For me the definitive version is the Christopher Lee/Peter Cushing one(adaptation-wise and own terms wise) with the Bela Lugosi film close behind, but almost all the adaptations of Dracula are worth watching and this one from 1974 acquits itself more than adequately. There are goofy-looking day-and-night shots, a few moments of erratic pacing and Jonathan Harker is so underwritten that it's almost like he was written as an afterthought, his story resolved rather off-handedly. However Dracula(1974) is stylishly made stuff with moody photography, effectively creepy lighting, very evocative and colourful Victorian period detail and some great locations, especially the one for Dracula's castle which is like a character of its own that matches Dracula in being imposing.
Dracula(1974) also benefits from having one of the spookiest and suspense-inducing music scores I've heard in a long time and intelligently done writing and direction that respects the source material while having an imaginative touch as well. Likewise with the story, which has plenty of horror and suspense as well as a melancholic air, it certainly feels like Dracula, apart from missing the erotic quality of the book and the Coppola and Lee adaptations, and stays relatively faithful spirit and story structure-wise. Though with some additions and omissions, most notably the inclusion of the love story and having Lucy looking like Dracula's lost love(also done in the Coppola film, except to me it's handled better here) which added a lot to Dracula's character(it gives him a tortured quality while not forgetting that he's evil) and made why he went to England believable, and the omission of Renfield, a shame as he is one of the book's most interesting characters.
There are some great scenes here, especially the spine-chilling opening sequence which is accentuated by the sound effects and the score, Dracula moving through the castle throwing around anyone and anything in his way, when Dracula goes berserk and when Dracula unleashes a wolf from the zoo. The pursuit of Dracula's also quite exciting. The ending may seem silly to some and some may feel like Dracula is defeated too easily and that his character is weakened too much(the latter was definitely deliberate though and makes sense). To me it was a very powerful ending that was also lively and intense and if anything it did improve on the ending of the book somewhat(the too-silly and Dracula-defeated-too-easily-and-weakening-his-character criticisms can be true of the book too, just my opinion of course). The performances are good on the whole, though those of Jonathan and Mrs. Westernra are a touch stiff but that's not entirely their fault as the way their characters are written doesn't help them, and Dracula is the only really colourful character. Simon Ward is very likable and solidly forthright and I personally appreciated the subtlety that Nigel Davenport brought to Van Helsing(but if people find him too low-key that's understandable, as Van Helsing is not the most subtle of characters.
Jack Palance's superb Dracula is the performance that dominates as he should, not definitive but extremely worthy. He is often very scary in an animalistic way- see how he bares his fangs, hear how he hisses and look at how imposing he looks with his rugged features and tall height- but he also brings a melancholy, nobleman-quality and ambiguity if not as sensual as others in the role. You are genuinely terrified of Dracula but empathise a little with him too but the film doesn't make the mistake of rooting for him too much. Palance's best moments are when he tries to get into the locked hotel room door with the two women in the room- people here have said that this scene was chilling back then and that it came across to this viewer as chilling to this day is testament to how effective it is-, when he's moving through the hotel and how his facial expression of pain and horror has a glint of relief too as he's dying, it is a subtle touch that can easily be missed but it is brilliantly done. Overall, a very solid and atmospheric adaptation of a classic with a superb titular character performance. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Dracula(1974) also benefits from having one of the spookiest and suspense-inducing music scores I've heard in a long time and intelligently done writing and direction that respects the source material while having an imaginative touch as well. Likewise with the story, which has plenty of horror and suspense as well as a melancholic air, it certainly feels like Dracula, apart from missing the erotic quality of the book and the Coppola and Lee adaptations, and stays relatively faithful spirit and story structure-wise. Though with some additions and omissions, most notably the inclusion of the love story and having Lucy looking like Dracula's lost love(also done in the Coppola film, except to me it's handled better here) which added a lot to Dracula's character(it gives him a tortured quality while not forgetting that he's evil) and made why he went to England believable, and the omission of Renfield, a shame as he is one of the book's most interesting characters.
There are some great scenes here, especially the spine-chilling opening sequence which is accentuated by the sound effects and the score, Dracula moving through the castle throwing around anyone and anything in his way, when Dracula goes berserk and when Dracula unleashes a wolf from the zoo. The pursuit of Dracula's also quite exciting. The ending may seem silly to some and some may feel like Dracula is defeated too easily and that his character is weakened too much(the latter was definitely deliberate though and makes sense). To me it was a very powerful ending that was also lively and intense and if anything it did improve on the ending of the book somewhat(the too-silly and Dracula-defeated-too-easily-and-weakening-his-character criticisms can be true of the book too, just my opinion of course). The performances are good on the whole, though those of Jonathan and Mrs. Westernra are a touch stiff but that's not entirely their fault as the way their characters are written doesn't help them, and Dracula is the only really colourful character. Simon Ward is very likable and solidly forthright and I personally appreciated the subtlety that Nigel Davenport brought to Van Helsing(but if people find him too low-key that's understandable, as Van Helsing is not the most subtle of characters.
Jack Palance's superb Dracula is the performance that dominates as he should, not definitive but extremely worthy. He is often very scary in an animalistic way- see how he bares his fangs, hear how he hisses and look at how imposing he looks with his rugged features and tall height- but he also brings a melancholy, nobleman-quality and ambiguity if not as sensual as others in the role. You are genuinely terrified of Dracula but empathise a little with him too but the film doesn't make the mistake of rooting for him too much. Palance's best moments are when he tries to get into the locked hotel room door with the two women in the room- people here have said that this scene was chilling back then and that it came across to this viewer as chilling to this day is testament to how effective it is-, when he's moving through the hotel and how his facial expression of pain and horror has a glint of relief too as he's dying, it is a subtle touch that can easily be missed but it is brilliantly done. Overall, a very solid and atmospheric adaptation of a classic with a superb titular character performance. 7/10 Bethany Cox