Dracula: The Other White Meat



Lookit! Awesome hair!

 You ever watch a movie when you were a kid and then watch it again?

I like Dracula. I do not however, like the novel Dracula. Bram Stoker, besides being thoroughly obsessive and a little bit of a drinker, has a writing style that magically induces me to into the uncontrollable urge to nap.  But I do however like movies based on Dracula. There's something about the visual stimuli combined with gothic elements that really draws my attention.

That being said I saw Dracula (1979) on the Sci-Fi Channel (before it changed to SYFY....lame). So I missed the R-rated-ness of the original version along with the no commercials bit.

So. Onward.

......

I like Frank Langella. I've never really felt jipped by whatever film in which he stars. Mostly because he tries so very hard to BE whatever he is supposed to be (watch him as Nixon, his jaw does wabble quite convincingly).  His portrayal of Dracula (without bothering to stubble over a middle European accent, like Gary Oldman or Leslie Nielsen in their respective Dracula movies) is both creepy and debonair and almost sexy (the hair style is distracting, but that could just be my ADD). 



MY KINGDOM FOR AN OSCAR-WINNING ACTOR!



The film is actually based on a play that is based on the original book by Bram Stoker. It is in effect a more thorough version of an earlier film starring Bela Legosi, though not quite as thorough a version of the Francis Ford Coppla version from the 90s (oh Keanu, your acting ability=your hair).  The movie has a talented cast (featuring none other than Sir Laurence Olivier as Dr. Van Helsing) that really does their best bring the script to fruition. Granted, the script is not fantastic. The dialogue at times comes across as goofy when its supposed to be deep and scary. And the dramatic scenes are occasionally marred by the use of late 70s special effects. However, the movie is creepy sometimes. I mean just "eeeeeeek" moments where you go ".....hey....what are you....where you goin' with that.....holy crap?!" Watching Renfield shove a big fat cockroach into his mouth and lick his fingers was about enough to make me retch.

Close the damn door!

The reason I like this movie is because you already know what is going to happen. You know that Frank Langella is Dracula, a blood-thirsty vampire who is going to drain several of the supporting female cast members dry of their vital bodily fluids. This is why the movie is so creepy. It's like going to a haunted house. You know you're going to be scared--thus the suspension builds and increases the overall thrill.

Now granted the movie does overuse some of the special effects and they tend to detract from the overall viewing experience. But in truth I find that the kitchy bat scene with Renfield thoroughly amusing.

As far as perfect Dracula movies, this is not it---but to be honest I don't think there is a Dracula movie that is perfect for everyone. This, however, is one of the better versions available based in a roundabout way on the original story (no Dracula 2000 doesn't count, pun intended).  Give it a try and I'm sure you won't be disappointed