countdraacu

Just finished watching my new Dracula Theatrical Cut which luckily, arrived earlier than I thought.

My thoughts about the release:

I would be eternally grateful to Shout/Scream Factory for insisting on getting the proper version of this film. But I must confess I have mixed feelings about the release too. Universal Studios and John Badham problably conspired to allow Scream Factory to scan ONLY a sub-par 35mm print, and that way make their crappy washed-out colors version look better than the how the film was photographed original by the great late Gilbert Taylor. Same as George Lucas did with the original theatrical versions of SW, TESB and ROTJ.

I don’t believe there isn’t a original negative theatrical available in their vaults.

I understand we all prefer this Blu ray than nothing, but this is not how I remember the film (which remains branded in my memory since I saw it on huge screens several times when it was out in 1979)

The print they’ve been allowed to use has a LOT of issues, and some perks over the washed out version. The major issues are the bland softness of the photography on some parts, like when Dracula arrives to diner at the Asylum at the beginning… and the last reels when Dracula takes Mina into the woods until the end. There are important stains in the picture there damaging the beautiful cinematography of Mr. Taylor and distracting too much.

The perks obviously are all the rest… like how much LIGHT this movie had in the darker scenes and in general. The lush matte painting shots coming to life, the lively and more realistic skin tones and the strength of the make-up of Mina in the famous scene where she’s impaled by her father which is once more scary thanks to the life of having the bright wolf eyes shining red. Unbelievable the amount of shadow detail which was lost in the “director’s version”.

So, like I said I’m happy and I’m not. I’m happy because I’ll finally be able to see the movie “approximately” as it was… but on the other hand in my mind there wasn’t any softness whatsoever in the previously mentioned scenes, dining or dancing. Mina and Lucy in bed too, etc… and those stains in the last reels make the watch a bit uncomfortable.

Anyway, I’m never gonna watch again the crappy director’s cut anymore, no matter how blind he was and still is about it. I wonder how he would’ve felt if Paramount forced him to release “Saturday Night Fever” in sepia and Monoaural when it was out on video.

Well, he did something similar to his best movie ever… “Dracula” (1979) which in my opinion remains the best version since Bela Lugosi’s and vastly superior to the rest of Badham’s filmography.

I still have to see all the extras but I see there are no interviews at all with anyone from the cast, John Williams or anyone else so they can’t be too good… sadly.

The quality of the movie remains magnificent in my opinion, and has aged more well than any other recent Dracula version. The only thing that stings a bit as outdated for me is the final make-up of Dracula destroyed on top of the boat, although I love that final scene in general.

Ok, those are my 5 cents, and knowing that is very unlikely I hope someone from Criterion Collection, Arrow Video, etc… someday decides to properly REMASTER this wonderful film some day. Problably I’ll be dead by then, so its good having at least a “so so” print of the original Theatrical version.

It should’ve been a LOT better though… but at least we can see now that great label at the end saying “When In Hollywood visit Universal Studios” Have been a while since I watched that in a video release.

Hi there,

You’re lucky to live in the US, I’m in Spain and my order still “ready to ship”, so with luck I’ll be watching the theatrical original color timing version I guess mid-december if not on 2020 😦 I hope someone posts a ripped version in the usual torrent sites sooner than that though.

While some of us overseas still waiting, here’s a detailed review of this wonderful collector’s edition that we’ve waited 40 years to see again in its original proper version. I hate when they talk about the “two versions” That never was a thing until home video release destroy the movie by the hand of Badham himself. To me, there is ONE and ONLY version of this DRACULA. The Theatrical Technicolor Print!

https://whysoblu.com/dracula-1979-collectors-edition-blu-ray-review/

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!

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

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 😃

ITHoTMK said:

The third and final version of the color correction of DRACULA 35mm Silver Screen Edition is now available. PLEASE PM ME FOR A LINK. I hope you can all appreciate the amount of work that went into this project. It is my hope that eventually Universal Pictures will re-release this film providing John Badham’s preferred grading as well as the original process when the film was released. I appreciate that we are all fans and previously own a copy of the film on Laserdisc, DVD and/or Bluray.

For those who previously had the link I’ve tried to message you all and update you on this new link.

As someone who has watched your previous versions of “Dracula” digitally projected on a big screen I must say your 12GB rendered version looks fantastic as it is. No need for bigger file at least for me.

Just commenting to the rest of the fans the John Williams Score of the film, recently remastered and expanded by Mike Mattesino for Varèse Sarabande is a total masterpiece. As someone who listened hundreds of times the MCA vinyl release I must say listening the new complete edition is pretty much “orgasmic” Contains the expanded/complete version and the original album release of one of William’s best original scores ever!

Once more, thanks a lot for the gift of a 3rd version of “Dracula” ITHoTMK. A great gift for all of us 😃

ITHoTMK said:

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.

Downloaded the updated version and made a quick side by side comparison with your first one on my iMac using Quicktime player. So, here are my impressions:

Since (thanks to Universal pictures) we don’t have access to a proper studio scan of the original negative with the original color timing, I have to rely on my memories of the theatrical showings I attended to back in the day. My most vivid memories of those are the golden warm tones of the technicolor photography by Gilbert Taylor, especially in skin tones and imho your first version is closer to that.

But, the new updated version enhances the whites and the blues bringing a more natural tone to the overall color palette. So, as I said, the problem is I’m not sure if “natural color” is something we could apply to the original technicolor version of “Dracula”

Luckily, I don’t have to choose since I like and have both versions stored for future viewings. And once more, I can’t thank you enough for that. Let’s hope some day Universal unleashes the original theatrical version for all of us die-hard fans of the movie as it was intended.

If my impressions change after watching it digitally projected I’ll keep you posted.

Many thanks for all your efforts in this project and my best regards

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 😃

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

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

Link received and ready to enjoy the movie this very after-noon. Thanks again

Hello,

I’m new here but a BIG fan of Dracula (1979) I just send you a PM, ITHoTMK and I would be delighted and very grateful to enjoy your work restoring the original colors to the film.