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- Universal Studio's Dracula - US DVD -  

Dracula has some of the best opening footage for an early horror movie. 
Director Todd Browning creates some memorable and lasting scenes. 
Castle Dracula has an ominous atmosphere that has stood the test of time. 
We first see Dracula (Bela Lugosi) and his wives rising from their coffins
in the spider-web strewn basement. It is a dismal location in which no 
breathing human would want to spend any time. 
The castle itself is a dark and gloomy paradise, the perfect place for a 
demonic and undead count to make his lodgings.
The movie is adapted from Bram Stokers novel and several stage productions
with the same name.  
Dracula was released in 1931.  
Director Browning was no stranger to the macabre. He was quite successful 
directing the famous Lon Chaney in several silent movies.
This movie is somewhat different than Stokers brilliant novel.
Renfield (Dwight Frye) is sent to Transylvania on a secret business trip. 
He is to rent an abbey to the infamous count. 
The count quickly puts Renfield under his powers.  
The count and Renfield travel to England aboard the doomed ship, the Vesta.
Dracula begins his reign of evil in England.
Todd Browning took on quite a challenge. Transforming Bram Stokers magnificent
piece of written work into a movie is no easy task.
Stokers book is a complex endeavor that is seen through the eyes of many 
characters. Anyone who has read the novel knows that Renfield did not travel
to Transylvania. Rather it was Jonathan Harker who did so.
Browning only had about seventy-five minutes to bring more than 400 pages 
to the screen. Many changes in the story had to be made.
Thankfully Todd Browning was willing to take the risk. If he had not, would
the name of Dracula be so recognized even today?
I have read other reviews of this movie that are very critical of Brownings
direction. Several have said that the movie loses its focus after Dracula 
arrives in London. I do not agree with that.
Even though the opening scenes in Castle Dracula are superb, I do not believe
that those scenes were very difficult for Browning to film. Browning used 
Lugosi's performance and the sets to make those early scenes the classics 
that they are.
In London, Browning really had to work to keep the movie moving along.
Yes, the atmosphere is different. Of course it is. Count Dracula is out of
his environment. He left the security of his dark and sinister castle for a
new land. Browning had to balance the performance of Lugosi with the other 
characters. If he was unable to do this, Dracula would have completely 
overshadowed the other actors, or Dracula's role would have become lost in 
a maze of supporting cast members.
As I have already briefly pointed out there are some major differences 
between the novel and the movie. Naturally, it has to be this way. The script
is a very workable one. The dialogue clearly explains what vampires are and 
the powers they possess.
Seventy years ago this was very important. Even today it helps make this movie 
worth watching.
Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula is one of my all-time favorites. 
Like Karloff in Frankenstein, Lugosi is one of the keys to the movies success
and importance. His voice and movements bring the count to life. Lugosi's 
Dracula becomes a fascinating creature that we want to watch, again and again.
Edward Van Sloan also provides a stellar piece of acting. He portrays Van 
Helsing, Dracula's nemesis. Van Sloan is well cast in this role. He does an 
excellent job of offsetting Draculas powers and strength.
This DVD version is restored. 
It incudes the option of listening to a new score by Philip Glass.  
I like the original production without a sound track. The new music fits the
movie. Yet, I feel that adding music to this influential movie took something 
away.
This DVD also includes the Spanish version of Dracula. It was filmed at the
same time as English-speaking version. The same sets were used. French or 
English subtitles can be chosen. It was interesting to watch. I found the 
English version more to my liking.
In the Spanish version, Dracula (Carlos Villar) is not as diabolic as Lugosi's
portrayal. Carlos Villar does not give the count a look as menacing as Lugosi
does. The facial expressions do not work. Villar almost seems to be playing 
a spoof of Dracula, not a serious version. His movements seemed forced and 
not natural.
At times his attempts to grin sinisterly fail completely.
Lugosi's acting performance is far superior.
Todd Browning also does a better directing job then George Melford.
The camera work in the Spanish version is a little different. The cameras 
move more. The film seems a little more fluid. Technically speaking, this 
version has a little higher quality. The documentary "Road to Dracula" 
explains why this was so. 
The Spanish version was filmed on the same sets as the English version. The
English version was filmed during the day. The Spanish crew filmed at night.
The Spanish crew watched what was filmed during the day and decided to improve
on it.
The biggest plus I found in the Spanish version is Lupita Tovar.  
She plays the role of Eva. Helen Chandler plays the same role, but as the 
character of Mina in the English version. Tovars portrayal of Eva is much
closer to the novels characterization of Mina.
If you are a fan of Dracula and his legend, there is one other segment of 
the DVD that you will enjoy. The feature film commentary by David J. Skal 
has a lot of neat information. He discusses much more then the movie. Skal 
gives insight to the movie, the novel, various plays, actors, the legend of 
Dracula and other material.
All in all, this DVD has a lot to offer.  
I highly recommend it. 
The movie itself is worth it.  
The more that you relish Dracula and horror in general, the more you will get
out of this sensational DVD. 
This DVD is part of the Universal Monster Classics. I have already reviewed
Frankenstien. I plan on reviewing the other six in the collection. When I 
will get to that I am not sure. So stay tuned.

Reviewed By Scal Williams

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