In addition to winning Oscars for make-up and costume, Bram Stoker's Dracula won for Best Sound Effects Editing, and rightfully so. The audio mix is nicely balanced and used to punctuate the story by providing feeling. You won't be blown away by the unexpected swells of bass that have come to pass for great sound mixes. But the sound will effectively enchant you into this dark, weird world.
Special Features
This Blu-Ray release has been given beautiful artwork that shows off the nuanced vision of the film. The picture on the cover might be one of the best movie posters in history. And while I am disappointed there is no full-colour booklet of images inside, the menus and interactive design are gorgeous.
It comes with over 30 minutes of deleted scenes, some in a degraded, unfinished quality. Many of these scenes were unquestionably nixed for the better, or condensed into other scenes, so don't expect to find anything mind-blowing here.
Coppola's audio commentary is enthusiastic and enjoyable, even if he does repeat himself and talk too much.
A making-of documentary and segment on the costumes are interesting, but are not as exciting as the documentary on the visual effects which gives a glimpse into how much unseen magic went into the production. Studios simply do not shoot films like this any more, and this extra gives insight on how the technologies of illusion have evolved over the years.
In Sum
Bram Stoker's Dracula on Blu-Ray is the closest thing to a definitive edition on the market. Previously unseen special features, well-considered packaging, and a nice transfer will leave fans of the film happy and help those not so inclined to appreciate a more contemporary, experimental approach to a classic horror story.
I give the movie and the Blu-Ray release 8.5/10. While I'm usually a stickler for marks as high as these, Bram Stoker's Dracula is one of my favorite love stories, and the most satisfying guilty pleasure in my media library, and this Blu-Ray edition is the best one yet.
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Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Great article, Eric. Oh, and I'd watch Gary Oldman reading the phonebook. He is just an amazing actor, and he shines in this one for sure.
2 - Eric R. Schiller
Thanks Victor. I totally agree about Oldman - best character actor out there. Some of the footage of him arguing with Coppola behind the scenes are hilarious - he's in a white wig and 50-foot silk robe arguing about motivation and blocking.