Frank Langella brought his acclaimed role of Count Dracula from Broadway for a film version. The ultimate Dracula Bela Lugosi also did Dracula on Broadway before going to Universal to play his career role.
For the screen version a couple of veteran names got into supporting roles. Donald Pleasance plays Dr. Seward and the great vampire nemesis Dr. Van Helsing is none other than Laurence Olivier.
For those familiar with the Bela Lugosi Dracula it follows the story line fairly closely with a couple of major exceptions both involving Van Helsing. For one thing the young girl who dies played by Jan Francis is Van Helsing's daughter. The confrontation between the undead Francis and Olivier when Olivier and Pleasance are vampire hunting is a frightening one. The other thing I will not reveal lest it spoil the ending. I will say the added dimension of fatherhood for Van Helsing's character is something new and special.
Langella himself is pretty frightening as is Kate Nelligan as Lucy Seward whom Dracula selects for a new bride. At least until Trevor Eve as Jonathan Harker and Olivier affect a rescue as in the original story. The rescue itself is far from the one in the Lugosi Dracula. Still most effective.
Fright fans get ready for a big fright.
For the screen version a couple of veteran names got into supporting roles. Donald Pleasance plays Dr. Seward and the great vampire nemesis Dr. Van Helsing is none other than Laurence Olivier.
For those familiar with the Bela Lugosi Dracula it follows the story line fairly closely with a couple of major exceptions both involving Van Helsing. For one thing the young girl who dies played by Jan Francis is Van Helsing's daughter. The confrontation between the undead Francis and Olivier when Olivier and Pleasance are vampire hunting is a frightening one. The other thing I will not reveal lest it spoil the ending. I will say the added dimension of fatherhood for Van Helsing's character is something new and special.
Langella himself is pretty frightening as is Kate Nelligan as Lucy Seward whom Dracula selects for a new bride. At least until Trevor Eve as Jonathan Harker and Olivier affect a rescue as in the original story. The rescue itself is far from the one in the Lugosi Dracula. Still most effective.
Fright fans get ready for a big fright.