Dracula 1979 - The original theatrical color version (Released) — Page 5

Does anyone have any details on this release beyond the advertised notes? Translated below.

Dracula (1979) (Blu-ray) koch films
http://www.kochmedia-film.de/blu-ray/details/view/film/dracula_1979_blu_ray/

ENGLISH TRANSLATION
This “Dracula” restores the pure character of his first film appearances in F. W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” (1922) and Bela Lugosis (1931). "(Roger Ebert)

In search of the likeness of his deceased lover, Count Dracula settles down in London at the end of the 19th century. The new environment soon succumbs to the fascination of the Transylvanian nobleman. However, when mysterious deaths occur in society, Professor van Helsing is called to help. He reveals the count as a bloodsucking undead and sets about hunting him in a cruel battle. (1 Blu-ray)

Based on the first adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, director John Badham (“The Flying Eye”, “War Games”) achieved a widely acclaimed, completely novel interpretation of the legendary material: instead of biting heartily-cruelly as usual, he drops Oscar ® nominee Frank Langella in the title role beguile his victims rather than bloodsucking charmer. Three-time Oscar® winner Sir Laurence Olivier as Professor van Helsing, assisted by Donald Pleasence (“Halloween”) as Dr. Seward is powerless at first, but then with resounding success.

GENRE HORROR
Film length approx. 109 min
Languages German, English
Subtitles German
Production Great Britain / USA 1979
Sound format DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Picture format 16: 9 (2.35: 1)
FSK from 16

EXTRAS
German Super 8 version of the film (about 36 min), German and original trailer, picture gallery with rare advertising material

ITHoTMK said:

Does anyone have any details on this release beyond the advertised notes? Translated below.

Dracula (1979) (Blu-ray) koch films
http://www.kochmedia-film.de/blu-ray/details/view/film/dracula_1979_blu_ray/

ENGLISH TRANSLATION
This “Dracula” restores the pure character of his first film appearances in F. W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” (1922) and Bela Lugosis (1931). "(Roger Ebert)

In search of the likeness of his deceased lover, Count Dracula settles down in London at the end of the 19th century. The new environment soon succumbs to the fascination of the Transylvanian nobleman. However, when mysterious deaths occur in society, Professor van Helsing is called to help. He reveals the count as a bloodsucking undead and sets about hunting him in a cruel battle. (1 Blu-ray)

Based on the first adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, director John Badham (“The Flying Eye”, “War Games”) achieved a widely acclaimed, completely novel interpretation of the legendary material: instead of biting heartily-cruelly as usual, he drops Oscar ® nominee Frank Langella in the title role beguile his victims rather than bloodsucking charmer. Three-time Oscar® winner Sir Laurence Olivier as Professor van Helsing, assisted by Donald Pleasence (“Halloween”) as Dr. Seward is powerless at first, but then with resounding success.

GENRE HORROR
Film length approx. 109 min
Languages German, English
Subtitles German
Production Great Britain / USA 1979
Sound format DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Picture format 16: 9 (2.35: 1)
FSK from 16

EXTRAS
German Super 8 version of the film (about 36 min), German and original trailer, picture gallery with rare advertising material

Hi, Countdraacu here…

I checked out Koch Media Films site but sadly I haven’t found further info about this new release of Dracula appart from what you’ve already shared with us. However, some time ago I owned from them (Koch Media Films) the blu ray of Jack Arnold’s classic “Tarantula” and I can tell you they use the same prints facilitated by Universal Studios, so since Scream Factory attempt failed I guess this new release its the same Universal washed out crappy print we love and hate, but now including new extras like the Super 8 reel german version and new pictures, etc… I imagine it they were using our desired original theatrical color timing print it would be prominently advertised. So I guess we’ll have to wait until its released and some amazon commenters share with us their reviews about it.

Crossing my fingers they prove me wrong and make us all happy!

Thanks for the heads up though, I didn’t knew this was about to be released again in Germany.

Merry Chritsmas btw, ITHoTMK 😃

No worries. I’m sure we’ll all be following this versions release and hopefully sharing the new Super 8 shortened version. Perhaps that feature is more reflective of the original theatrical release. Merry Christmas!

ITHoTMK said:

No worries. I’m sure we’ll all be following this versions release and hopefully sharing the new Super 8 shortened version. Perhaps that feature is more reflective of the original theatrical release. Merry Christmas!

I had the Super 8mm 2 part reel back in the day and watched it a lot of times. Shamefully it got lost in a move 😦

I just posted a review on amazon.de about the new realease asking Koch Media directly. Let’s hope they answer…

https://www.amazon.de/Dracula-Blu-ray-Frank-Langella/dp/B07LD4P3ZS/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Awesome. Fingers crossed but I won’t get my hopes up.

ITHoTMK said:

Weren’t you going to be working on your own version of Dracula in an attempt to restore the original color palette? After completing Superman: The Movie I thought I’d try my hand at another childhood favorite of mine. Like many, when I picked up the DVD, I was terribly disappointed that Universal had retained John Badham’s 1991 Laserdisc color grading. I wasn’t sure if it was entirely possible but I think I’ve managed to nail it given everything I’ve read about what was done to the film. Please enjoy this sizzle reel of the final work to come.

Dracula (35mm Silver Screen Edition Sizzle Reel)

https://vimeo.com/295047399

Did you complete the full color version of film and is it availiable to watch and download?

bloodmoon said:

ITHoTMK said:

Weren’t you going to be working on your own version of Dracula in an attempt to restore the original color palette? After completing Superman: The Movie I thought I’d try my hand at another childhood favorite of mine. Like many, when I picked up the DVD, I was terribly disappointed that Universal had retained John Badham’s 1991 Laserdisc color grading. I wasn’t sure if it was entirely possible but I think I’ve managed to nail it given everything I’ve read about what was done to the film. Please enjoy this sizzle reel of the final work to come.

Dracula (35mm Silver Screen Edition Sizzle Reel)

https://vimeo.com/295047399

Did you complete the full color version of film and is it availiable to watch and download?

Message me.

The Koch (german) Blu-ray was already released (March 14). However it’s the same crap again, apparently.

In Amazon.de they confirmed to be just like that Universal BD.

Here’s the comment from the Amazon page:

https://www.amazon.de/product-reviews/B07LD4P3ZS/ref=acr_search_see_all?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Peter V. says:

I just received this version and I must report that this is indeed the same, colour-drained, John Badham approved version from the previous Universal release and NOT the theatrical version with its lush, vibrant colours.

I’ll stick with the internet edited one, then, since no one wants to (or can) do a proper release.

Can you send me the link for the color corrected version of Dracula the 1979 version.

Thanks.
b.panther1973@gmail.com

Thank you so much for doing this, ITHoTMK. This was one of the earliest Dracula films I ever saw (as a child; unfortunately only on TV but thankfully with the original colors still intact), and it left quite the impression. I had been waiting for years to rewatch it when the DVD was announced and the disappointment I felt when I noticed it had been desaturated was so great I had to turn it off. Then came the Blu Ray and it was just as bad, albeit in hi def, so I never watched it. Your version is going to be my first time watching the movie in several decades.
I wonder, how did you go about getting the color back? From what I read, the Blu Ray seems to actually be missing some of the color information, so simply increasing the saturation can’t restore it. Did you somehow get the color from the old LD or TV broadcast?

Thank you and greatly appreciate all the kind words from everyone who has enjoyed this version of the film. Although, I should say this original version of the film as that was the goal but to restore the de-saturated version back to its original color brilliance.

That being said, and without getting too technical, the film was restored by researching the original technicolor process and replicating that process in a digital environment. Suffice it to say, a three strip RGB approach was used to re-apply the removed tints while pushing what information was available in the image as much as possible. It is by no means 100% but it’s pretty close and already superior to any VHS and/or LaserDisc copy in my opinion.

As I’ve said to many of you, hopefully Universal will see the light one day and restore this film to its original theatrical release. Fangs crossed.

For anyone interested, I decided to restore the theatrical trailer using the original audio with voice over by Percy Rodriguez. Unfortunately the opening shots had to be replaced due to optical titles and one shot not being in the final film itself. The titles were recreated from scratch and the color matches the DRACULA 35mm Silver Screen Edition. Enjoy!

DRACULA (Restored Theatrical Trailer)

https://vimeo.com/330017416

Anyway to get the links to this?

swingbelly said:

Anyway to get the links to this?

Links are provided via private messages. They are no permitted to be shared publicly.

@ITHoTMK I’ve sent you a pm after watching your trailer. Wow! I’m really excited to finally see Dracula 1979 again in color.

kingofrock said:

@ITHoTMK I’ve sent you a pm after watching your trailer. Wow! I’m really excited to finally see Dracula 1979 again in color.

Replied!

Someone mentioned that Shout failed to get this title to release- a shame as they (or Arrow!) would probably be the best option at this point. Clearly Badham would want his revised edition released and that could have been on a second disc in a deluxe set.

It truly is a shame that director John Badham decided to re-time the film digitally. I appreciate that he only was trying to capture what he originally had in his mind’s eye and I would have been more open to it had it been included with the original theatrical release version. I can think of Frank Darabont’s The Mist as an example where the filmmaker made the case for his B&W version of the film to better caption the tone he was gong for but he also rightly included the theatrical version as well. Fortunately, the original assets for 1979’s Dracula still exist in analog for and no doubt as a digitally scanned version with the color intact. I have no doubt that one day, we will eventually see the film as it was originally released.

Scream factory has announced a dual version release. Original and then desaturated. YES!

UFOclub1977 said:

Scream factory has announced a dual version release. Original and then desaturated. YES!

If you hadn’t told me I wouldn’t have believed it. Incredible. 😃 I doubt there’s much restoration in regard to that new transfer. Perhaps some noise reduction and smoothing but I am beyond thrilled, excited and eager to purchase this new version. I don’t consider any amount of work I’ve done a waste of time and hope those involved with the release saw this forum or watched the trailer realizing that this original theatrical version was still in demand. Scream Factory has done it again by honouring the fans and the work.

OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM SCREAM FACTORY

DRACULA (1979) (Collector’s Edition) – John Badham’s slick and sophisticated telling of the legendary story flies into our midst in a 2-disc set. Includes a new transfer of the theatrical version as seen in theaters in 1979 with full color as well as the alternate director-approved version of the film created in 1991 for home video with a muted color palette. Expected Release: November 2019.

Scream Factory has been wanting to do a release for seven years with the original color timing but Universal wouldn’t let them until this year.

ITHoTMK said:

UFOclub1977 said:

Scream factory has announced a dual version release. Original and then desaturated. YES!

If you hadn’t told me I wouldn’t have believed it. Incredible. 😃 I doubt there’s much restoration in regard to that new transfer. Perhaps some noise reduction and smoothing but I am beyond thrilled, excited and eager to purchase this new version. I don’t consider any amount of work I’ve done a waste of time and hope those involved with the release saw this forum or watched the trailer realizing that this original theatrical version was still in demand. Scream Factory has done it again by honouring the fans and the work.

OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM SCREAM FACTORY

DRACULA (1979) (Collector’s Edition) – John Badham’s slick and sophisticated telling of the legendary story flies into our midst in a 2-disc set. Includes a new transfer of the theatrical version as seen in theaters in 1979 with full color as well as the alternate director-approved version of the film created in 1991 for home video with a muted color palette. Expected Release: November 2019.

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT either! I didn’t thought we would see the day! Finally Universal and John Badham has come to their senses! Can’t wait to pre-order my copy. Soooo glad I avoid the Koch dvd now…

Congrats to all of us, Dracula (1979) fans. November can’t come quickly enough!

Ladies and gentleman, we have all waited patiently over the years for this to finally happen and here it is for pre-oder. Shout Factory presents John Badham’s 1979 release of DRACULA. A bluray cannot be made habitable in a day. And, after all, how few blurays go to make up a century. 😉

Dracula [Collector’s Edition] + Exclusive Poster
Released: November 26, 2019 • Available in US & Canada
Product SKU: 826663203707
No Reviews Yet
$28.43
List Price: $29.99 USD

https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/dracula-collector-s-edition?product_id=7228

Honestly, all the work that everyone has done over the years which led me to even attempt this restoration has been worth it given that we’re all going to benefit from an official release. I honestly look forward to comparing the work against the original theatrical release in HD and will gladly set mine aside to enjoy the film as it always should have been made available.

DRACULA (Restored Theatrical Trailer)
https://vimeo.com/330017416

DRACULA (35mm Silver Screen Edition Sizzle Reel)
https://vimeo.com/295047399

ITHoTMK said:

Ladies and gentleman, we have all waited patiently over the years for this to finally happen and here it is for pre-oder. Shout Factory presents John Badham’s 1979 release of DRACULA. A bluray cannot be made habitable in a day. And, after all, how few blurays go to make up a century. 😉

Dracula [Collector’s Edition] + Exclusive Poster
Released: November 26, 2019 • Available in US & Canada
Product SKU: 826663203707
No Reviews Yet
$28.43
List Price: $29.99 USD

https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/dracula-collector-s-edition?product_id=7228

Honestly, all the work that everyone has done over the years which led me to even attempt this restoration has been worth it given that we’re all going to benefit from an official release. I honestly look forward to comparing the work against the original theatrical release in HD and will gladly set mine aside to enjoy the film as it always should have been made available.

DRACULA (Restored Theatrical Trailer)
https://vimeo.com/330017416

DRACULA (35mm Silver Screen Edition Sizzle Reel)
https://vimeo.com/295047399

Hi
Unfortunately I live in Europe, so the region A Shout version isn’t playable here.

But I registered here because I saw this discussion - and would request a link to your restored version, please.

The less compressed, the better 😃 - bandwidth and harddisk space are not problems.

So far this seems the best I can hope for, and with the praise from other users, I am looking much forward to it.

Regards,
Asger

Asger said:

ITHoTMK said:

Ladies and gentleman, we have all waited patiently over the years for this to finally happen and here it is for pre-oder. Shout Factory presents John Badham’s 1979 release of DRACULA. A bluray cannot be made habitable in a day. And, after all, how few blurays go to make up a century. 😉

Dracula [Collector’s Edition] + Exclusive Poster
Released: November 26, 2019 • Available in US & Canada
Product SKU: 826663203707
No Reviews Yet
$28.43
List Price: $29.99 USD

https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/dracula-collector-s-edition?product_id=7228

Honestly, all the work that everyone has done over the years which led me to even attempt this restoration has been worth it given that we’re all going to benefit from an official release. I honestly look forward to comparing the work against the original theatrical release in HD and will gladly set mine aside to enjoy the film as it always should have been made available.

DRACULA (Restored Theatrical Trailer)
https://vimeo.com/330017416

DRACULA (35mm Silver Screen Edition Sizzle Reel)
https://vimeo.com/295047399

Hi
Unfortunately I live in Europe, so the region A Shout version isn’t playable here.

But I registered here because I saw this discussion - and would request a link to your restored version, please.

The less compressed, the better 😃 - bandwidth and harddisk space are not problems.

So far this seems the best I can hope for, and with the praise from other users, I am looking much forward to it.

Regards,
Asger

Please send me a private message.