This 1973 version of Bram Stoker's novel is produced and directed by Dan Curtis, an American television producer most famous from his Gothic TV-series "Dark Shadows" (1966-1971). During the late 1960's and the early 1970's Curtis produced many famous horror stories to American television, but directed only few of them. "Dracula" is one his directions and a very good one also. Although the TV-budget obviously isn't that great and the film is lacking many special effects, it has a great atmosphere over it, and should also be mentioned of few other things.
Richard Matheson's screenplay would not appear as anything but another simplified version of Stoker's book unless Curtis would have added his own touch to it. This is the first version where Dracula travels from Transylvania to England to find a reincarnation of his lost love (Coppola used the same idea more popularly in 1992). In this version the lost love is Lucy (Fiona Lewis) whom Dracula immediately seduce. When Lucy is later destroyed by her own fiancé Arthur (Simon Ward) and Dr. Van Helsing (Nigel Davenport) Dracula's fury knows no boundaries and he takes his revenge through Lucy's best friend Mina (Penelope Horner).
This is also the first version to make a clear connection between fictional vampire Count Dracula and the historical Vlad Tépés Dracula, who was the king of Walachia in the 15'Th century. Stoker hinted the connection in his book, as did Jess Franco's movie "El Conde Dracula" and later in 2002 a two-part long TV film. Mostly though, the connection is forgotten from the film adaptations. This version is the only one (with Coppola's film) to make the connection very clear by showing a portrait of Dracula and saying it is Vlad Tépés.
The true heart and soul of this film is Jack Palance. Palance, who had worked with Curtis in 1968 in "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", is probably the most faithful Dracula to Stoker's book. Palance plays Dracula as an ancient warlord whose will was so strong it survived death and who doesn't allow anything or anyone to stand in his way. His Dracula is furious demon who is having a hard time of trying to play human. Just like in Stoker's book, Count Dracula in this film only appears at ease with humans when he retells his ancient battles against the Turks. Otherwise he appears to be not comfortable when playing a nice guy and breaks out into terrible fits of anger when something goes against his wishes. Palance's performance is the most faithful one to Stoker and it completely overshadows other performances in this film (even Davenport can't make his Van Helsing interesting when facing this Dracula). And also, he looks incredible with the black cape.
This film should enjoy a wider attention for it is definitely one of the better Dracula films, with a professional direction, great story telling and Jack Palance's wonderful performance. Dracula fans, do not miss this one, totally worth seeing!
Richard Matheson's screenplay would not appear as anything but another simplified version of Stoker's book unless Curtis would have added his own touch to it. This is the first version where Dracula travels from Transylvania to England to find a reincarnation of his lost love (Coppola used the same idea more popularly in 1992). In this version the lost love is Lucy (Fiona Lewis) whom Dracula immediately seduce. When Lucy is later destroyed by her own fiancé Arthur (Simon Ward) and Dr. Van Helsing (Nigel Davenport) Dracula's fury knows no boundaries and he takes his revenge through Lucy's best friend Mina (Penelope Horner).
This is also the first version to make a clear connection between fictional vampire Count Dracula and the historical Vlad Tépés Dracula, who was the king of Walachia in the 15'Th century. Stoker hinted the connection in his book, as did Jess Franco's movie "El Conde Dracula" and later in 2002 a two-part long TV film. Mostly though, the connection is forgotten from the film adaptations. This version is the only one (with Coppola's film) to make the connection very clear by showing a portrait of Dracula and saying it is Vlad Tépés.
The true heart and soul of this film is Jack Palance. Palance, who had worked with Curtis in 1968 in "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", is probably the most faithful Dracula to Stoker's book. Palance plays Dracula as an ancient warlord whose will was so strong it survived death and who doesn't allow anything or anyone to stand in his way. His Dracula is furious demon who is having a hard time of trying to play human. Just like in Stoker's book, Count Dracula in this film only appears at ease with humans when he retells his ancient battles against the Turks. Otherwise he appears to be not comfortable when playing a nice guy and breaks out into terrible fits of anger when something goes against his wishes. Palance's performance is the most faithful one to Stoker and it completely overshadows other performances in this film (even Davenport can't make his Van Helsing interesting when facing this Dracula). And also, he looks incredible with the black cape.
This film should enjoy a wider attention for it is definitely one of the better Dracula films, with a professional direction, great story telling and Jack Palance's wonderful performance. Dracula fans, do not miss this one, totally worth seeing!