MovieChat Forums > Count Dracula (1978) Discussion > Ok, but Coppolas is the best Dracula ada...

Ok, but Coppolas is the best Dracula adaptation!


I've seen a few people say that this is the most faithful Dracula adaptation but even though it is more faithful than most other Dracula flicks I think it's watchable but a bit dull and Louis Jordan like in just about every other Dracula flick has the cape and fangs routine [as if they're all copying the now silly looking Lugosi Dracula] which i think looks camp and pantomime like as it's been parodied so many times and it's also nothing like the books description.

In fact I'd argue that Coppolas Dracula is no less faithful to the book than this film, possibly even more so. they both have their pro's and cons when it comes to faithfulness to the book but even though it has its faults [like all the other Dracula films] Coppolas captures the spirit of the book more than any other adaptation and it's also beautifully filmed. People keep pointing out there's more romance in Coppolas flick and maybe that's true but Dracula still goes after the women in just about every film adaptation and they portray him as a sort of tall dark and handsome womaniser [which is hardly anything like the book] including this one.

It's also more realistic and includes the different incarnations such as the aged Dracula, young Dracula which this version and other film versions don't do.











Spielbergs WOTW is an insult to HG Wells and Russell T Davies is the worst ever Dr Who writer!

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Personally i like both but Count Dracula wins due to having scenes shot in Whitby and theres nothing cooler than seeing your home in a film or TV program.

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I agree Wesker26 I was in Whitby in March it's absolutely beautiful, there's such a cool vibe to the place!
Count Dracula in my opinion is a lot truer to the spirit of the book than Coppola's and more entertaining too, the parts with Lucy in Count Dracula are genuinely creepy almost believable. Coppolla in my opinion went way over the top, I do like his film but as good or better than Count Dracula? please.

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WTF??? What film were you watching. Lugosi (nor Langella for that matter) NEVER wore fangs!

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No. Coppola's version is a kind. But effective critique. It Plainly SUCKED!!!!!!!!

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I'm sorry. But Lugosi. NEVER wore fangs. Dracula did (Again. You amateur critics must read the book. The fangs and cape WERE there).

Read the book. Then re-watch this movie. Then re-watch the F.F.Copola version.

Then re-post. When you have an intelligent comment to post!

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I've always liked Coppola's Dracula, but it's not THAT faithful to the novel.

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Coppola took lots of various ideas from the book, but basically constructed his own story. It was more faithful than most, but certainly not as faithful as this BBC series was. Coppola did indeed go over the top, and we don't need a love story between Dracula added to the mix in an effort to fix what isn't broken. I was very impressed with the BBC version, though even it is flawed to a degree.

* * * *
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The love story was not Coppola's own idea. The first film with that concept was the Dan Curtis one starring Jack Palance.

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Coppola's version has a reputation for being the most ridiculous adaption, especially the production design and costumes. I've yet to get past half an hour of it so I can't give a considered judgement but that moment when Dracula grabs a sword and screams "Yeeeargurgle* It is no laughing matter!" at a confused looking Keeanu Reeves, was enough to make me hit the stop button.

I did read a story - maybe apocryphal - that Coppala shut down the set one day when Hopkins and Oldman were trying to out-camp each other. I also recall a documentary on the film which depicted Oldman complaining to Coppola that he couldn't "wing" his performance. He needed guidance. I guess he didn't get it.

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I'd say this is the best version of Count Dracula I've ever seen. Coppola's version is good but it is very unintentionally campy in places it shouldn't be.

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Coppola took lots of various ideas from the book, but basically constructed his own story. It was more faithful than most, but certainly not as faithful as this BBC series was. Coppola did indeed go over the top, and we don't need a love story between Dracula added to the mix in an effort to fix what isn't broken. I was very impressed with the BBC version, though even it is flawed to a degree.


I agree with this.



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pro ego sum diabolus, pro ego sum nex.

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In fact I'd argue that Coppolas Dracula is no less faithful to the book than this film, possibly even more so.


I'd argue against that vehemently. Coppola's may or may not be the best adaptation, but it's definitely not the most faithful. It may preserve some details that the 1977 version doesn't but the entire heart of the movie is a love story that didn't even exist in the book. The '77 version is a straight up dramatization; Coppola's version is a reinterpretation.

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I'd argue against that vehemently. Coppola's may or may not be the best adaptation, but it's definitely not the most faithful. It may preserve some details that the 1977 version doesn't but the entire heart of the movie is a love story that didn't even exist in the book. The '77 version is a straight up dramatization; Coppola's version is a reinterpretation.

Agreed.

The basic story of the book is a classic battle between good and evil and the 1977 BBC effort presents this. The Coppola film has it as a sappy love story between the Count and Mina (who, conveniently is a reincarnated Elisabeta) that is not even hinted at in the book by Stoker.

Granted, the Coppola version has some nice visual touches. Among these are the spectacular sets and costumes, and the blue flames telling the locations of buried treasure, but in other areas the script strayed very far from the novel.

The strong point iof the BBC version, is its' fidelity to the Stoker story and the acting.

I am looking forward to observing my Hallowe'en tradition of watching this fine film. It is my favorite vampire film.

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I don't dislike Coppola's version but I wouldn't even put it in the top 5 adaptations.

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Best bat crawl up the wall of any Drac.

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