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Post by Mrs Vindecco on Jul 16, 2011 12:05:16 GMT
Like a lot of people I discovered Dwight via Universal's Dracula, which coincidently set the standard for many Horror movies to come after. However I personally feel that, despite it's iconic status and the great performances given by Lugosi, Van Sloan and of course Dwightie, it can be a little slow and is obviously based on the Hamilton Dean play rather than the Bram Stoker novel (which I actually really enjoy for reasons different to the film). So I just wondered what everyone else thinks of different adaptations of Dracula?
I know there are a few Nosferatu fans out there...
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Post by Luna on Jul 16, 2011 15:45:15 GMT
Great question Mrs. V. Like you I too enjoy the book for different reasons from the Universal film, and in that vein I would say that the BBC adaptation with Louis Jordan probably follows the book more than any other. However, I do enjoy almost all of the different interpretations of the story. They each bring something unique to the table- Nosferatu it's pure terror and it's depiction of an almost rat like in appearance Count. The Hammer versions for being among the first to show the Count's more romantic side, although Universal did touch upon that somewhat. Universal and it's gothic atmosphere that has never been repeated, etc. I would say that the only adaptation that I haven't enjoyed at least somewhat, would be the version with Gary Oldman- and I could go on all day listing reasons why!
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Post by liz on Jul 16, 2011 16:39:41 GMT
I'm reading the book right now, and I must say it's a bit slow compared to the movies.
I do enjoy Nosferatu - made me utter my first scream at a horror movie - and of course, Dwight's '31 Dracula.
I agree with Luna. I find the '92 Gary Oldman version just...odd.
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Post by Mrs Vindecco on Jul 16, 2011 17:30:14 GMT
This is going to sound weird but that's me  The best way to read Dracula is on a long journey, I think it's because of all the travelling that chronicled in the novel. I used to read when I travelled into Edinburgh everyday. Also I remember watching a documentary about Victorian literature and there was a large amount of books designed with this idea in mind because train travel was in its prime. I do sometimes wonder if Bram Stoker had this in mind... probably not There are various reasons why the Gary Oldman version didn't work for me. To be fair, he gave an all right performance but everyone else were pretty awful. The love story was different but a bit unbelievable, I thought Winona Rider and Oldman lacked chemistry and just thought it concentrated on the sex. The fact it was called Bram Stoker's Dracula was laughable because it really wasn't. I didn't mind the look of the movie in certain respects but it concentrated on the feel of gothic rather than the actual Victorian age. I'm pretty sure it kicked off another Gothic revival. The BBC version is great because it feels authentic and I think Jourdan made a very good count. |
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Post by matilda on Jul 19, 2011 6:07:49 GMT
Yes Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder. This remains my favorite based on the concept of the story.
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Post by leah2359 on Jul 25, 2011 22:00:25 GMT
I will watch the 1992 Dracula if it happens to be on While Gary Oldman did the best he could do with kind of a crap script, it's Keanu Reeves (Keanu Reeves as Harker? REALLY?) and Winona Ryder who were truly awful. She was trying to do a British accent.....right?
What kills me is they really did try to stay closer to the actual novel but it just didn't work. But this adaption also helped bring forth the jewel that is Dracula: Dead And Loving It since both the '31 and '92 versions were spoofed, so for that I'm thankful.
As for Nosferatu, I love it. I watch it every Halloween season, several times.
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Post by liz on Jul 26, 2011 4:13:58 GMT
Dead and Loving It is hilarious! And Peter MacNichol took his inspiration for Renfield from Dwight himself!
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Post by leah2359 on Jul 26, 2011 19:15:57 GMT
He was classic in that. You could really tell he'd studied Dwight and that performance very well, and really had respect for Dwight/the character of Renfield, as silly as the movie was supposed to be.
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Post by liz on Jul 27, 2011 3:06:08 GMT
I could definitely picture Dwight saying, "What on earth are you doing to the furniture?" lol ;D
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Post by leah2359 on Jul 27, 2011 3:38:15 GMT
LOL!! Me too, totally. The part where he and Lucy scream at each other in the bedroom is hysterical to me.
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Post by Ren Morris on Jul 27, 2011 16:23:02 GMT
Jack Shepherd is an amazing Renfield- pretty much my headcannon for the book. I'm incredibly fond of that Dracula, espically the Renfield/Dracula undertones and Renfield's crush on Mina. Also Quincey Morris' accent is fantastic.
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Post by limey on Jul 28, 2011 0:53:19 GMT
Or who could forget - WRONG ME! WRONG ME! WRONG MY BRAINS OUT! |
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Post by liz on Jul 28, 2011 1:18:09 GMT
There was a Dracula made in '77? I didn't know that! And Limey, I knew you'd think of that one now that I think of it, lol. I can picture Dwight saying that too.  |
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Post by leah2359 on Jul 28, 2011 1:31:07 GMT
LOL Limey!
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Post by liz on Jul 28, 2011 5:57:20 GMT
lol, just edited my post. Wow, Limey and MM have technically the same avatars, and technically the same dirty thoughts! |
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The best way to read Dracula is on a long journey, I think it's because of all the travelling that chronicled in the novel. I used to read when I travelled into Edinburgh everyday. Also I remember watching a documentary about Victorian literature and there was a large amount of books designed with this idea in mind because train travel was in its prime. I do sometimes wonder if Bram Stoker had this in mind... probably not 
