Back in the early 90’s, Francis Ford Coppola thought it would be a good idea to direct a feature film that would give gothic horror fans a definitive version of Bram Stoker's "Dracula." When I originally heard the news, I was rather excited about the prospect. After all Coppola had directed "The Godfather" trilogy and "Apocalypse Now" (to name just a few), so I figured he would have just the right vision to make it as lush and lurid as it should be. The day that the cast was announced, I started drooling. Reading the names Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Cary Elwes, Bill Campbell, I was even more convinced he knew what he was doing. Even noticing Winona Ryder listed didn't sway me, after all she may be a dip in real life, but she can act. Then, the freight train hit me. Keanu Reeves. I couldn't believe it. What was Coppola thinking? Keanu Reeves…. in "Dracula?" (Whoooaaa… dude… that like… bites…) Still, I hoped his role would be small and not ruin the whole movie.

When the film was released in theatres, I was there to see it opening night. I was as excited as most audiences were at the time. The lights went down, the movie started, the movie ended, the lights came up. At that first viewing I really wasn't sure what I saw. Though blown away by the production design, which was out of this world, I wasn't so much taken by the acting. I was expecting Reeves to be bad (which he was), but nearly everyone else in it was not at the top at their game. Only Oldman, who portrayed Vlad the Impaler both in his youth and as a doddering old man, demanded my full attention.

Then there was the matter of the special effects, which for the most part were outstanding. We see Dracula's talent as a shape-shifter, and when he is in bat-mode he looks incredible. But as a werewolf, he leaves something to be desired. The work was done by Greg Cannom, who is an extremely talented makeup artist. However, he has a penchant for flat-faced werewolves, and the one he designed here looked just awful. Thankfully, this was the only effect of the movie that looked that bad. Everything else was awesome. As a matter of fact, there is a scene where Van Helsing's daughter returns form the dead, and to this day it still gives me nightmares.

I went home that night, a bit disappointed but really wasn't ready to give up hope. I had wanted the movie to be good so badly, so I thought perhaps I was tired and should see it again. It took a second viewing for me to really begin to appreciate the style that Coppola was going for. Initially I felt everyone was a bit too melodramatic, but in the context of the film, the time period it is supposed to represent and the older "Dracula" films, the performances were actually dead on perfect. There are one or two scenes where Hopkins goes a little overboard, but it can be forgiven and blamed on Van Helsing's growing obsession. Only Reeves continued to be his usual one-note valley guy self. I should mention that singer Tom Waits also stars in a scene-stealing performance as Renfield, Dracula's hapless helper.

I bought the original DVD release that came out years ago as my appreciation for the film had grown. At the time I was sorely disappointed that the disc had been released without a single special feature. Finally, this month we see the release of a 2-disc special edition set brimming with special features. Though even without the special features, this collection is worth picking up just for the new transfer alone, which is far superior to that of the original release. The set starts out with a video introduction by Coppola, who then follows it up with an excellent commentary. Anyone who doesn’t believe Coppola has the gift of gab need to listen to this.

There is also a featurette on the overall making of the film, which is emphasized by several shorter ones focusing directly on the costume design work of Eiko Ishioka, the interesting way they approached a lot of the visual effects, and the look of the film. You'll even find some deleted scenes, some of which have been rumored to have existed but have not been available until now. Finally, there is a trailer for Coppola's new film "Youth Without Youth."

In spite of the few reservations I still have about "Bram Stoker's Dracula", I cannot deny Coppola has a broad and creative vision. It took me two sittings in a dark theatre to really begin to appreciate what he had created, and additional viewings have only served to nourish that appreciation.

Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Gary Oldman, Wynona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Cary Elwes
Extras: Francis Ford Coppola Video Intro, Director's Audio Commentary, The Blood is the Life - The Making of Dracula, The Costumes are the Sets, In-Camera - The Naïve Visual Effects of Dracula, Method and Madness - Visualizing Dracula, Deleted Scenes
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1)
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 10/2/2007
Region 1
MPAA Rating:
Website

We'll give Bram Stoker's Dracula a B+.