Genre:
Horror
Release Date: 02/27/2007
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English
Sound: DDM2.0
Run Time: 97 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children
Distributor/Studio: MPI Home Video
This doggedly faithful adaptation of
Bram Stoker's novel about a vampiric nobleman was helmed by cult director
Jesus Franco. Despite its textual loyalty and atmospheric photography by
Manuel Merino, the film -- a co-production from Spain, Italy, Germany, and Liechtenstein -- is plodding and dull. Even
Christopher Lee (in an uncharacteristically weak performance as
Dracula),
Klaus Kinski (as the mad Renfield), and seven credited screenwriters cannot make this confused, distant film worthwhile. Cult filmmaker
Bruno Mattei edited the Italian version, and scenes were later used in
Calvin Floyd's
In Search of Dracula. Among several different versions are prints running 100, 98, and 86 minutes.
Franco appears as a servant to Professor Van Helsing (
Herbert Lom), and though certainly literate, the film nevertheless fails as both horror and drama.
~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
;)
