Dracula

Dracula (1979)
Director: John Badham
Cast: Frank Langella, Laurence Olivier, Donald Pleasence, Kate Nelligan
Memorable Line(s): "You are a wise man, Professor, for someone who has not yet lived even a single lifetime."

Since being creatively invented by Bram Stoker, Dracula has been the fascination of many a writers and filmmakers along with enthralling audience members. This version of Dracula is based on the popular stage play brought to Broadway in the 1970's and penned by Hamilton Deane and John Balderston.

The story for this movie follows closely to the Stoker novel with slight deviations. The specific emphasis on the interpretation is on the romantic Dracula -- the brooding count who knows how to woo a lady. Langella, bring this role from Broadway, inhabits this count with relish and a great deal of charisma. Laurence Olivier leads up the merry band of vampire hunters and Professor Van Helsing. Kate Nelligan places the innocent damsel that Dracula tries to bring into under his cape.

The performances are stylized, but are well done and fitting for the movie. With the stress put on the romantic Dracula, this is more a film for the ladies than the men who like a bloodier count. Some of the seductions scenes may be over the top at times.

Badham's direction is never stagy and builds tension effectively throughout the movie. The set decoration is luscious and does a great job of setting the tone. John Williams score matches the romantic tone of film. My two major problems with the movie are the fact that Olivier was probably too old for the part of Van Helsing and that the ending seems abbreviated and ineffectual.

Still, even despite my reservations, this film is enjoyable and thrilling.