User Reviews

Few years ago then I was aimlessly going through some of the video stores in our capital, when I came across this: a new version of Dracula. Not only that, but the DVD had two versions of this film: an edited hour and half long, and the original three hours long that was originally aired on TV in two parts. Now, I hadn't heard anything about this film and I wasn't expecting much, but it was cheap and as a dedicated fan of Bram Stoker's book I knew I would have to see it. So I bought the film and watched the edited version first. At best it was only an okay film. However, sometime later I embraced myself to watch the longer version and was surprised to find that it was a very good film.

Plot is surprisingly accurate to Stoker, with the difference that it is moved to present day Budapest. An American solicitor Jonathan Harker (Hardy Krüger jr.) and his girlfriend Mina (Stefania Rocca) are about to get married and have invited their best friends Lucy (Muriel Baumeister), Quincy (Alessio Boni) and Arthur (Conrad Hornby) to Budapest. At the time they also befriend with a local doctor, Johan Seward (Kai Wiesinger), who is in charge of an asylum and an especially interesting case of Mr. Roenfield (Bret Forrest), which has required the presence of Seward's former teacher, Professor Enrico Valenzi (Giancarlo Giannini). Just when the engagement has been announced, Harker gets an interesting job offer from a mysterious Vladislav Tepes (Patrick Bergin) who wants Jonathan to travel to Romania to meet his uncle, Count Tepes, who lives in a remote castle. Although the opening of the film may seem a little forced modern version of Stoker's book, the moment Jonathan arrives to Count Tepes' castle, film follows Stoker's book with a surprising faithfulness.

I don't understand why so many are against this film, maybe they have seen only the edited version. Sure, the film has many bad qualities, it is a TV film so budget is low, actors sometimes mediocre and special-effects downright ridiculous, but if you can just ignore those and enjoy this as a version of Bram Stoker's novel, you will not be disappointed. Many times I've heard how the fans of the book complain that there is not a movie faithful to the book. Well, this is set in modern day environment, but it follows the book so accurately you just have to forgive it. The makers of the film have been wise enough to film this in Budapest, that still has the feeling of an old world with it, and suits to the story a lot better than modern day London or New York. Also the Dracula's Castle here is an actual Romanian castle, which I think is a hundred times more eerie than any Hollywood set design.

Patrick Bergin may not be the first name to come to mind when thinking of Dracula, but he does a good job. Nothing Christopher Lee level, but his own version. Of all the Draculas there has been, Bergin especially makes his Dracula a warlord, a very straight relation to Vlad Tepes. Often his Dracula speaks about the Final Battle coming and how it is time to have grand days back. Bergin's Dracula is a tired warlord, who has spend centuries hiding in a castle, but who has sensed coming new battles and is ready to start his own crusade once more. He also looks down on humans very openly, many times challenging them to a battle of wits. Bergin, funnily enough, looks very much like Vlad Tepes from the portraits. Aside of Bergin another performance worth mentioning is Giancarlo Giannini (most famous probably from appearing as Mathis in recent James Bond movies) as Professor Enrico Valenzi, the Van Helsing of this film. Although the name is changed, probably to explain Giannini's heavy Italian accent, Valenzi is very much Van Helsing if I ever saw one. In fact, I think Giannini does amazing work here, many times stealing scenes from others, and going right there with Peter Cushing and Frank Finlay as one of the best Van Helsing's ever.

So, if you want to see a horror film with lots of special effects and action, see Stephen Sommer's Van Helsing, but if you want to see a good movie version of Bram Stoker's novel, this is it. Mind you, three hours long version is better, but if you loved the book, it is worth seeing.

I didn't liked this movie very much, because I found that it was not very well explained:

Some facts about Lucy and her encounters with Dracula , and also Quincy's death are not well elaborated.

One of the most beautiful things in Dracula's story, is about his romance with Mina Murray, that is not even mentioned. [ I am a big fan of the book of Dracula's story]

But there is a cool fact: The idea about adapt the story, told centuries ago, to the modern days is appealing. I loved to see Jonathan driving a fancy car!

My vote is six.

This is quite an interesting series not because of its faithfulness to Bram Stoker's novel but because it introduces modern versions of the characters and as the novel reported Stoker's concerns for the problems of his time this one reports our concerns for our own time.Spoilers ahaid.

As in the novel Vlad Tsepes, here caling himself Count Vladimir Tsepes, decides to leave his castle and move to the west.Here his reasons are that he feels tired from Rumania's decline and the seclusion of his life during the last centurie or so.Thus he decides to move to Budapest of Hungary.He wants to raise an armie of vampires and he goes there to search for recruits since he now only has three female vampires.

There he discusses he pursuits the Carfax manor by doing some illegal business with businessman Jonathan Harker.He also wants Jonathan's help in turning his colection of paintings, jewels and his gold deposit to cash.Jonathan's friends fellow businessman Quincey Morris, specialising in money swindles, and Arthur Holmwood, a British diplomat that is in a dept and is realy in need of money offer to help.Though Jonathan and Arthur have their doubts about the deal Quincey convinces them that money is all that matters and its one true power that makes the world go around.

Along with the three are Jonathan's girlfriend Mina Murray, with strong moral values and does her best to help orphanages and hospitals, and her friend Lucy Westenra, a true sexual predator.She also introduces to the gang her new lover and Dr.Seward, much to Arthur's disappointment since he is love with her.

Dracula gets very interested in those three young men, hungry for money and power, Lucy who wants to sleep in many beds, in many cities , have new experiences and live for ever and Mina who wants to change the world and end human suffering.They all seem as fine recruits.Throughout the film Dracula tries to seduce all five of them into his own world, make them wish to become vampires.Focusing again and again on how hyprotical morality is and promising them the loss of their conciense that now bothers them.Convincing them that survival of the fittest is the proper way and even the strong can't save the weak.And referencing God's slaughters in the Bible to prove that humanity was created in his image, the image of a kiler.

There to stop him is the researcher of the occult and Seward's teacher Dr. Enrico Valenzi(instead of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing) the one who believes that Dracula can be defeated when he faces a strong will enpowered by faith.But throughout this film he raises more and more self-doubts and his will is almost broken by the end.

Its Mina, half-way through her transformation to a vampire, that manages to make Dracula trust her and kills him as he holds her in an embrace.The films end with Mina still having the vampire's mark and how that affects is remain a question.

This film offers a unic take on the legend placed in our modern world , seen as corrupt, who seems to care only about money.Dracula's true power here is the power to make others doubt their beliefs and search for securitie ... in his grasp.Should be seen by those interested in a modern and truly seductive version of the immortal Vampire.

Major spoilers ahead - you've been warned

pros: The film is beautifully faithful to the original novel - with some changes, i.e., Quincey dies in the raid of Carfax, and Mina is the Killer of Dracula – which I personally love, her line afterwards is beautiful – the film is set in Modern Day and seems to carry some Religious overtones; which, is why Mina kills the Count – she is intent on saving the world, the overall theme of the film. There is absolutely *no love*between Mina and the Count, as Stoker never once included a reincarnation plot, Mina loves Jonathan and loathes the count – thank Palance's film for the reincarnated love story, which in my opinion belongs nowhere near the story, unless it's Mina and Jonathan. The modern setting does not hinder the film, it actually pokes fun at horror tales, referencing that Dracula might have been played by Boris Karloff in their universe. The characters are fun, I will never say that they are great, the script works against them, but they are fun: Mina challenges the Count at every step she has with him, Jonathan is a conflicted soul, Quincey is vapid, Arthur is whiny, and Lucy is so much fun – she has so much fun playing the coquette. Van Helsing "Enrico Valenzi as he's called in this" is the ever-knowing Vampire Hunter, and he's good at it.

Bergen as Dracula is miscast, however, he plays his part well – both as the old man - with his homoerotic tones towards Jonathan - and as the younger 'Nephew' in the Budapest scenes. Overall this film is beautiful for what it has to work with; it's not much, don't go in expecting any award winning material, it is fun however to watch, and I am grateful I got that chance. Cons: The film is made on a MFT budget, which is neither here nor there, however it shows in the effects, lack of nudity, and special effects – but, ask yourself: are all the gratuitousness necessary in retrospect - although I would not have minded a butt-shot of Hardy Kruger Jr. or a bit more erotic evil in the case of Muriel Bauermeister. There is an original 3-hour film, which is not available to American Audiences and probably clears the air with some unfinished plot holes "Reonfield's Wife, Reonfield himself, the Weird Sisters "the Brides of Dracula" – so the diced film works against it.

overall view: personally I give it 10/10 because I have seen so much worse when it comes to Dracula adaptions, and this one, by comparison is the Oscar-Winner, Academy-Winner, and others, simply by comparison. Steffania Rocca and Muriel Bauermeister are GORGEOUS as Mina and Lucy Hardy Kruger Jr. and Kai Weisinger are delightful as Harker and Seward. Hardy Kruger Jr. is such a hunk. Bergen - although miscast - and Giannini are nicely done in their roles.

However, I suggest you make your own interpretations of this film, and if I must give an unbiased review, then I saw 7/10

the budget, sets, effects, and script work against it, as does the dicing and unfinished plot lines – that's it, really.

This movie is stunningly beautiful.

I have hunted down the Italian DVD and watched the complete 173 min version. Fantastic!

Even though it sets the story in the modern age, it is amazingly faithful to the original novel. For example, the "blooper lady" abducting children scene is present in this version, something usually ignored in other adaptations. This movie is faithful to the original novel in terms of not only story, but also vibe.

This movie has the best Dracula. "You must love me!" The Count is elegant, charismatic, cunning, and glamorous, unlike Gary Olman's portrayal from the disgustingly awful 1992 Dracula, which was entirely the opposite in addition to being unintentionally funny at times.

I adore this movie. It dares to be creative with the source material without being outrageous. Unlike Coppola's godforsaken 1992 movie, there is no "Dracula and Milla falling in love" bullshit in this one.

The cast is terrific and gorgeous. The score is beautiful and moody. The cinematography is breathtaking. They chose terrific locations to shoot the movie.

This movie is a hidden gem. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to witness its glory. Not everybody is that lucky. It is also a testimony to the fact that critics are useless, and that this is the age of geeks. This is one of those wonderful and rare vampire movies. Only die-hard vampire movie fans can appreciate its beauty.