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BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA ***1/2 out of *****
 Genres
1992
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Written by Bram Stoker (novel) James V. Hart (screenplay) Cast Gary Oldman .... Dracula Winona Ryder .... Mina Murray/Elisabeta Anthony Hopkins .... Professor Abraham Van Helsing Keanu Reeves .... Jonathan Harker Richard E. Grant .... Dr. Jack Seward Cary Elwes .... Lord Arthur Holmwood Bill Campbell .... Quincey P. Morris Sadie Frost .... Lucy Westenra Tom Waits .... R.M. Renfield Monica Bellucci .... Dracula's Bride Michaela Bercu .... Dracula's Bride Florina Kendrick .... Dracula's Bride Jay Robinson .... Mr. Hawkins
 | You won't cure that iron deficiency
by licking razors. | When Francis Ford Coppola was making this film his production company American Zoetrope was in a serious financial situation. Much like when he was filming Apocalypse Now he in fact had to mortgage whatever he had and sell off assets to complete filming. In this case Zoetrope was on the verge of bankruptcy. Dracula saved them, the earnings from the film where enough to bring the company back to the surface. It was a risky choice none-the-less for the iconic director, the Dracula story is one of the most adapted pieces of horror property in cinema. How do you tell a story that almost everyone is familiar with and has been so cinematically for over 80 years since the dark prince’s cinematic debut in F.W. Murnau’s 1922 classic Nosferatu. Since that time both the character and story have seen many creative licences taken, so instead Coppola did an adaptation of the original Bram Stoker novel, with a few changes made for cinematic reasons.
Young real estate lawyer Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves) has been given an assignment to travel to Transylvania and have a deed signed by the elusive Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) who has recently purchased land in London. Harker soon finds himself in a gothic nightmarish village, at the top of which is Dracula’s castle. It is not long before the Count encounters a photograph of Harker’s love Mina (Winona Ryder) and is reminded of his once upon a time love Elizabeta. Entranced by her image the Count imprisons Harker in his castle to travel to London in search of his long lost love.
 | Winona discovers that Dracula
installed security cameras. | The Count finds Mina and begins a torrid seduction, but in order for Dracula to remain among the living he requires life and blood of others. He uses the life of Mina’s closest friend Lucy (Sadie Frost). Running a high fever brought on by a bite mark to the neck, her friends and family begin to worry about her health and the famous Professor Abraham Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins) is brought in to examine the poor girl. He discovers something sinister at play and suspects a Vampire at work. Harker’s escape and subsequent return to London with tales of Dracula’s hold on him only solidify Van Helsing’s suspicions, and the hunt for Dracula is on.
It’s been quite some time since I’d seen this film and I was looking forward to it immensely. I remembered certain images that stood out from the last time I viewed the film. Images that were haunting and beautiful, melodic and nightmarish, such as the train ride Harker endures to Transylvania as he’s dictating a letter to Mina. The image of Dracula walking across the frame as if he’s floating with his menacing shadow emblazed on the gothic walls of his castle, and most certainly the scene in which he licks the blood off of Harker’s razor. Coppola had a distinct vision for this film and the mood and atmosphere he created can be described as an elegant nightmare. His portrayal of the vampire’s lifestyle as romantic and sensual lent an eerie and disturbing feel that leaped from the screen.
 | Dracula is at his happiest when
designing jewellery. | These themes were aided by audacious performances from his amazing cast with the exception of Keanu Reeves (even Coppola openly criticised his own reasoning for casting him as he needed a hot young star to lure in the girls). Aside from Reeves’ less than excellent. but not entirely awful. turn as Harker, it’s Oldman who owns this film. His performance demands respect, he’s not just playing the Count, he is the Count, the raw emotion comes through in spades for what is certainly one of cinema’s most memorable character performances. Hopkins and Ryder also bring their experiences and presence to the film in stirring fashion. The scenes Ryder shares with Oldman are nothing short of amazing, considering rumours were abound that the two could not get along on set and constantly battled with each other. If this was the case they should be lauded as the two of the greatest actors in the world considering their electric onscreen chemistry.
Coppola has created a visually stunning rendition of one of horror cinema’s most prolific villains. A dark sensual tale that will leave you excited and drained (pun intended). The vivid imagery combined with fine talent make for an excellent film.
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