Horror of Dracula (Widescreen)

Generally, I'm in total agreement with the many fine reviews listed here, and I need to add two important caveats... Firstly, where are the interviews, film stills, lobby posters, not to mention commentary tracks and possibly isolated music track?!?

Secondly, with such a fine print, why is the colour balance slightly off, especially noticeable in the red-orange bias of the colour of blood? (Warner got it right with their DVD release of The Curse of Frankenstein and their VHS release of Dracula; why not here?)

Lack of Special Features: Horror of Dracula is considered to be one of the finest examples of British filmmaking as opinioned by Phil Hardy (editor of the Aurum Film Encyclopedia) and other film historians. It is reported by Christopher Lee to have single-handedly saved Universal Pictures from bankruptcy in 1958. It has a great worldwide following of filmgoers including directors, John Carpenter and Martin Scorsese.
The DVD of a film of this stature deserves a complete roster of special features! Warner, you own the exclusive rights to this classic (as told to me by a Hammer Films executive)... so where are they?!?
Actor Christopher Lee (Saruman from "Lord of the Rings") has many personal stories about this epoch making classic and I believe would jump at a chance to share them with film buffs worldwide in an in-depth DVD interview. (He did so with the DVD release of Hammer's lesser (relatively speaking) "Hound of the Baskervilles" on MGM DVD.) Lee's story of attending the New York premier of Dracula with fellow actor and good friend, the late Peter Cushing is fabulous and should be preserved on DVD for all to experience! Let's see and hear more touching anecdotes about the personal and professional relationship between two of the greatest acting duos in film history. (The conclusion of Lee's interview on the Baskervilles" DVD is very moving wherein he shows us how much he misses his friend and colleague, Peter Cushing. I want to see more of the heart of this powerful actor in current DVD interviews! (and movies!!!) This actor is capable of playing more than just great villains! What better movie than the one that put him "on the map"!
Composer James Bernard, who wrote the powerful and evocative music to Dracula would also have much to say about writing this classic score, and about the special demands of writing quickly for Hammer. This music was truly ahead of its time in taking seriously and respecting its subject matter!
Screenwriter, Jimmy Sangster has much to say about his fascinating formative days at Hammer and has done so in his books, but I would like to see him do it in an in-depth interview on DVD! For example, film enthusiasts would love to see him tell his story about what he did with the original Dracula script! (Second guessing fame is ironic!)
1958 is quite a ways off in time; sadly we will never have a current interview with Peter Cushing or director Terence Fisher on DVD... the point here is that time is of the essence with these talented people! Through Warner's apathetic approach to its release of this classic film, film buffs and film enthusiasts may never get to hear and see the insights and reminiscences of the original crew to this unique British masterpiece! This is living film history! Don't wait too long to correct this injustice to the world of film, Warner! You might not be able to...!!! I'm looking forward to the Special Edition of Horror of Dracula!!!!

A plea to filmmakers Martin Scorsese and John Carpenter... Please use your position to work with Warner to rectify an impending lost to the world film community!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews   Was this review helpful to you?

Report this

Lee is smooth as the Count, and Peter Cushing is a delight at Professor Van Helsing. These two were great together in other films, and it is too bad Cushing did not continue into the sequels (with the exception of the present day setting films). He would have made those films better and much more entertaining to watch.

A must have for any horror film fan.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews   Was this review helpful to you?

Report this