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Count Dracula [1977]


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The definitive adaptation
Review date: 2008-10-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

After the disappointment at the BBC's 2006 version of the Bram Stoker novel, an antidote is now on offer in the form of the Beeb's previous visitation to the tale back in 1977 and one regarded by many as the best adaptation ever. Directed by Philip Saville, Count Dracula stars Louis Jordan as the titular vampire with Frank Finlay as arch nemesis Van Helsing. The BBC promised at the time that this would be the most faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker's work ever and at a running time of two and a half hours (later serialised into three episodes for repeats) it certainly proved the case.

Jordan acquits himself with an understated performance that has had many praise him as one of the very best Counts. He wisely avoids the "Drrrracula" accent that Lugosi turned into a cliché and simply allows his French flavoured tones to signal his character's otherness. Jordan's youthful for his age looks also give the impression of a man older than he apparently seems.

Frank Finlay is memorable as Van Helsing, but any awards for supporting actors must go to Jack Shepherd as Renfield. Like Jordan, Shepherd avoids the usual over the top performance that most actors have invested in the part. This is a strangely calm lunatic, seemingly reasonable rather than ranting but with a power behind those eyes; a perfect foil for Jordan's Dracula. In the scene where Dracula kills Renfield in his own cell, the Count suddenly appears sat next to his servant and asks calmly why he betrayed him. More like someone giving counselling than about to take revenge.

An this is another point about Gerald Savory's script. While it stays close to the novel, it does not stick too close for its own good. The main problem in adapting Stoker's work is that Dracula has virtually no voice in the post Transylvania scenes. He is a distant figure in the crowd or a or an animalistic creature who snarls as he grabs his money from under the noses of those hunting him down. Indeed, Savory's translation of that scene is one of the production's highlights, as this transcript will demonstrate.

We are at Chesterfield Close in Mayfair. As Harker and Van Helsing are at work, the Count slopes in unnoticed and takes a roll of banknotes from a drawer. He slams the draw shut to attract their attention. Van Helsing produces a crucifix and recites a prayer of exorcism in the Roman tongue:

Dracula (laughs): Yes, yes it always sounds more convincing in Latin, doesn't it professor. You give an order to retreat.
Van Helsing: We guard ourselves from your touch.
Dracula: Using a cross as a talisman. An instrument of torture and humiliation.
Van Helsing: A Symbol of trouble and trial by which our Christian faith is tested.
Dracula: You seek to destroy me. Why?
Harker: Because of what you are and what you have done.
Dracula: We must survive, all of us. The blood of a human for me, a cooked bird for you. What is the difference?
Harker: The difference between good and evil
Dracula: I am bound to this earth, I make it my domain. You will die in a miserable and allotted span. I have centuries before me.
Harker: Why did you ever leave your castle?
Dracula: We must recruit disciples. Just as your leader has done.

Savory's dialogue furnishes the Count with a very convincing argument. Apart from dismissing the power of religious faith as a blanket of mystical sounding words and symbolism, Dracula makes the point that the Christian deity and his have more correspondence than Harker or Van Helsing will admit; after all, is not drinking the blood of Christ a integral component of catholic communion? While the idea of Dracula's trip to England being motivated by his own brand of missionary work carries a certain irony. A reverse colonisation.

Savory's material is expertly realised by director Saville who imbues the vamping scenes with a haunting poetry. The subjective experience of the victim being mesmerised or vamped is one of a surreal hallucinogenic trip, composed of distorted and conflicting memories; which makes some sense of why they seem to enjoy it. A pity Hammer never thought of that.

The only slight gripe with the thirty year old production is the shifting picture quality between the studio and location scenes. It was standard in British television back then for drama or comedy to be studio recorded on sharp definition videotape with outdoor scenes shot on grainier 16mm film. While we were used to this mixture of media back then, it seems a tad jarring now and begs the question as to why the BBC don't digitally re master the tape to give a consistent look of film throughout. They have the technology.

The BBC's Count Dracula is a must have for the DVD collection of any Bram Stoker buff. It is also a lesson to any future director as to if you are going to do Dracula again, this is how it is done.


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Reviews


The Definitive Count Dracula!
Review date: 2008-05-15 Rating: 8 out of 10

As previous reviews have stated this version is the Most faithful adaption of Stoker's novel. Although it lacks Coppola's budget, it makes up for it with some splendid location shooting in Whitby and London's HighGate cemetary. I was suprised at how intelligently scripted it was, when I studied Dracula at school we were shown Dan Curtis' version with Jack Palance. Why I'll never know because this is leaagues ahead.
I completely disagree with the previous reviewer who claims Jourdan was miscast. Jourdan gives Dracula a sinister charm that no other actor (accept Bela Lugosi) ever matched. His courtly manners and French accent make him seem authentic. And there is menace in his every line. This is a throughly evil Dracula, not a love sick fop. Frank Finley makes a good Van Helsing, but the scene stealer is Jack shepard as Renfield.

The Closes Adaption so Far !
Review date: 2007-12-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is definitely the closes film version to the book. Unfortunately I have no idea why the makers decided to drop one of the key characters, Arthur Holmwood ? Instead the American character Quincey Morris becomes him in this version which explains Quincey Holmwood ? (Or does it ?)Still a great telling of the story & a fantastic Dracula in the guise of Louis (Gigi) Jourdan. But you can't help chuckling at Susan Penhaligan playing dead while Frank Finlay is stuffing her mouth with garlic before he decapitates her. A definite must for all Dracula Fan's.

Count Kamal Khan
Review date: 2007-10-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

The BBC's 1977 adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel is probably the most faithful version of Dracula in all of TV or film. Genuinely scary in places and benefiting from some great location shooting (that done in Whitby, a major setting of the book, is particularly effective), this two-parter hasn't been seen on British TV in many years, and has therefore slipped into obscurity (though according to the IMDb it's a Halloween TV perennial in the US). It follows the book's structure almost exactly, and benefits from fine performances by Louis Jourdan (as a debonair Count), Frank Finlay (whose Dr Van Helsing is pitched halfway between Peter Cushing's steely action man and Anthony Hopkins' grey-haired eccentric), and Jack Shepherd (the only actor I've seen who doesn't slice some prime ham as Renfield).

Though its faithfulness to the book is (rightly) championed by many, it has to be noted that a couple of changes to the story have been made; Arthur Holmwood and Quincy P. Morris have morphed into one character (`Quincy P. Holmwood'), whilst Lucy and Mina are here sisters, as opposed to the book, in which they are simply friends. Still, these changes don't affect the drama one bit. Far superior to the dire John Badham effort of two years later, the 1992 Francis Coppola version, and even the 1931 classic with Bela Lugosi, this 156 minute TV movie is second only to Terence Fisher's 1958 film Horror of Dracula as the best adaptation yet produced.

Count Dracula (BBCTV 1977)
Review date: 2007-10-07 Rating: 8 out of 10

Count Dracula (BBCTV 1977)

Billed as a 'gothic romance' written by Gerald Savoury, based on Bram Stoker's Dracula, this is clearly (albeit with some differences) the most faithful representation of Stoker's work, on this thread so far. The BBC have always done period dramas very well, & this has all the typically authentic hallmarks of such a production. As a 2 part tv adaptation of just under 3hrs long, this is the longest version of Dracula on the thread, & the attention to detail is evident throughout.
Although it begins right from Harker's departure from England, paying some attention to the long coach journey to Transylvania, it's not too long before Harker arrives at the suitably atmospheric location of Dracula's castle. I have to confess to having some mixed feelings about Louis Jordan's Dracula from his first appearance. His first scenes are very accurate to Stoker's novel, which is careful not to present the Count too obviously as the 'evil monster', & gives Dracula a certain ambiguous quality that i've touched on before, & to emphasize this the words are softly spoken, & the Count's welcome is as courteous as described in Stoker's novel. But these aspects are covered equally well in Christopher Lee's Dracula, & even Jack Palance's Dracula, but unlike them, Louis Jourdan, obviously fairly small of stature & with the good looks of a matinee idol, IMO he just doesn't look the part, & he lacks the imposing, commanding presence that such previous actors have brought to the role. His almost flat delivery of his lines during the early scenes in the castle, as exemplified by the 'Children of the Night' line conveys little of the fascination projected by previous incarnations, & my interest in the character is piqued by creative aspects brought to the production, such as seeing Dracula's pointed fingernails, & hairy palms.
This is reinforced in the Harker's shaving scene at the castle. I like the way that Dracula is unseen in the mirror, & even takes it from Harker, his unreflected hand tapping the glass before throwing it out of the window. But again, Jourdan's delivery & interpretation just seems far too laid back. His whole approach to the character doesn't have the undercurrent of menace that is normally present, albeit in a subtle way, even in these early scenes. Again, it's the visual pointers that have more effect for me than Jourdan himself, like the reaction to Harker's shaving cut. Whilst Jourdan matter of factly states: 'You've cut yourself', it's left to the visual effects department to remind the viewer that Dracula is no normal man, & i think Jourdan's Dracula needs as much help as he can get from the BBC's production team!
It's certainly nice to see the inclusion of Dracula scaling his bat-like way down the castle walls. Full marks to the BBC for that bit, which looks really good. I have yet further issues i'm afraid with the 'Brides' scene. It's not so much the Brides themselves, so much as the way Dracula deals with the situation. I like the surreal way in which the scene is presented, (it's all very 1970's) - the dreamlike quality is very effective, but i was disappointed with Dracula's restrained reaction, which i felt could've been done with more dramatic impact. Although i did think that seeing the baby brought for the brides to feast on, was a good bit. I thought the blood red eyes & blood on their lips & faces was very effective. However, despite my reservations about Jourdan, i think this version comes up trumps elsewhere, & i must commend Bosco Hogan for an excellent portrayal of Harker during the first 45 minutes of this production. I thought his confrontational scene with Dracula was particularly good, & i really like the scene where he discovers Dracula & the 3 brides in the vaults of the castle, & makes a futile attempt to kill the Count. Very eerie! I really like those blood red eyes.
Elsewhere, the production does well, too. Back in England, Susan Penhaligon & Judi Bowker are both good as Lucy & Mina. Like the previous version, the 'ship of death' is seen only upon it's 'arrival' during the thunderstorm, but the scene works well, as does the use of a real bat, perched at the head of Lucy's bed. The scenes where Lucy falls under the vampire's spell are good. I like the way Lucy walks as if she's literally being magnetically pulled somehow by the Count, & the scene where Mina discovers Dracula noisily grunting & slurping as he feeds from Lucy lend an effective animalistic touch, & visually the whole thing looks suitably spooky. The further feeding scenes are similarly effective, & i like the contrast between almost sexual like ecstacy that Lucy displays during the vampire's feeding, & the rather disconcerting gasping exhaustion of the aftermath.

In terms of pacing, i've previously watched this version in one go & had no problem with it, but after watching it for a second time with Part 1 & Part 2 over two nights, i found it even more beneficial. In Part 2, we meet Van Helsing, who comes to tend to Lucy in her plight. A veteran of much tv & film, i think Frank Finlay plays the part well, although i've yet to find a performance that i enjoy quite as much as Cushing's portrayal. Jack Shepherd's outing as Renfield is also noteable. Pysically, he's slightly remenicent of David Tennant, & he turns out the most memorable performance of Renfield so far, i think. Although with a lengthy production like this, there's more time to actually put into representing the character, & it does this version good justice. Other characters such as Quincy, with his obviously fake American accent, don't fare quite so well!
In Lucy's weakened condition, we see the physical effects of the Dracula's visitations, as she examines her own slightly more pointed teeth after Van Helsing's first visit. After Dracula's final visit, in which he first appears as a wolf rather than a bat, Van Helsing notices that she has no reflection in the mirror, & Susan Penhaligon does a nice job of Lucy's startling pre-death vampiristic outburst, which is followed by a much more animalistic appearance as a fully fledged vampire, who's already attacked a young child, & tries to work her deadly charm on Quincy, before she is thwarted by Van Helsing, & finally staked in a bloody end, before being decapitated.
The scenes where Van Helsing & his accomplices begin the search of the Carfax estate are full of splendid gothic atmosphere, & the BBC sets looks really good. Meanwhile, Dracula transfers his attention toward Mina. The scenes where Mina later visits Renfield give Jack Shepherd a chance fullfill his role as Renfield to great effect. His meetings with Mina cause Renfield to turn against the Count, but he meets a grisly end....... Later when Dracula returns for Mina, there's some additional Stoker dialogue in the scene where under Dracula's influence, she drinks of his blood, that hasn't been used in previous versions, & there's also an interesting exchange between Dracula & Van Helsing/Harker, where the Count speaks of the nature of vampirism, making a comparison between: "The blood of a human for me, & a cooked bird for you". Although Jourdan's performance is still rather too understated for liking, he does at least manage to convey a slight arrogance during this confronation, & dismisses Van Helsing's religious slant of protecting human souls, with such dialogue as "Souls? - There is no blood to drink in souls!" Again, reinforcing the animalistic nature of the vampire condition, rather than the supernatural one.
The production continues to remain faithful to the novel as Van Helsing & Co go after Dracula. I really like the night time attack by the 3 brides who are trying to entice Mina, who is half linked to Dracula, away from Van Helsing's protection, But of course they fail, & are staked by Van Helsing during the daylight hours which follow. The race to the castle is conveyed well, & there's quite a bit of action along the way between the two parties, as the Count's gypsies try to protect their master. But eventually of course, Dracula's curse is once again lifted as Van Helsing finally the vampire in quite a dramatic finale!
So ends the first television adaptation by the BBC. I find this an enjoyable version, for it's authenticity, it's marevelous gothic atmosphere, & good production values, which include some intriguing visual effects, which although may date the production slightly, i think they enhance it as well, & give this version a certain originality. As mentioned before: I think the pacing is fine. Despite being the longest version so far, it didn't flag for me at all, anymore than a good Who 6 parter from the 70's.
I think most the performances were fine. Bosco Hogan, Jack Shephard, & Susan Penhaligon particularly stand up well IMO, whereas Frank Finlay's Van Helsing was solid, if a little less inspiring than some of rest of the cast, & of previous Van Helsings. (though not Herbert Lom) I would say the same thing of Louis Jourdan's interpretation of Dracula. I wouldn't say his performance was bad, but his portryal was far too restrained, to put it mildly, & even a bit dull in parts. He didn't really come alive on screen for me. I wish he could've swapped places with Christopher Lee in the Franco version! His lack of presence would've been far more suited. I stress again that he wasn't terrible or anything, but he just had no real impact, & for me personally loses points for this largely great BBC production, which excelled in most other departments.
With a Count Dracula that i enjoyed more, this version would've scored an 8.5/10, but as it stands, my final decision is 7.5/10. But it's still a very worthy version, & one that's well worth seeing.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Jack Shepherd
Frank Finlay
Susan Penhaligon
Louis Jourdan

Creators:
Louis Jourdan (Primary Contributor)
Frank Finlay (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503248628
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-09-03
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 151 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1977
Language: English (Original Language)

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