Originally released in 1992, Bram Stoker's Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, had an incredible look and feel. The sets, costumes, and all the visual aspects of the film were incredibly rich and complex. Happily, the same is true of the collector's edition of the DVD, a two-disc set, released on October 2.
The film is just as visually entertaining now as it was 15 years ago, with all the effects appearing as elegant and as "real" as they ever did. Several of the DVD extras in the set focus on this, including one featurette on how the effects were created "in-camera" rather than through the use of computers. It provides a fascinating look at how incredible effects can be created using just one's imagination. Some of the effects that look the best turn out to be the easiest to create.
Rather than spoiling the magic of the movie, learning about the effects only seems to enhance the magic that surrounds the film and the character of Dracula himself, which is played to perfection by Gary Oldman. Oldman, in every frame, exudes not only evil, but a depth of emotion and love.
Francis Ford Coppola masterfully recreates Bram Stoker's quintessential vampire tale as one of love. The story follows Count Dracula as he movies from Transylvania to England, in search of the reincarnation of his one true love, Elisabeta.
In the prologue to the movie, believing Dracula dead, Elisabeta commits suicide, which in turn prompts Dracula to turn from the Church and become a vampire. Years later, she is reincarnated as Mina Murray (Winona Ryder), who is engaged to Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves). Dracula imprisons Harker in his castle in Transylvania after Harker helps him purchase London real estate, so that he can pursue Murray.
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