Rating of
2.5/4
Dracula '79
SmokeScreener - wrote on 03/15/09
Based on the stage play, the 1979 remake/retelling of the classic vampire tale remains true to the original story, but puts a much more romantic spin on the source material.
The film begins when Dracula arrives in England to take possession of an abandoned castle on a property adjacent to an insane asylum. Dracula, it seems, is in search of new blood... and a new immortal bride to continue his lineage. He is immediately drawn to Luct Seward, the daughter of the doctor who runs the asylum, and her friend, Mina Van Helsing, daughter of Abraham Van Helsing. Most of the film involves the seduction of both of these women, and Van Helsing's attempt to identify the predator and thwart his plans.
The film is at its best when Dracula is on the prowl in the stylish, moody setting. The special effects are adequate for the era. The problem is that Dracula seems to have a bunch of different powers that are incongruent. He can become a bat. he can become a werewolf. He can scale buildings like Spider-man. He can become invisible. None of it seems to make sense. Why climb a building when you can fly? Why run around as a werewolf when you can become invisible? The story would have been better with a smaller, more consistent set of powers.
As always, I monitored the tobacco-use in this film. I am happy to report that there was no use of tobacco in the films, earning this film a SmokeScreeners rating of No Butts!. http://tinyurl.com/dcp38d