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DVD Description
This Dracula fans’ favourite, three-part series from the BBC appears on DVD for the first time. Louis Jourdan stars as the deliciously blood-thirsty Count Dracula in this version of Bram Stoker's horror classic. Keeping close to the original novel, the series begins with Jonathan Harker visiting the Count in Transylvania to help him with preparations to move to England. In the Count's castle, Jonathan becomes a prisoner, and discovers Dracula's true nature and so the age-old vampiric tale unfolds... Many scenes shot on location -- such as the Gothic graveyard of London's Highgate Cemetery -- add extra atmosphere to an already powerful production.
Synopsis
Regarded as one of the best adaptations of the classic Bram Stoker tale, Count Dracula benefits from a critically acclaimed performance from Louis Jourdan as the title character. A cult classic from the seventies, the film faithfully recreates Stoker’s characters and prose.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As a child I could never understand why so many versions of Dracula strayed so far from the novel. As much as I loved Chris Lee's films etc film makers seemed determined to avoid the original plot.
When I settled down that Christmas years ago to watch the BBC's Dracula I was over joyed to see such a faithful adaptation and a brilliant one at that. All the classic characters are there (including Renfield), they filmed in Whitby, its gory, sexy, romantic and frightening. It's done with style and class. It is a proper vampire film unlike all these Super hero martial arts vampire flicks today.
I bought it when it appeared on DVD a few years ago. I am glad to see it coming out again and hope it reaches a whole new audience.
When I settled down that Christmas years ago to watch the BBC's Dracula I was over joyed to see such a faithful adaptation and a brilliant one at that. All the classic characters are there (including Renfield), they filmed in Whitby, its gory, sexy, romantic and frightening. It's done with style and class. It is a proper vampire film unlike all these Super hero martial arts vampire flicks today.
I bought it when it appeared on DVD a few years ago. I am glad to see it coming out again and hope it reaches a whole new audience.
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The BBC has always maintained a pretty solid reputation of providing great drama and adaptations of the classics and this 1977 version of stokers novel is a prime example.
"Count Dracula" is regarded by many as the most faithful working of the horror story to date and although lacking the menace of Christopher Lee's vampire, Louis Jourdan makes very good casting indeed.
But what really makes this adaptation so good? - well firstly the cast is a good one. Frank Finlay seems to be having a great time in the role as Van Helsing, while Judi Bowker and Susan Penhaligon make good vampire fodder. Also Jack Shepherd plays Renfield to perfection. But what i really love about this production are the outdoor locations. The shots of Mina and Lucy going up the huge flight of cliff steps at whitby and sitting on the clifftop bench overlooking the sea is just how you envisage stoker's novel- just as in the scene where Dracula first seduces a sleepwalking lucy in the clifftop churchyard in the dead of night. Also the confrontation between the vampire hunters and an undead Susan Penhaligon in londons Highgate cemetry is quite chilling, especially the scene where they drive a stake into her as it looks very convincing.
Lame special effects such as rubber bats and a dreadful mist effect coming though a bedroom window don't particularly help the production but one must think of the time this was made. All in all, a very good effort and this certainly ranks high above recent attempts at the dracula story.
"Count Dracula" is regarded by many as the most faithful working of the horror story to date and although lacking the menace of Christopher Lee's vampire, Louis Jourdan makes very good casting indeed.
But what really makes this adaptation so good? - well firstly the cast is a good one. Frank Finlay seems to be having a great time in the role as Van Helsing, while Judi Bowker and Susan Penhaligon make good vampire fodder. Also Jack Shepherd plays Renfield to perfection. But what i really love about this production are the outdoor locations. The shots of Mina and Lucy going up the huge flight of cliff steps at whitby and sitting on the clifftop bench overlooking the sea is just how you envisage stoker's novel- just as in the scene where Dracula first seduces a sleepwalking lucy in the clifftop churchyard in the dead of night. Also the confrontation between the vampire hunters and an undead Susan Penhaligon in londons Highgate cemetry is quite chilling, especially the scene where they drive a stake into her as it looks very convincing.
Lame special effects such as rubber bats and a dreadful mist effect coming though a bedroom window don't particularly help the production but one must think of the time this was made. All in all, a very good effort and this certainly ranks high above recent attempts at the dracula story.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
At last, although it's been a while since I last saw this. I had never forgotten it,
especially the scene where Harker looks out of his castle window and see's Dracula clinging to the walls.
Louis Jourdan breathes new life into the titular character.
(With just the right air of a European nobleman, polite, curteous but with an arrogant streak).
This was the first time I'd seen the delightful Judy Bowker on TV since Black Beauty.
The ever reliable Frank Finlay plays a wonderful Van Helsing.
(His 1971 Casanova is worth a look too.)
And Jack Shepherd really excels as Renfield.
If you have never read the novel, then this is the most accurate version I have ever seen.
Bram Stokers characters and prose are faithfully transferred to the small screen.
Production values are typically BBC late 70's videotape, but it's the story and acting quality I buy for,
and not a slightly dodgy TV stage set!
Original airdate:~ 22/12/77.
especially the scene where Harker looks out of his castle window and see's Dracula clinging to the walls.
Louis Jourdan breathes new life into the titular character.
(With just the right air of a European nobleman, polite, curteous but with an arrogant streak).
This was the first time I'd seen the delightful Judy Bowker on TV since Black Beauty.
The ever reliable Frank Finlay plays a wonderful Van Helsing.
(His 1971 Casanova is worth a look too.)
And Jack Shepherd really excels as Renfield.
If you have never read the novel, then this is the most accurate version I have ever seen.
Bram Stokers characters and prose are faithfully transferred to the small screen.
Production values are typically BBC late 70's videotape, but it's the story and acting quality I buy for,
and not a slightly dodgy TV stage set!
Original airdate:~ 22/12/77.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Subtitled
Just to add this dvd has English subtitles. One of the very best adaptions, with a superb Renfield, thoroughly recommended.
Published 18 days ago by Wayfarer
Classic that follows the book
If like me you have actually read Stokers book have failed to be wooed by the recent teen vampire offerings via American tv, then this DVD is a must. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Louise.T
SUPERB, BBC AT IT'S BEST
The very best dramatisation of Dracula I think I have ever seen. Authentic, eerie and keeping close to the original book. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Published 9 months ago by J. Curtis
Louis Jourdan - inspirational
This is probably the best version of Dracula ever filmed. Louis Jourdan is inspirational as Dracula, sends a chill down the spine. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Dee-Jay
Thoroughly enjoyed it
This is the most faithful dramatisation of Bram Stoker's classic I've seen. There's detail in here never normally bothered with on screen, such as Jonathan Harker changing coaches... Read more
Published 10 months ago by downkiddie
best dramatisation of the Bram Stoker classic "Dracula"
Those of us who saw this marvellous BBC dramatisation of Bram Stoker's Gothic masterpiece "Dracula" at the time of its release in 1977 have waited a long time for its release on... Read more
Published 10 months ago by James Bowen
Frightening and faithful!
Bram Stoker's spine-chilling and gothic character has long been subject to experimentation by Hollywood, so much so that Francis Ford Coppola had gone to the extent of mixing a lot... Read more
Published 11 months ago by RIJU GANGULY
The ultimate vein-drainer
I could say plenty (atmosphere, locations, effects) but it boils down to 'Best version of the lot' - and, like the Count himself, definitely improves with age. Read more
Published 19 months ago by croaksnooze
Theatre of blood
The first thing to note about this two-part adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" is that it sticks closely to the original story - no forays into satanism, occultism, foreign... Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2009 by Mr. M. Bloomfield
Out for the Count
Superb 1970s BBC adaptation of Bram Stoker's seminal Gothic horror novel. I agree that the best thing about this film is its outside location work; the performances are all pretty... Read more
Published on 23 April 2009 by Captain Pugwash
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