release year: 1979
genre: horror
viewing setting: home DVD, 11/16/99
what I expected: another stab at this genre
what I got: a slight variation on the story
synopsis: Count Dracula moves in next door and bad things ensue.
impressions: Although it took certain liberties (condensings would be a better term, e.g. Harker never traveled to Transylvania and Dracula's castle) with the basic Dracula story, I liked it. It had good music, good dark scenes, and generated some genuine creepiness. This movie, moreso than many before and after it, was able to set up a mood. Also, this Dracula wasn't as pained by the sunlight as the common story would have it, and at times (e.g. his little speech to Van Helsing and Seward) you really got a sense of how old and powerful he was...just from his talking. Needless to say, Frank Langella did an outstanding job as Dracula.
acting: Aside from Langella, who I just praised, the film featured Sir Laurence Olivier as Van Helsing and Donald Pleasance as Seward. Another notable role was Lucy - that woman looked creepy when she shifted back and forth from old-Lucy to Dracula's-Lucy.
final word: Worth seeing, despite minor liberties taken with the tried and true plot.
rating: B