament to the film's gothic allure and cinematic craftsmanship.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio track for "Dracula" brings to life the eerie atmosphere and dialogue with admirable clarity. Although not as grandiose as the film's imagery, the audio track is free from errors. Dialogue is crisp and clear, managing to handle the varied inflections and accents of the characters with ease. The bustling scenes, such as the townsfolk at the shipwreck, are well-detailed, with Northerner accents mingling with environmental sounds like waves and seagulls. The sound effects for storms, shattering windows, gunshots, and galloping hooves provide adequate momentum and presence, even if they don't rival modern mixes. While some effects, like the howling wolves, may seem understated, key sounds, including Dracula's climb down the wall, come through with increased detail and fidelity.

The defining attribute of the audio presentation is John Williams' majestic score. The music elevates the entire film, offering a rich orchestral might that underscores the mystery, dread, and romance inherent in the narrative. Each piece of the score is rendered with precision, benefiting greatly from the transfer's excellent separation, wide stereo width, and clean instrumentation. This audio mix surpasses older recordings, breathing new life into Williams' timeless composition. Despite not being especially spectacular or audacious in its overall sound design, this track delivers essential atmospheric elements that enhance the spine-chilling experience of the movie.

The Blu-ray extras for "Dracula" offer valuable insights and retrospectives, though there are no new additions to this release. Director John Badham's solo commentary is engaging and informative, revealing technical secrets and personal anecdotes about the production and cast. The 39-minute documentary, "The Revamping of Dracula," provides a detailed and candid look at the film's making, featuring interviews with Frank Langella, Badham, and W.D. Richter, and exploring aspects such as Langella’s conscious choice to avoid fangs and the health challenges faced by co-star Olivier. The extras round out with a selection of promotional trailers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Director John Badham: Background info and technical insights.
• The Revamping of Dracula: Retrospective documentary with cast and crew interviews.
• Trailers: Various promotional trailers.

John Badham’s 1979 film adaptation of "Dracula" masterfully translates its acclaimed Broadway predecessor into a richly cinematic experience. Featuring Frank Langella reprising his stage role, the film breathes intense character into the legendary vampire lord, whose tantalizing combination of elegance and danger pierces the staid English social veneer. Langella’s commanding performance fills the extravagantly designed sets and atmospheric locales with riveting presence, while avoiding some of the more conventional horror elements often expected from Dracula adaptations. The film, however, isn’t bereft of chilling moments and maintains an enveloping sense of gothic eeriness, accentuated by John Williams’ compelling score and Gilbert Taylor’s mesmerizing cinematography.

While Laurence Olivier faces some criticism for his portrayal of Van Helsing, his performance effectively unravels the complexities of the villain, balancing well against Trevor Eve’s amusing take on Jonathan Harker. Kate Nelligan and Jan Francis provide enchanting portrayals as Lucy and Mina, grounding the film in emotional authenticity. In contrast, Donald Pleasance delivers a show-stealing performance as Dr. Seward. The film’s stage origins are evident through its reliance on dialogue-rich, expansive set pieces rather than dynamic action sequences, which might be seen as pacing issues but contribute to its relentless focus on mood and atmosphere.

Badham’s dedication to a visually haunting world is evident in the film’s meticulous set design and costuming. Dracula’s castle, adorned with ominous displays and brooding overtones, offers a perfect backdrop for the Count’s seductive menace. Challenging traditional depictions, Langella’s Dracula is more concerned with seduction than gore—a narrative choice that trades immediate horror for a slow-burn eeriness, underlining his supernatural but strangely human allure. Although the pacing drags and some scenes lack dramatic tension, the film’s commitment to gothic ambiance and practical special effects—mixing vintage techniques with inventive touches—grants moments of awe and immersive horror befitting the enduring legend of Count Dracula.

John Badham’s 1979 rendition of "Dracula" offers a compelling albeit controversial take on the iconic vampire tale. Fronted by Frank Langella's brooding and charismatic Dracula, the film deviates in several intriguing ways from Bram Stoker’s original narrative. Notably, it introduces cinematic elements such as the wall-crawling sequence that effectively captures the surreal creepiness of Stoker’s novel. Despite a few name changes and a pared-down character list, the film stands out for its slow-burn intensity and strong performances from Langella and Kate Nelligan. John Williams' score is hauntingly memorable, perfectly encapsulating the dread and romance of Dracula's world, while the cinematography lends an authentic bleakness to the windswept English locales.

The Blu-ray release of "Dracula" caters primarily to fans who appreciate Badham's vision, featuring the director’s preferred color-tweaked version which has elicited mixed reactions. The drained aesthetic, though controversial, brings a unique artificiality that complements the story's mood and amplifies the stunning visual composition. The technical transfer is generally solid, though minor issues like edge sharpening are evident. Audio quality is exceptional, delivering Williams' marvellous music with robust depth. However, the extras are minimal and already familiar to enthusiasts.

In conclusion, Badham’s "Dracula" is an enigmatic entry that does more right than wrong. Over time, it has garnered appreciation among lovers of supernatural fiction for its combination of upper-class decorum, lower-class angst, and exotic corruption. While it may not be universally acclaimed—owing to some narrative missteps and an absurd climax—the film holds a special place for many and is worth exploring on Blu-ray. Despite its imperfections, this rendition remains a remarkable portrayal that underscores the enduring appeal of Dracula's legend.