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Dracula 1979 - The original theatrical color version (Released) — Page 3

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Just finished watching “Dracula, the 35mm Silver Screen Edition” in a 3 meters white wall at home using a digital projector and the Oppo 203 UHD-BD player plus a home theater audio system and the movie looks and sounds magnificent, especially compared with the crappy regular BD, dvd, and Laserdisc previous versions.

The picture looks clean, sharp, vibrant and powerful. It made me remember how beautifully shot this film was. I can’t believe it was considered “too gory and modern” when it was premiered. I even enjoy that seduction red laser dream sequence that all the people trashing the movie seem to hate, problably only because it comes from the director of “Saturday Night Fever” . In my opinion its totally fitting for a dreamlike sequence the same way Roger Corman used blurry colorful filters making dreams look like LSD trips in some of its classic Edgar Allan Poe adaptations.

In my opinion Langella’s Dracula had the bad luck of being released at the same time with spoof “Love at First Bite” and Werner Herzog’s “Nosferatu” (which in my opinion is highly inferior not only to Murnau’s masterpiece but also to Badham’s Dracula) So, almost nobody took the film seriously.

As I see it, the test of time has been kindest to this version than the celebrated Coppola version or even the usually OTT Hammer Films starring Christopher Lee. Watching it nowadays feels like seeing a Merchant/Ivory horror film, especially compared with some of the latest crap about the inmortal Count and other vampires. I’m talking about that ‘thing’ called “Dracula Untold” of course.

So, If you’re a fan like me or want to see the movie for the first time I totally recommend you to ask ITHoTMK the link and enjoy “Dracula” (1979) the closest way it was conceived.

And let’s all cross our fingers to see a “40th Anniversary Edition” on 4k or Blu ray next year with a theatrical version scanned from the original negatives or the best print available. If its happening with the soundtrack, why not with the film?

Thanks again and awesome work, ITHoTMK

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 (Edited)

Someone put the ITHoTMK’s work on Myspleen.org as a torrent,
with the title “Dracula 35mm Full Colour Restructure”
I hope that ITHoTMK is agree with this?

John Williams & Star Wars fan !

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countdraacu said:

Just finished watching “Dracula, the 35mm Silver Screen Edition” in a 3 meters white wall at home using a digital projector and the Oppo 203 UHD-BD player plus a home theater audio system and the movie looks and sounds magnificent, especially compared with the crappy regular BD, dvd, and Laserdisc previous versions.

The picture looks clean, sharp, vibrant and powerful. It made me remember how beautifully shot this film was. I can’t believe it was considered “too gory and modern” when it was premiered. I even enjoy that seduction red laser dream sequence that all the people trashing the movie seem to hate, problably only because it comes from the director of “Saturday Night Fever” . In my opinion its totally fitting for a dreamlike sequence the same way Roger Corman used blurry colorful filters making dreams look like LSD trips in some of its classic Edgar Allan Poe adaptations.

In my opinion Langella’s Dracula had the bad luck of being released at the same time with spoof “Love at First Bite” and Werner Herzog’s “Nosferatu” (which in my opinion is highly inferior not only to Murnau’s masterpiece but also to Badham’s Dracula) So, almost nobody took the film seriously.

As I see it, the test of time has been kindest to this version than the celebrated Coppola version or even the usually OTT Hammer Films starring Christopher Lee. Watching it nowadays feels like seeing a Merchant/Ivory horror film, especially compared with some of the latest crap about the inmortal Count and other vampires. I’m talking about that ‘thing’ called “Dracula Untold” of course.

So, If you’re a fan like me or want to see the movie for the first time I totally recommend you to ask ITHoTMK the link and enjoy “Dracula” (1979) the closest way it was conceived.

And let’s all cross our fingers to see a “40th Anniversary Edition” on 4k or Blu ray next year with a theatrical version scanned from the original negatives or the best print available. If its happening with the soundtrack, why not with the film?

Thanks again and awesome work, ITHoTMK

Thank you very much for your kind words. I made it for fans like you, like me. Who only wanted to see the film in its original theatrical form. So long as it’s appreciated? It’s much appreciated. 😃

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botox1 said:

Someone put the ITHoTMK’s work on Myspleen.org as a torrent,
with the title “Dracula 35mm Full Colour Restructure”
I hope that ITHoTMK is agree with this?

I was messaged about this privately. I can’t and won’t stop anyone from sharing the film as it’s already in violation of copyright. However, I don’t appreciate the change in title. It wasn’t a full restructure by any means. And “DRACULA The 35mm Silver Screen Edition” is what it should be called.

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I believe MySpleen torrents can have their titles changed if I’m not mistaken.

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ChainsawAsh said:

I believe MySpleen torrents can have their titles changed if I’m not mistaken.

Hope they do. I’m glad it’s being shared and people will see it. My only goal is for fans to enjoy it and hopefully for Universal to see the light, or is this case the dark 😉, and release the original theatrical version officially. Especially now that the Deluxe Edition remastered score is now available.

https://www.varesesarabande.com/products/dracula-the-deluxe-edition

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 (Edited)

Hi ITHoTMK,
Thank you so much for your hard work on Dracula.
I got it off MySpleen last night and watched it this evening.
So I thought I should come say a big ‘Thank You’.
The title has been changed to…
‘Dracula 35mm Silver Screen Edition By ITHoTMK’
Thanks again
SirDobbo

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Sir-Dobbo said:

Hi ITHoTMK,
Thank you so much for your hard work on Dracula.
I got it off MySpleen last night and watched it this evening.
So I thought I should come say a big ‘Thank You’.
The title has been changed to…
‘Dracula 35mm Silver Screen Edition By ITHoTMK’
Thanks again
SirDobbo

Thanks for letting me know. So long as they retain the original title as it was intended. There may be a version available in the future with the optical titles properly restored. We’ll see.

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Just got this off the spleen. I dont lurk around OT.com as much as I used to. I have to tell you this is one my favorite things to ever pop up here or anywhere. I grew up on a pan and scan VHS of this title, and was very disappointed when the DVD came out. I knew right away it was… different.

I scanned through this and it looks amazing. cant wait to watch it in its entirety.

Thank you.

aka nostromo777 on myspleen

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Echo3 said:

Just got this off the spleen. I dont lurk around OT.com as much as I used to. I have to tell you this is one my favorite things to ever pop up here or anywhere. I grew up on a pan and scan VHS of this title, and was very disappointed when the DVD came out. I knew right away it was… different.

I scanned through this and it looks amazing. cant wait to watch it in its entirety.

Thank you.

Thanks! Much appreciated. Just hope it leads to a proper release some day. So much was drained out of the image that it was impossible to fix everything. This is close but not all the way there. Still, better than having to watch the Bluray in its current stage.

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This was the only “R” rated movie I was ever able to talk my Mom into seeing with me (well, taking me to see it is more exact, as I couldn’t get in on my own at the time). We were mesmerized. I remember Mom commenting “He could bite me in the neck…” and I just about fell on the floor. I understand Badham’s desire to fulfill his “original vision”, but to enforce it for eternity after fans have already been bitten by the full color glory?? SACRILEGE!!

I would so love to be able to treat Mom to the version we saw originally. That it’s even a possibility due to another fan’s hard work and expertise is cause for celebration and a HUGE thank you!!!

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Just a heads up for anyone interested. Now that I’ve had time to sit with the film after all the work has been done I’m already looking to tweak it a bit. There’s a tonal range I’m looking to fill in and bring out the film a bit more. If anyone is interested please let me know and I can share the new link privately when it’s done.

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ITHoTMK said:

Just a heads up for anyone interested. Now that I’ve had time to sit with the film after all the work has been done I’m already looking to tweak it a bit. There’s a tonal range I’m looking to fill in and bring out the film a bit more. If anyone is interested please let me know and I can share the new link privately when it’s done.

I’ve updated the sizzle reel with a newly corrected version bringing the film closer to its original color grading.

https://vimeo.com/295047399

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 (Edited)

ITHoTMK said:

Just a heads up for anyone interested. Now that I’ve had time to sit with the film after all the work has been done I’m already looking to tweak it a bit. There’s a tonal range I’m looking to fill in and bring out the film a bit more. If anyone is interested please let me know and I can share the new link privately when it’s done.

I’d be delighted to check out your new color upgrade on the film. So count me in and send me the new link when its ready, please.

Thanks

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Love this movie. Saw it in the theater originally. I did recently get a dvd copy but not the same! I would love to see your version. Can’t believe for the cheesy films on TV this has been forgotten.

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meikobob said:

Love this movie. Saw it in the theater originally. I did recently get a dvd copy but not the same! I would love to see your version. Can’t believe for the cheesy films on TV this has been forgotten.

Thanks. The sizzle reel has been updated with the latest and final pass on the color work. I removed the previous link being shared though I’ve been made aware it’s been uploaded as a torrent file. That version will not not be the same as this one. I will privately share the link as soon as it’s ready.

https://vimeo.com/295047399

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Alucard said:

Thanks.

If I were to get this Laser disc how whats the process to burn to DVD?

tho i have yet to gain a player, i do my captures using a sony professional DVD recorder, with what i need hooked directly to it, and usualy just save to its hard drive

Im that guy who likes megazone 23 a little too much

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Small update for those interested in the next version with the adjusted and final color pass for DRACULA 35mm Silver Screen Edition. It’s done. I’ll have it uploaded very shortly and available early next week. Cheers.

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ITHoTMK said:

Small update for those interested in the next version with the adjusted and final color pass for DRACULA 35mm Silver Screen Edition. It’s done. I’ll have it uploaded very shortly and available early next week. Cheers.

Thanks for the update ITHoTMK. Looking forward to see the updated version of an already great looking Dracula 😃

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I’ve finished and updated the latest and final version. I’ve messaged you all with the new link. If I missed you please feel free to PM me. Cheers.