Anyone who thinks that this sort of Gothic horror can only be done best in B&W hasn't seen Dracula with Frank Langella in the title role and Sir Laurence Olivier as Van Helsing.
It starts with a well-staged storm at sea, accompanied by some of John Williams' most bombastic music, before settling down to become the familiar story we all know from Bram Stoker's classic tale.
FRANK LANGELLA repeats his successful stage role as Dracula, a more romantic and soulful version of the vampire than movie fans were accustomed to seeing. But this is a boldly erotic take on the story with nary a fang in sight--and yet, the horror is maintained through the uneasiness that stirs whenever that foreboding score tells us something evil is about to happen.
LAURENCE OLIVIER is less successful as Van Helsing, looking a bit frail and lacking the strength the character should show. Presumably, he was not in the best of health during filming, and it shows.
The film has been mounted with lavish care but the other performances are rather standard except for Langella, and the ending is an ambiguous one. We see Dracula's cape rising from the ruins, floating upward toward the sky and leaving the distinct impression that the studio was thinking of sequels for their legendary vampire.
Summing up: Worth a look if only to catch Langella's interpretation of the role and to hear John Williams' exceptional score.
It starts with a well-staged storm at sea, accompanied by some of John Williams' most bombastic music, before settling down to become the familiar story we all know from Bram Stoker's classic tale.
FRANK LANGELLA repeats his successful stage role as Dracula, a more romantic and soulful version of the vampire than movie fans were accustomed to seeing. But this is a boldly erotic take on the story with nary a fang in sight--and yet, the horror is maintained through the uneasiness that stirs whenever that foreboding score tells us something evil is about to happen.
LAURENCE OLIVIER is less successful as Van Helsing, looking a bit frail and lacking the strength the character should show. Presumably, he was not in the best of health during filming, and it shows.
The film has been mounted with lavish care but the other performances are rather standard except for Langella, and the ending is an ambiguous one. We see Dracula's cape rising from the ruins, floating upward toward the sky and leaving the distinct impression that the studio was thinking of sequels for their legendary vampire.
Summing up: Worth a look if only to catch Langella's interpretation of the role and to hear John Williams' exceptional score.