Product Details

• Actors: Louis Jourdan, Frank Finlay, Susan Penhaligon
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC Worldwide
• DVD Release Date: September 25, 2007
• Run Time: 150 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000R7I48G
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,536 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Count Dracula (BBC Mini-Series)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

COUNT DRACULA - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Faithful Adaptation Of Stoker's Novel Yet, June 8, 2007

By 

Darrell Heath (Little Rock, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Count Dracula (BBC Mini-Series) (DVD)

I first saw this version of "Dracula" on PBS back in the 70's (shortly after having read the novel) and thought it a wondererful (albeit a little stiff) and very faithful film adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic gothic novel. Of course there have been hundreds of films featuring Count Dracula down through the ages but very few of them adhered closely to the orignal source material. In fact most of them just borrowed a few key characters and maybe a plot thread or two and then just created their own story. Thankfully the BBC decided to rectify matters by filming their own adaptation for television and this is the first film that I am aware of that really does stay true to the novel. In fact this was the first film to show many of the famous scenes from the novel that previous films had ignored. Namely the scenes of Dracula crawling down the castle walls and a very controversial (at the time) scene where the Count offers a baby to his three vampire brides.

Now keep in mind this is 70's era BBC televsision. While the acting is quite good some of the other production values are not going to be of the same quality that many of today's viewing audiences are used to. For example many of the exterior scenes are filmed outdoors while the interior scenes are filmed on sets. Consequently there is going to be some sequences with a certain stagey quality to them. Some of the special effects shots are going to be...well, lets just say not all that special. Now having said all that I still can tell you that there are more chills to be had from this version than the BBC's most recent and very disapointing adaptation of "Dracula". In fact, I'll go so far as to say that this version is even better than Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula". I never really cared for Coppola's version anyway but I will give it high marks for production values. One of the big mistakes with Coppola's film was the changing of Dracula's character from Stoker's concept of evil vampire to that of a silly, romantic love-struck vampire. Louis Jourdan (Gigi, Octopussy) does a fine job as the Count despite the fact that he is one of the few things in the film that doesn't quite mesh with Stoker's original concept. He does however convey very well that strange dichotomy of vampires. Namely the sensual yet evil qualities we've come to expect from many other screen Dracula's.

To sum up: this film may be cheap in the production values department but if you are looking for a version that is faithful to Stoker's original story, character and concepts then you are on the right track with this offering from 70's era BBC. There's lots of atmosphere and plenty of good chills to be had from this version despite the shortcomings it may have.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most accurate version by far. Bram Stoker would have been proud., August 18, 2007

By 

Armchair Pundit "Armchair Pundit." (Durham City, England.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Count Dracula (BBC Mini-Series) (DVD)

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.

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!....YES!!!, AT LAST!!!, July 6, 2007

By 

Gregory E. Foster "operabruin" (Portland, ME, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Count Dracula (BBC Mini-Series) (DVD)

FINALLY!!!

I cannot believe that we are FINALLY going to be able to own this unforgettable BBC series!!!

The BEST version of Dracula ever placed on film! I have wished for, and waited, it seems like forever, for a chance to be able to not only see this great "film" again, but to be able to have it on my shelves to watch over and over anytime I wish to.

I am a long-time horror film buff, and have seen so many Dracula films I cannot begin to even remember all of them, and THIS is the BEST ever! It closely follows the book, and it also has no "fantastic" [s...] added (as Hollywood is wont to do).

If you are a fan of Bram Stoker's fabled book, then this is, certainly, the Dracula movie for you, trust me. Bravo to Warner Brothers for bringing this great masterpiece film to our list of "available" choices for Dracula on film. This is truly a milestone movie!!! ~operabruin