Dracula (1931) [Blu-ray]

This 1931 Universal monster classic created the horror genre defining the iconic look and frightening character of Count Dracula. It is the quintessential signature adaptation of Bram Stoker's story with all its eerie shadows, and atmospheric cinematography. It has inspired hundreds of remakes. It stars Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula, Helen Chandler as Mina, Dwight Frye as Renfield, and Edward Van Sloan as Van Helsing. The film has gone on to win 5 Awards and 3 Nominations from the modern day Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, USA.Refusing the warnings from the villagers, Renfield meets Count Dracula, who is a vampire, at the castle. Dracula turns him into his slave and commands him to protect him on his trip to London. Once in London, Dracula sleeps in his coffin in the day and searches for his victims at night. His first victim is Lucy. He sucks her blood and turns her into a vampire. He then turns to Lucy's friend, Mina, and begins to transform her into a vampire. When Mina's family see her health deteriorating, they send for Van Helsing for help. Van Helsing realizes that Count Dracula is a vampire and that Mina is in immediate danger of becoming a vampire. Van Helsing tells all concerned what must be done to prevent the worst from happening.This film should be viewed with the year 1931 in mind. Even so, they do an excellent job creating a chilling environment for the walking dead to be creeping into your bedroom to suck your life's blood out of your body. Bela Lugosi gives an outstanding performance as Count Dracula. He himself believed it. So much so, Hollywood has made movies on the subject. Special mention must be made for Dwight Frye and his unforgettable portrayal of Renfield. As soon as he is preyed upon there is not a moment he is on the screen that you can turn your eyes away from him. When he is found on board and he looks into the camera and is laughing it is chilling. When he is in jail and is craving blood and is eating spiders it is horrifying. Neither of which I will ever forget.The DVD's front and back covers are in English, it has Bonus Features and Movie Trivia, sound and picture are perfect, running time is 1 hr. 15 min.

in 2006 Universal released the 75th Anniversary edition of this film which i boughtwhich is a 2 Disc set, the U.S. version on Disc 1 and the Spanish version on Disc 2along with tons of special features2 Audio commentary tracks by Historian David skal and another commentary by Steve Habermanwho wrote the screenplay for Dracula-Dead and Loving itplus the Road to Dracula Documentary which is retrospective featurette on the film and couple other featurettesthe U.S. version released in 1931 is based on a stage playcause Universal had a very tight budget so the production was cut that is why the film looks like a play on stage actuallyand only goes for 75minsthe Spanish version does go longer about 1 hr 40mins which is about 105minsi have watched both versionsthe spanish version is very similar to the U.S. version but with extra scenes of coursethe spanish producers had lot more money to spendGreat Camera work which was ahead of it's time way back in 1931personally i prefer the spanish version cause it's more superior version than the U.S. versionon this new blu-ray reissue both versions have been given the same 1080p transferand the same 2.0 master audio mixthe picture quality for the spanish version does look amazing the best the film has ever looked actuallybut there are some scenes in the castle where the picture quality has deterioated a little there's lot of lines on the screenthe first scene right through til Dracula looks at the Lease on Carfax abbey is very clean picturemaybe some of the original negatives were damaged and couldn't be fixed, it's anybody's guess whybut it happens throughout the film some scenes look fantastic Digitally restored and some scenes couldn't be helpedthe U.S. CUT transfer does look amazing quality universal made lots of effort to clean up the picture qualityno Grain no Dirt in the quality the best the film has ever looked actuallyboth films are in 1:33:1 ratio with black pillars on either side of the screenall the EXTRAS on this blu-ray have been carried over from the 2 disc dvd setbut tragically the featurettes have not been given 1080p transfers, just the same Digital remaster qualitybut nethertheless buy this new blu-ray has both versions of them plus all the extras on 1 Discabout 4-5stars for this new blu-ray

The 4K presentation of DRACULA is a total knock-out! I've never seen it look so good. It's downright astonishing. Such a great transfer can really pull you into a movie I had dismissed as creaky and campy. It's still campy at times, but Bela Lugosi can still give you a bit of a chill. And there's a great atmosphere about the film--especially the first half. Another thing to recommend it is Dwight Frye's "Renfield". He more than pulls off the tragically demented character, an essential element of the story on film that some later versions leave out. If you like this movie and know it well, you'll be glad to have this edition (great extras too)

I never drink--wine! All kidding aside while entertaining, this movie is not faithful to the book.Of course, it was made during the Great Depression and I am sure financial factors were involved. Here are some differences: In the book, it is Jonathan Harker, not Renfield, who goes to Dracula's castle to have the Count sign the lease for Carfax abbey. Dracula does not make the journey aboard the Vesta with Renfield.Rather Harker is held prisoner in Dracula's castle but finally escapes and gets back to England. Also, Dracula is not dispatched in Carfax abbey. Rather with destruction closing in he makes a run back to Transylvania and Van Helsing, Harker, and associates use his connection with Mina to track him. They finally get him near the castle and just as the sun is about to set they open his coffin and decapitate him upon which he crumbles into dust. Copolla's Dracula is closer to the book but in my opinion, the closest is a BBC production starring Louis Jourdan.

Brings back memories of Saturdays at the movie theater.

thanks

The media could not be loaded.  Sound not great only DTS 2.0 on all langages , issing sound verry anoying ''watch video''..not as good as I want...don't wort the price of the 4K UHD....