Customer Reviews

Lugosi: Hollywood's Dracula

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gary D. Rhodes textured portrait of a film icon is quite good. Besides an in-depth look at his Hollywood rise and fall, yuo can view Bela Lugosi's oldest existing film, a brief fragment of Hungary's "Struggle for Life(1918). You see scenes from "Dance of the Volcano(German/1920)" and a good, restored sequence from perhaps his earliest American film role in "Midnight Girl(1925)", an otherwise slow and tedious movie. A wonderfully restored interview from 1932(at his home) and several other special features(including a first-time interview with his last and fifth wife(shortly before her cancer-caused death) are real bonuses. It's a two-disc marathon, and even features previously unknown radio broadcasts(five), including a dark diatribe against facism in 1944 that belies his left-wing, pro-communist leanings. For the Lugosi fan, this cannot be missed.

Here's a real treat for Lugosi fans--an in-depth, fascinating, and utterly entertaining hour featuring lots of previously-unseen material. The clips from his early silent films are beautifully restored, and left this reviewer with a strong urge to see the complete films. There's an impressive array of interviews with former co-stars and friends, and some surprisingly clear interviews with the star himself (some of these also appear on Roan's excellent "White Zombie" disc).

I was also impressed by the sometimes hallucinatory editing style--often a rapid succession of film clips set to spooky music--that made the documentary every bit as entertaining as watching one of Bela's movies.

If I have one minor gripe, it's that a large amount of "deleted scenes" could have been editing back into the feature. Most of them are expanded interviews and clips from particular films. I'm sure the decision was made to cut these extra scenes for reasons of pacing or time. But a true Lugosi fan would not only NOT mind the extra padding, he (or she) would most likely appreciate it. It's a minor point, because of course you can access all these extra scenes from the main menu.

Order this one, you won't be disappointed.

This is a marvellous documentary all about the actor Bela Lugosi, produced by the foremost experts on the actor and with great affection this is a MUST have for any Lugosi fans or afficienados of the golden age of movies. Packed full of rare footage, interviews and little known facts I am so glad that this doesnt dwell on the tragic aspects of his life so well documented in the movie ED WOOD, instead its a respectful tribute and something I will watch again and again...not to mention listening to the bonus cd with some superb old radio shows featuring Mr Lugosi!

This DVD is an absolutely beautiful tribute for fans of Lugosi.It has rare photographs;rare interveiws(especially with his widow Hope Lugosi).Gives the Lugosi fan an intimate portrait of a talented,yet tragic Hollywood legend.As one of Lugosi's biggest fans,I give it a thumbs up:it is a must see!

I have seen or own many of the film documentaries on Bela Lugosi and this, by far, is the best. I also like the fact that they added some of his radio appearances on a separate disc. Maybe this same group will have future docu-movies on other actors from the classic days of mystery and thrills.

Do a Google search on the title and it will take you to a web page where you can get this direct at a reasonable price. I am not connected with the seller. Just got it for $23. Shipped.

i have waited for a documentary about horror legend bela lugosi for so long and now it's here on dvd for the first time. gary don rhodes has done a brilliant job.
i particularly like the background music that was selected for the programme and the early photos of the man himself(most of which were previously unseen i would say). all the highlights are here: lugosi's early theatre experiences, his world war one experiences and of course, his breakthrough role that would make his name - dracula.
the special features are plentiful: extra interviews along with those that were given by lugosi. only negative point here is the interview given by his last wife. talk about a cold fish: from the outset, it became rather obvious that she wasn't interested in making a contribution to the documentary. she didn't exactly go out of her way in expressing any love or respect for her late husband(what sort of marriage could they have had?). what with being so cold, disinterested and sometimes offensive, i'm surprised her "interview" made it to the dvd release at all! still, only a minor problem.
the other seperate interviews are much more interesting and insightful. the bonus footage of lugosi in a foreign short film is intriguing if rather brief. altogether, there must be at least another hour's worth of footage. the other dvd includes very good bonus radio performances and interviews that are a treasure for any lugosi fan.
i just hope fellow horror legend boris karloff is given the same treatment in time to come.

I read a lot about horror actors and I have seen many documentaries on these classic horror men. This Lugosi documentary is one of the finest I've ever seen with some very interesting and new information for fans of the great underappreciated actor. If your a fan, this is a no brainer. It's a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it. I bid you......Velcome!

finaly they pay tribute to a great actor. lugosi paved the way for karloff-lee-price and chaney jr. here is an in depth look at the greatest horror icon of all time. lugosi lives eternal.

Please re-release this superb Bela Lugosi biography on DVD minus the rip-off price that the sellers are selling it for so that humble people such as myself can afford it.Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!