Which Dracula Film is Most Faithful to the Book?

[@schwakyl000]

We need this as a series. You could do one on Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Hunchback of Norte Dame... even non-horror books like Wizard of Oz. I see nothing but endless potential here!

[@dannywapbang]

Notre Dame isn't horror (I've only seen the Disney movie so)

[@LucyLioness100]

I’d enjoy all those. All endless possibilities

[@bbsj86]

@@dannywapbang I mean you're very wrong but sure

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

For Wizard of Oz, I'd say the 1982 Japanese animated version is the most accurate version I've seen, which was kinda disappointing, it's a 1980's anime, where's all the crazy nonsensical stuff? Other than the crazy stuff already in the story.

[@ruyman90]

What about a Christmas Carol, Moses, or most of the Grimm Brothers tales.

[@JTISREBORN]

I could listen to James talk about horror movies all day. It never gets old. His videos are so informative. I love it.

[@gyromurphy]

I do sometimes listen to James talk about horror all day. I'll Que up 5 or 6 monster madness playlists and put em on the big TV at work. The whole store gets bathed in Cinemassacre's glory.

[@goldfishprime]

Mhm, 33 minute James horror chat video? Yes, please

[@MidwestVillain_Z]

Yea wish he did a podcast, I can't imagine the work that went into this video

[@jonathanredford215]

Yeah you can tell it's a passion for him

[@ivans.191]

Right! I also like the fact that the way James talks about Dracula movies is almost the same as I wrote it in my book about history of horror movies. So it's like listening to a very close friend)

[@fillervision3]

Would you consider doing a similar video with the Frankenstein adaptations?

[@connorbrennan4233]

And Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Phantom of the Opera, Hunchback of Notre Dame?

[@carterscustomrods]

That's too easy... Young Frankenstein wins every time!!!!!

[@hectorsalcido4106]

The Wolf Man .

[@beetones4488]

I'll almost guarantee thats coming, and I can't wait!

[@bigredjanie]

That would be interesting... especially since in the Universal films, plot elements from the novel were basically split between the original and Bride of Frankenstein.

[@h_made_art9238]

Fun Fact, if we used this ranking on Robert Egger’s 2024 Nosferatu film, it would earn 24 points, tying with the BBC 06 version.

[@SmeagolTheGreat]

Thanks, was trying to get the list together in head from memory 😅

[@lindseyfrancesco4]

I counted 21, what did I miss?

[@petercapsanis5839]

I love this kind of content. Someone talking about a subject they're genuinely passionate and knowledgeable about. Not chasing any trend or grabbing for views. Just a horror movie nerd talking about something he wants to talk about.

[@ericfelds6291]

I have absolutely no interest in old horror movies, but I'd gladly sit in the same spot for hours just to hear James ramble on about them. His passion is infectious.

[@tenalpoen]

I'm pretty much the same. James is able to actually make me interested in something I'd otherwise not give much thought. I appreciate the effort he puts into his videos.

[@ivans.191]

Being a classic horror cinema nerd as well it's very interesting to me to listen to someone who shares the same views)

[@CaptWesStarwind]

Minor point, but when Gary Oldman portrays the younger looking version of Dracula, he has a moustache.

[@anubusx]

It deserves a point.

[@dannyt3522]

Capt'Wes Starwind but he ain’t old

[@jaketheberge1970]

@@dannyt3522 Maybe half a point.

[@dannyt3522]

Jake Theberge I can live with that lol

[@eldesgraciado6690]

It deserves 1/2 a point for including the 'stache even that the character is young. Also in Coppola's version 20:02 a letter from Johnathan states that the Count want him to stay so to teach him English ways. Another point missed.

[@matafuko]

The Coppola one has many surface level details which makes it look really faithful, but Mina's affair with Dracula fundamentally changes the story.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Exactly. The Coppola Dracula is an emotional rock star. In Stoker's book he was an unfeeling monster.

[@wwb16]

I think it makes him more interesting

[@alvaromorales6502]

People love Coppolas version, but making Dracula some sort of tragic lover really ruined the whole movie for me. Some characters don't need to be humanized, Dracula is one of them

[@NakedSnake85]

Having seen the Coppolas Dracula count(I made a funny)less times , I was suprised when I read the book, there was no romance between Dracula and Mina. Other than that, I think it was pretty faithful.

[@Buttcakes15]

Coppola was a huge fan of the book and made the original story infinitely better while also being deeply faithful.

[@pbxn-3rdx-85percent]

"But, but Lucy... I'm British." "And so are THESE!" Dracula: Dead and Loving It

[@kejiri3593]

My favorite part in the movie

[@remivangriensven9795]

Love that movie 😎👍🏻

[@UncleNemmy]

Poor Jonathan Harker

[@johnieamca]

Aahh children of the night.. what beautiful mess they make. Im count dra…..cula

[@jontodd1994]

The best version and arguably could of been included on this list

[@Fi_Ko93]

Holy shit its like ive watched 12 movies in an half hour! So much work has been done for this 10/10 video!

[@ivans.191]

I watch Dracula movies almost every week)). A couple of days I rewatched the Turkish version BTW. It's pretty good for sure)

[@heinzerbrew]

Did you actually watch it though? I had to just listen to the audio. I couldn't handle the lipsync. It was very good to listen to though.

[@heinzerbrew]

@Devonte Huntley When I watched it the audio and video were out of sync. it might have been you tube not the video.

[@sXeblues]

This was a helluva brilliant discussion, sir. Now, onto Frankenstein!

[@makaiev]

That should definately become a series...

[@CraigKostelecky]

@@makaiev Considering this single video took him roughly a half of a year to make, I don't think that will happen.

[@Frankenstein077]

Considering no film adaptation, with the possible exception of the Kenneth Branagh one, has even come close to the actual book, there's not really much point.

[@jamieserrano827]

Agreed

[@sXeblues]

Frankenstein077 I’ve yet to sit down and give it a proper read through... But, that’s interesting to learn. Thanks for the insight.

[@garboil]

Ill bet that the reason Franco’s Dracula had a moustache was on Lee’s insistence; Lee was remarkably well read and loved detail.

[@1845Raven]

I saw a video recently on Christopher Lee. Fascinating guy. His real life was more interesting than the characters he has played in the movies!!

[@Fedorevsky]

@@1845Raven His real life was more interesting than any character anyone has ever played in any movie.

[@calumbeaton4588]

You're right- in fact he only agreed to do the film if he was allowed to have the moustache

[@fenriz218]

Franco got the moustache right... which is about the only thing he ever got right in his entire career as a film-maker. But I'll agree with the comments: Lee was an impressive man (had the privilege and good fortune to meet him and his wife in person, a few years before he passed away). Almost seems, that there was in event in the 20th century that he wasn't somehow part of. From having met JRR Tolkien to his efforts in WW2 or having his relative, Ian Flemming, loosely basing the character of James Bond on him... check out the execution of Eugen Weidmann on KZbin, a serial killer and the last person to be publicly beheaded in France: there's a very young Christopher Lee standing in the audience.

[@hostiusasinhostilityhostil7853]

@@fenriz218 That's pretty insane. I didn't know he was Fleming's step-cousin.

[@Aquascape_Dreaming]

It could be argued that Coppola's version does include Renfield begging for his freedom, because immediately after talking with Mina, he cries out to the Dr, 'Dr Jack! I'm no lunatic, I'm just a sane man fighting for his soul!'

[@jamesh1758]

I thought this too. Also the point about Dracula wanting to learn English customs was in this movie I’m sure.

[@bonecanoe86]

Holy shit, the amount of detail you put into analyzing each film is amazing!

[@TheRezro]

He is a Nerd.. well, d'oh ;D

[@CM-kj6ps]

It really is amazing how much effort he puts into his vids, unlike most channels.

[@scockery]

"The Dracula Dozen" sounds like a good action-horror movie

[@M50A1]

Sounds like a biker gang in an 80s flick

[@anubusx]

Or a rock group.

[@ChaseMC215]

Action-Horror-Comedy

[@Superb_0wl]

The Magnificent Seven 🤠 in Dracula 🧛‍♂️ form

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

It would be fun to know the points for the 1968 television version starring Denholm Elliott.

[@monkeydragon8535]

I was rooting for Coppola's version. That was the one I saw when I was a kid. Looking back, I can't believe my parents let me watch it. I was 10.

[@damnielm0]

My parents let me watch the exorcist when I was 5. As well as Friday the thirteenth and nightmare on Elm street and all those other slasher and horror movies. Not saying it’s a good idea I’m pretty fucked up from it.

[@SatanAteMySocks]

I taped the movie on VHS when I was in primary school - or maybe my mother taped it for me - and I always loved this movie since.

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

Monica Bellucci 😍

[@markiv2942]

@@SatanAteMySocks Same. I was like 13. Really liked it.

[@heatherharper7283]

Coppola version was so scary it give me nightmares

[@Golem29]

This is honestly one of James best ever videos. The level of research and enthusiasm is fantastic.

[@joker167able]

I was saddened to learn the 1972 classic Blackula wasn’t eligible for consideration 😐

[@onlythewise1]

the real one was European

[@OttoGraff-fu8pj]

onlythewise1 woooosh

[@onlythewise1]

@@OttoGraff-fu8pj yep wooooosh in goes the basketball two points I win

[@OttoGraff-fu8pj]

onlythewise1 I… don’t think you know what wooosh means

[@counterfeit1148]

Two r/itswooooshwith4os

[@troyreeves26]

Just laid down and watched this with my daughter. She bet on BBC 77 and won! Now I'm cleaning the kitchen on Saturday. Thanks a lot James. Great video.

[@handsomebrick]

I have a feeling like James brought it up casually in some other video as an example of an unusually accurate retelling, so I bet on it too.

[@Jacen436987]

@@handsomebrick yea my wife and I both bet the BBC '77 version would win.

[@UncleNemmy]

I voted on Coppola's Dracula

[@mario199923]

This is my favorite content of Jame's. Just his own personal analysis. Not with Mike, or the screenwave guys. Just him and his opinions. Its like the good ol days

[@johnalbertson79]

Jame's? You can't be serious.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yeeees

[@mario199923]

@@johnalbertson79 it was a typo, sue me

[@Alamyst2011]

Your point is valid. The other guys detract from the quality James usually puts out. When its a group the people tend to talk over James

[@AdeptScholar]

No doubt just less time consuming to make videos with those other jabronies.

[@jessicajayes8326]

The original Dracula was written like a found footage film. I'm surprised that hasn't happened yet. Just imagine Jonathan vlogging about his travels and only being able to film vampires in night vision or only the filters pick them up. Mina and Lucy skyping together, Sewerd watching security cameras of his patients, news broadcasts, filming with phones and other devices.

[@vandarkholme8548]

That would be a train wreck... but an interesting one

[@tuckerbowen4626]

i don't care if it ends up working or not, i now want to see that movie!

[@gizurrr964]

analog horror Dracula? :0

[@Jim-Mc]

Only thing difficult to translate to modern times is why Harker has to go in person all the way to rural Romania for a real estate deal. But there are still very remote places in that part of the world where something could be hiding in some ruins for centuries ⚰️💀🕸

[@JohannesVanDerStuyvebode]

Vlad Tepes begs the differ...

[@thomas35835]

Let this be remembered as the most thorough and definitive analysis on Dracula films ever done. And it managed to be entertaining as well!

[@lukeskinwalker922]

He missed several other notable events. The animated recap by schoolingonline is the best imo though that isn’t finished yet.

[@linkfan160]

THIS. This is the content from James that I love. I could watch stuff like this all day.

[@rauschkandidat8655]

time to watch monster madness...

[@tmdbn]

"Then who keeps turning the lights on and off. Nosferatu" RIP hillenburg

[@kalmah456]

The hash slinging slasher!!!

[@Hurlebatte]

I didn't know he died. That's too bad.

[@gleenfales]

@@Hurlebatte you don't even care

[@Hurlebatte]

@@gleenfales ?

[@BlueScarabGuy]

Having watched a few more of these since last I watched this video, I'd offer that the Franco version is the one that most closely captures the VIBE of the book. Christopher Lee is incredible in it as a physically and dialogue-accurate Dracula, and the emotions between the characters are all very present. Really, the only thing it's missing is the real Quincy to complete its Fellowship of the Stake, as I like to call them.

[@SavouryGalette]

That's one badass group name.

[@Briaaanz]

The Franco was my pic for most true to story... but I've never seen the BBC version. It's now on my list to see

[@TheSonOfTheDragon]

Something I feel I should mention about the Coppola version. While Dracula doesn't have a mustache as an old man when grows younger he does and Johnathan writes a letter saying that Dracula wanted to learn English customs from him.

[@augustjologs1]

Dracula: Dead and Loving It scores 26 points!

[@Brandon3060]

And gains another 50 for him hitting his head on the chandler rising from his coffin. LOL

[@shanerone1181]

Creatures of the Night...what a mess they make

[@Geographus666]

@@Brandon3060 I must move the coffin ... or the chandelier!

[@brianspoon5007]

I was.... having a daymare!

[@mancubwwa]

Mel Brooks will always be definitive Van Helsing for me.

[@nicholsjoshua15]

Which movie has the man hitting candles with a whip, throwing bottles of holey water, and moon walking up stairs?

[@nyxshadowhawk]

Netflix's 2017 animated series comes the closest!

[@bbsj86]

@@nyxshadowhawk well until season 2

[@kingofthegundam7974]

I think the Coppola Dracula could take place in the Castlevania universe. The weird transformations Dracula goes through in the movie wouldn't be too out of place with the games, the idea of reincarnation and Dracula having a wife named Elisabeta who's death made him renounce God fits with Lament of Innocence, and Coppola's movie is one of the few adaptations that has Quincy Morris, who's son John Morris would go on to be a main character in Castlevania Bloodlines.

[@Krystalmyth]

Holey water. lol I love you.

[@spag4747]

Holy*

[@sirB0nes]

The reason so many versions switch Lucy and Mina is probably because that's what they did in the original stage adaptation by Hamilton Deane and John Balderston. Both the Langella version and Dead and Loving It are really adapting the play rather than the novel

[@ttintagel]

The 1931 Universal version was also largely adapted from the play, if I'm not mistaken. Which worked out well for Lugosi, since he had starred in it.

[@dalejones6584]

Thank you for mentioning the play! There are always going to be simplifications--at least in the number of locations-- when something has been adapted for the stage.

[@WhistleMeThis]

There was even concept art for a Don Bluth animated Dracula movie in the 90s. The concept art features images of a Disney princess-style heroine named “Lucy.”

[@-----------g-]

WOW! The level of research is almost academic! Well done James! Edit: stop arguing in the comments section... Fking nerds.

[@RMJ1984]

No research was done or needed. He's simply that big of a Dracula nerd. I bet you he knew all on this before even making the video. ANGRY DRACULA NERD! :P

[@28Pluto]

@RMJ1984 You clearly don't know what the word "research" means. By watching all the movies, James did research.

[@RMJ1984]

@@28Pluto He watched them for fun. When you go and watch Avengers Endgame and you WILL watch it. You aren't doing research, you are enjoying yourself.

[@28Pluto]

@RMJ1984 Wow, you *are* stupid, and prove my point that you don't know what research is. In order to successfully make this video, James did research by watching all the movies and then comparing them to the book. Of course he had fun too, but that's simply a byproduct of comparing the facts of the subject that he enjoys. Heck, even if James ranked the movies in order of "fun he had" he still would be applying his opinion to the fact-gathering (in this case seeing how much fun they are) while watching the movies. Example: If you eat 10 different chocolate bars, and then rank them in order of your favourites, your opinion will be based on the *research* you did by eating the 10 bars. You gathered your facts, and then made your opinion based on those facts. That''s literally what research is. Also, I haven't watched a Marvel movie since Iron Man 2, so I won't be watching Avengers.

[@edwin5145]

@@RMJ1984 He didn't know of the Turkish version.

[@elizabethashley42]

You get a like for giving a shout-out to Dead and Loving It. I was astonished at how book-accurate it managed to be while still playing everything for laughs.

[@darknessanddistance4469]

I was amazed at how bad it was a comparison to Young Frankenstein. Adding Gene Wilder to the mix really made a difference

[@TheArcaneMaster]

@@darknessanddistance4469 pfft. Leslie Nielson was brilliant.

[@merrickmeyers2669]

There actually is a single line in the novel implying that Dracula is indeed Vlad the Impaler. "He must, indeed, have been that Voivode Dracula who won his name against the Turk, over the great river on the very frontier of Turkey-land."

[@gabrielwarren6955]

I just read Dracula and I knew there was that reference I just couldn't remember where

[@ajoajoajoaj]

The name is derived from Vlad Tepes' father Dracul though, while the inspiration vame from the son. Ironically the book itself got the name wrong.

[@gabithemagyar]

In the book, Dracula explicitly states that he is a Szekler (Székely). The Vlad the Impaler connection originated in a book by Radu Florescu (in Search of Dracula) published in the 1970's.

[@rembrandt972ify]

@@ajoajoajoajVlad was the little dragon, Dracula. His father was the dragon, Dracul.

[@dm6182696]

Apparently the reference in the book was supposed to be Vlad the Impaler. But Bram Stoker got the name wrong and the ethnicity wrong. Because he didn't know a lot about the actual history. It was a mistake.

[@channelname5345]

This is such a fantastic video in context of the new Nosferatu movie

[@gamesonvhs5927]

It really shows when James puts so much work into his videos. Very high quality content. Thanks

[@zeldajunkielol2]

A James only video? HECK YES! I love watching him talk about topics that he is passionate about.

[@thejackal007]

I really value these videos and your detailed synopsis of such subjects.

[@lukeskinwalker922]

Dracula is NOT killed by Harker and Quincy in Coppola’s version. He is mortally wounded by them but they were only the overarching cause of his death and not the actual direct killers. It’s Mina who kills him by decapitating him with a sword to put him out of his misery.

[@brandonhainstock2928]

the romantic ending, love it.

[@susanstorm7910]

Ty sis

[@racheljames7]

He's already dead when she decapitates him. She kills him when she shoves Quincy's knife further in... what a lovely conversation 😂😂😂 ☕️🍰

[@LouisTravieon]

George Lucas recommended that to make it feel deeper

[@paonippobemduro]

Dracula was pretty dead by that point, Lucy simply freed him from his misery.

[@theangryholmesian4556]

Can you do this but with Sherlock Holmes or Frankenstein?

[@lwaves]

Funny you should mention Sherlock Holmes because Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are working on adapting Dracula for TV. No idea yet if it will be a close adaption or not but it's not modern day like Sherlock.

[@tardis7395]

(The Granada series would win for Sherlock Holmes)

[@theangryholmesian4556]

Yeah I've heard about the new Dracula adaptation. Personally I'm excited. And YES Granada would win hands down for best adaptation. Jeremy Brett is a legend.

[@lwaves]

@@tardis7395 It's elementary my dear KZbinrs, the Granada series is definitely the best of all versions and the closest. I still watch my full boxset on a fairly regular basis. Jeremy Brett was indeed truly excellent in the role, in fact, so were both Watsons and all the supporting cast.

[@Cybopath]

Sherlock Holmes would be a lot harder as Doyle wrote so many stories, you'd have to focus on one narrative like 'Hound of the Baskervilles'.

[@DrexandCTHproduction]

I think you could put it this way. The BBC 77 was the most faithful with the fewest deviations, while Coppola's version attempted to stay as close as possible while expanding upon the story giving more sides to the main characters of the story.

[@billybhoy32]

Yes, I agree.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Coppola wasn't faithful at all. Dracula was an unfeeling monster. Coppola turned him into an emotional rock star. Totally unfaithful. Christopher Lee's Dracula is the most faithful in tone, especially the 1970 Franco film.

[@neiltaylor513]

The bbc version needs to win just due to actually filming in Whitby. Even sat on the bench stoker wrote on.

[@str.77]

@@lyndoncmp5751 But never in Hammer movies.

[@Buttcakes15]

@@lyndoncmp5751 Bram Stoker should have thought of it because the original book is too dry. It's titled Dracula, meaning it would be smart to give the main character of your story some actual back story and character development.

[@lordioris]

I can only begin to imagine how much work an effort was put into this video, and it definetely shows! Well done Sir, well done.

[@CraigKostelecky]

He said on Twitter that he had been working on this since last fall.

[@chairladysummer]

it angers me that copolla is so accurate in nearly every way but also has a love relationship with dracula and mina

[@infjelphabasupporter8416]

I actually loved Dracula's and Mina's love story in that film. While it definitely ruined all the evilness and even fear Dracula originally created, at least it added something new to the story and I was definitely rooting for them two the most out of all the characters.

[@richardjones4466]

@@infjelphabasupporter8416 New to the story? Check out the Palance version.

[@stevewilkins2416]

@@richardjones4466 That spoilt the story by yet again killing off Harker at the beginning like most of the other adaptions do, when Harker should be Drac's main nemesis as per the book & any adaption faithful to it.

[@carnuatus]

Idk I'd still argue he's pretty evil since it seems to be a result of hypnosis by Dracula rather than any real love.

[@dannyb2783]

​@@carnuatus great point.

[@rexnebular543]

There is an interview with Christopher Lee he says he would have only played Dracula again if it followed the book

[@phreakazoith2237]

imagine Christopher Lee performing as Dracula with a moustache. He could have done it without being ridiculous but scary. No one else.

[@merchantfan]

@@phreakazoith2237 He did! Look at the Franco one. It's a pretty bad mustache but he can make anything work at least a little.

[@55bueller]

Christopher Lee truly was a one of a kind. I really miss the guy, one of the few actors that could scare me even in his 90's! RIP Mr Lee we all miss you!

[@JurassicReptile]

He's literally shown playing the novel accurate Dracula in the video. He was really good in that movie.

[@eachasteriod1334]

Phreak Azoith what do you mean he could have done it? He DID do it!

[@ChristopherM1701]

For the Jack Palance Dracula, you should have nicknamed it Jackula

[@carterscustomrods]

He does "Võne ar-r-rmed Poosh upes. Võne... T-t-tooooh... Thr-r-reeeeeyah!!!"

[@khululyp]

So the digital remaster should be called E-jackula? Ok, i'll grab my coat!

[@RC99_Productions]

Draculance?

[@aarontuplin]

Castle Slickers: The Legend of Dracurly's Gold

[@thestwinner680]

Sound a little like _EDRACULATION_ though... ;b

[@Edenwaith17]

I’ve always wondered which of the Dracula movies was closest to the book since so many of the movies tend to wildly derive near the end. Thanks to James for analyzing these different versions to answer this question.

[@yksnimus]

I guess they dont want to make the end predictable

[@filmbuff2777]

Great video. One thing about Coppola's version being called Bram Stoker's Dracula that people take issues with (because it takes liberties), is that he feels when he adapts a novel, that the author's name should be above the title as its their work. People might not know that, which is why I mention it.

[@rohangagrai106]

James loves his classic horror movies , doesn't he?

[@foxmulder4318]

Not surprising, seeing his love of Castlevania.

[@Fedekpc]

Frankenstein is next XD

[@ivans.191]

@bbarrera86 just like I am. If there wasn't Stoker's Dracula I'd probably never became interested in horror classics)

[@jakomioftherose2434]

Because the ones today sucks... no pun intended.

[@thebadartist]

I demand a recount! Dracula is "old man with mustache" per book Gary is Oldman and is rocking the 'stache

[@lancelemon8855]

I believe the original text is "Oldman with mustache"

[@TransylvaniaTapes]

@@lancelemon8855 LOL

[@thekornreeper]

;)

[@cindy4u99]

YES! YOU ARE CORRECT! As a young man in London, he has a moustache! Please award another point to Copola!!!

[@Dim4323]

@@cindy4u99 actually its the old incarnation in the book.

[@TheConjurersTower]

My dad is a huge horror buff and would get every movie with Dracula in the title, I'm the only one who actually read the book and I was blown away by BBC 77's Count Dracula. It really captured the atmosphere of the books, and I thought Louis Jourdan really played Dracula's calm predatory nature extremely well. It's by far my personal favorite for the characters/atmosphere and because I'm just a nerd who likes to see faithful adaptations. Thanks for such an awesome video! I love nit-picky stuff like this!

[@PaulHarrell]

This was a well-organized, very informative video.

[@kevinr.3542]

I freaking LOVE when James talks about classic horror, especially Dracula. So glad he keeps coming up with great new content!! He delivers so consistently, it's incredible. He's Delivers like Digorno

[@MagusMarquillin]

It's way better then the diarrhea on game cartridges.

[@advancedraymondology2914]

Seriously? No mention of Count Chocula? This is a travesty.

[@navymusician822]

haha nice

[@AlfredoPuente8]

It was a parody movie, doesn't count.

[@badideabearcub2747]

No, Count Duckula is better.

[@789syrus789]

Advanced Raymondology I THINK ADAM SANDLER IS GUD DRAGULA!!!

[@pixiebubbles2628]

I'm sure he'll get an episode all to himself 😂 Don't worry. Count Chocula will have his day

[@theshitpostpodcast2509]

James, I just wanted to say that I am a huge fan, and I just wanted to say thanks for helping make my childhood.

[@CHMernerner]

the moment when you realize james actually did made many adult's childhood better

[@ericjones3878]

Correction...In Ford Coppola's version, Jonathan writes Mina telling her he has to stay with Dracula for a month to "tutor him in English culture."

[@ericjones3878]

let me correct myself......'tutor him in English custom.'

[@TheDRODOR]

Ford?

[@tyrongkojy]

The Coppola version DOES give Drac his moustache, just not when he's old.

[@JurassicReptile]

I wouldn't count that, his younger self isn't much like his younger self in the novel.

[@Serai3]

Yeah, but it's definitely not the mustache in the book.

[@soultakersys]

why note, james said himself if it references it or mention counts, and young drac had the mustache @@JurassicReptile

[@tyrantbossmedia2230]

You are correct. The narrator even references the photo of Dracula with a moustache twice, when he is younger after drinking blood and when he is walking around in daylight. So add a point to Coppola. It should be BBC '77 (58) Coppola (57)

[@kafkatrap6812]

Never mind dracula's 'tache . Nothing comes close to the magnificent upper lip fungus sported by that Turkish-Not-Renfield bloke at circa 11:07

[@DannyJane.]

I have been saying for years the 1970s BBC BBC version was the closest to the novel and, to date, I stand by that statement. Thank you for giving me proof positive.

[@bruced.3355]

Right on. Louis Jordan's version is the one.

[@JaneEasterbrook-bn3ux]

​@@bruced.3355Same for me!

[@thebloodyluncheon]

Honestly my quickest click for a cinemassacre upload (Edit: despite my profile picture I am a GIGANTIC Dracula fan, as well as Frankenstein and the Wolfman.)

[@thepaperwarrior1843]

me too

[@ug333]

Ditto

[@adamhenry6793]

Jay's Son.

[@mikeq725]

I'm...about... to.... Sorry... I just came.. lol

[@adamhenry6793]

@@mikeq725 Oh, Sweet Mike.

[@impartialthrone2097]

"Netlfix, or anybody who's listening, you have an easy win here" Netflix - Has a Dracula show "Wait, not like that..."

[@aniseadhikari1667]

Of course it’s surprising.

[@aniseadhikari1667]

Also it’s surprising no one knows how many points NBC’s Dracula has.

[@aniseadhikari1667]

Oh and what’s for Dracula: Prince of Darkness or Scars of Dracula though it doesn’t count?

[@carl_anderson9315]

NETFLIX: What? To redo the story? Oops, I thought you meant "to ruin the story". Excuseeeee...

[@i_am_well]

Dracula is a sucker....wait...what?

[@alexpollock6932]

I can’t believe he missed “moms got a date with a vampire”, obviously the most accurate interpretation

[@LuzMaria95]

I love that movie lol from my childhood

[@gregclarkreasons]

The Lost Boys?

[@thisisnotachannel]

What about Mel Brooks' "Dracula; Dead and LOVING it!", starring Leslie Nielsen?

[@kevinj.p.6277]

@@thisisnotachannel It one of the 3 S's. It's a spoof. Spoofs, Spinoffs and Sequels don't count

[@stephaniegormley9982]

How bout 'Fright Night?' In that one the "Rindfield" equivalent character is very normal.

[@fullyuki]

Been anticipating for this video, thanks for the upload

[@FitzKeepsItSimple]

Well done, James. I can’t imagine how many hours you put into this.

[@HorrorsofCody]

James got me into classic horror and now I appreciate silent/b&w movies more than modern cinema. Always loved horror but I had no idea how much more amazing the genre is and I thank James for making these videos to teach it. Great video!

[@frankjohnson123]

Holy shit, James put so much work into this; very informative. Looks like I should get around to seeing the Coppola version.

[@nowhereman6019]

It's so stylistic and unique that it makes up for the so so story.

[@thekornreeper]

I agree

[@handsomebrick]

If you're expecting something like Interview With A Vampire you'll be disappointed.

[@JamesSmith-vk2ky]

Coppola's Dracula is the BEST!! And it's so well done. It's up there with The Godfather Trilogy & Apocalypse Now as Coppola's best work!! Watch it now!!

[@siren_section]

@@handsomebrick why would someone be expecting it to be like Interview With the Vampire?

[@famousvoiceimitator]

My favourite one is the Coppola 90's version, and I really like the awesome music played on it too, including the song called Love song for a Vampire which is played through most of the end credits.

[@patronsaintofhorses1747]

I remember the BBC adaptation well... It was 1977, I was 8 and it scared the crap out of me. And I was a big Hammer fan back then. Seeing it now brings it all back. Thanks James for the memories. Loved that damn version

[@JaneEasterbrook-bn3ux]

I was 12 and it terrified me too! I was 14 when I managed to pluck up the courage to buy the original Stoker novel and it blew me away!

[@michaelavolio]

6:48 The "plague" in the original Nosferatu is actually just the vampire feeding on the town. The ship enters the harbor with its crew missing or dead, the crew member whose body they examine has died a mysterious death with a wound on his neck, and they think he's died from a plague. We the audience know the vampire killed him, but the townspeople don't. Then the vampire goes on killing people in the town, but they think it's a plague killing them. The "plague" ends when the vampire dies at the end of the story, because there WAS no actual plague, it was the vampire preying on the town. He's directly responsible for all that death - there never was a plague at all. The "plague" thread in the film didn't come from the novel, so on that you're correct. The film was made not long after the flu pandemic of the time, so it makes sense to write in the idea of a vampire killing people mysteriously being mistaken for a plague - a great idea.

[@Blokewood3]

The plague theme is also stressed by making the rat the vampire's signature animal. Orlok changes into a swarm of rats at one point if I remember right.

[@danielvandersall6756]

A lot of the German legends about vampires were very heavily allegorical--and definitely tied to the multiple plagues that swept Europe.

[@hammerite6418]

Although in the remake dracula actually does release a plague on the town

[@Spiderific]

I love the Coppola version. One of my favorite films. I saw it in the theater when it came out and the cinematography and gothic style alone was just incredibly beautiful.

[@DonyaLane]

I congratulate you! This was so well presented. And so time consuming to compile! Very impressive... Dracula is my favorite book, and I feel that Coppola's version was a wonderful adaptation, in terms of mood and eerie-ness. I loved the costumes, too, because they matched the book's fantastical atmosphere. I even liked the origin backstory that was added, because it made the movie satisfying, independently from the book. The only thing that I didn't like about the Coppola adaptation was how Van Helsing was depicted. Hopkins played him as a demented weirdo. He was creepy, which did not work for me. Bram Stoker's Van Helsing was a serious man of science who behaved himself.

[@williamlynnroden]

Donya Lane. I'm glad I read the comments before I commented this. I like Anthony Hopkins but he missed the mark in this one.

[@JurassicReptile]

I thought John Harker was pretty bad in the Coppola version too.

[@Usernamesdontmatter1]

Sadly I don't think we will ever get a perfect adaptation of the wonderful old man who punches wolves.

[@adog4661]

Lugosi's Dracula has the best Renfield ever. Respect Dwight Frye

[@Deadener]

Tom Wait's Renfield in Coppola's Dracula was nothing to shake a stake at.

[@sammyshehole]

Deaden “*dramatic gasp* Oh yes! A BIG CAT!”

[@travishimebaugh8381]

HUH, HUH, HUH, HRRRRR (best attempt at onomatopeizing his signature cackle; not very good, was it?)

[@CountOrlok22]

Dwight Frye delivers the most insidious and demented laugh when he's found at the bottom of the stairs in the ship. For that scene alone I will never underestimate him as an actor. That said, Tom Waits' delivery of the line, "Dr. Jack, Dr. Jack! I am not an insane man; I am a sane man fighting for his soul," is one of my favourite moments in all of horror.

[@davidj.thompson]

I agree! Best anguished, insane laugh!

[@jaimesamuraie]

I would sooo binge watch a faithful adaptation tv series!

[@matban9082]

I'm pretty sure everyone who watched this would :)

[@JazzyWaffles]

Honestly I just want a full length series of James doing nerdy film rants like this.

[@chrisn4315]

I watched this for a second time now, and I'd have to say this is the most profound movie analysis / comparison I have ever seen. The amount of work put into it, I don't wanna imagine, but thank you emphatically for..! Awesome video - dare I ask for more content of equal quality, please? :-) Btw... liked (already) and subscribed (now).

[@Mathadar]

One thing. The Coppola version there were scenes where Dracula had a mustache including the day scenes. Just a note.

[@willieloomis5958]

Yes, but he didn't look old when he had the mustache.

[@DaDoubleDee]

@@willieloomis5958 that's right he looked fresh as fuck haha

[@thejedisonic67]

@@DaDoubleDee What are you an Inkling?

[@Alucard1242]

It would ba a half point

[@DarkestStarASMR]

Jess Francos El conde Dracula is the most faithful..

[@JackMannerheim]

Nosferatu 2024 gave Orlok the mustache, so Franco isn't the only one anymore

[@lukeskinwalker922]

Gary Oldman’s version had a mustache in his younger form. Also Franco’s Dracula included a scene where there was no reflection in the mirror.

[@KTChamberlain]

I would love to see James Rolfe apply this sort of breakdown with other movie adaptations on literary classics that have at least 3 or more movie adaptations like Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde, Peter Pan, and so on.

[@brandonmyers5448]

That would be awesome 👏 I would also love to see him review some of other Dracula movies that people don’t talk a lot about

[@DistractedGlobeGuy]

There's only one version of _Frankenstein_ that even really *attempts* to adapt the book accurately-the one by Kenneth Brannaugh with Robert deNiro.

[@johndalton3180]

Is this a dagger

[@R.Estrada]

James you truly are brilliant with how much knowledge you have of this type of stuff.

[@mumfnah]

I visit Whitby every year, it's a nice place, and climb those 199 steps to the Abbey. There's also a graveyard up top with one of the graves having a skull and crossbones symbol and the stone cracked completely in half... Meant to be Dracula's grave which he rose from

[@christopherleonard247]

Dan Curtis isnt known? Youre discussing Dracula and didnt think Curtis was known when he created Dark Shadows, a popular supernatural soap opera with a Vampire lead. Barnabas Collins.

[@H2oWENS]

Revisit this with the new Nosferatu!

[@palaghiaandrei]

Scores around 22 points.

[@FemaleFullmetal]

Came here to say this haha

[@ShinoSarna]

I didn't know that Castlevania's character design of Dracula (grey with mustache) was the most accurate to the book. Huh.

[@SoLinkSmash]

The events of the Bram Stoker novel are also canon to the Castlevania timeline, funnily enough, as the characters’ descendants show up in Bloodlines for the Genesis and Portrait of Ruin for the DS.

[@DarkMirria1]

It’s definitely interesting. :)

[@johngleeman8347]

I don't think Stoker imagined Dracula being 8-ft tall though. XD

[@ruyman90]

Stoker did mention that he was very tall for a normal person. I don't remember he gave an specific number but I'm always though of him being like 2m tall. Also the Castlevania wiki says Dracula is 1.93m tall (6f 4") bu i guess the artist took some liberties.

[@Facade953]

He also uses the Lugosi look in a couple of games such as Portrait Of Ruin for Nintendo DS.

[@ninalow86]

This was very well done. You took a lot of information and presenting it in a way that was actually pretty easy to follow.

[@hollymarg]

LOVE the 1977 BBC version as it seemed to follow the book more faithfully. Coppola's is a good second. Thanks for this...it's brilliantly detailed.

[@ShooterDaan]

I would love to see James do another of these types of videos but this time going over every cinematic version of a Christmas carol, but I understand its a tall order given how many different adaptations there are. I'd say its one of the most adapted stories put to film.

[@curtthegamer934]

I plan on doing a video similar to that in the future.

[@almightycinder]

Dominic Noble more or less did a video like that.

[@dimension7prod]

Muppet Christmas Carol would definitely be in the top ten

[@tdugong]

Extra point for Coppola for depicting Dracula's hairy palm.

[@Blokewood3]

BBBC 77 has the hairy palms too.

[@75Veritas]

I never read the original but listened to an audio book and was shocked to discover how incredibly awesome the book is compared to any movie.

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

This is true of almost any novel, sadly. The movies never get it right.

[@santos8468]

The best audio versions are the ones with a full cast as opposed to one narrator.

[@kaylahensley1581]

The Alan Cummings version is my favorite. Tim Curry’s in it too.

[@celticson]

Alucard, from Darktsone Entertainment had to cut a lot, because like James said, it would have been like 20 hours long, but it's director made it to be a literal adaptation of the book. Every line of dialogue was written by Stoker (well with some place name changes), almost every shot was something described in the book. It's such an obscure indie, I'm not surprise James didn't seem to know about it.

[@coletidwell2806]

I love all of this guys content, I've been watching since I was 11 with avgn and now find his opinions so interesting despite not being a huge fan nowadays for whatever reason.

[@boldbearings]

"Sequels, spin-offs, and spoofs..." Spot-on. Well-said. This is why James is the best.

[@thebloodyluncheon]

Appreciate the really hard work you put into this, just for the fans, this video is going straight to my favourites!

[@JimCaruso]

I always liked best the 1977 BBC Louis Jourdan version of "Count Dracula." Now I think I understand why; it's the faithfulness to Bram Stoker's book. BTW, this is great and very well researched.

[@LukeWyldfire]

My assessment of Egger's Nosferatu (2024): (Keep in mind this is meant to be a REMAKE of the 1922 film, not a direct adaptation of the book) Points included: - Main cast of characters are all present, with the exception of Quincy Morris - Count Orlok IS an old man with a mustache - Thomas' travel to Transylvania - Inclusion of scared townspeople - Thomas sells Orlok the property - Thomas finds Orlok sleeping in a coffin - Thomas tries to escape the castle - Orlok travels aboard the Demeter and kills everyone on board - Ellen waits for Thomas at a cemetary - Knock is observed at an asylum - Von Franz educates characters on vampire lore - Heroes locate Dracula's box and purify it - Lots of rats seen when sanctifying the boxes - Ellen has a psychic link with Orlok Departures: - Orlok's reason for not traveling is that he is too infirmed, not that he wants to learn English culture - Orlok's encounter with Anna differs too much to consider it the same event - Anna never turns into a vampire - Knock is killed by the heroes, not Orlok - No standoff with Orlok - No following Orlok back to Transylvania Debatable: - The natives do mention using garlic to ward off vampires, so I added a point - There are festivities when Thomas arrives in the town but they don't specifically mention St. George's Eve Overall I have Eggers' Nosferatu at 21 points, tied with Herzog's Nosferatu. All three "Nosferatus" are at the bottom!

[@eldricshadowchaser5454]

Makes sense considering Nosferatu (all three of them) is essentially Dracula's story cut in half.

[@Ilcinemachenonce]

Also, Orlock never turns younger by drinking blood, or turns into a bat

[@darkknightniner9862]

How many times has he seen each of these to be able to pick out and compare things like this? Lol It was interesting to watch, but that is some dedication.

[@Bonbonbabies76]

I loved the 1992 Coppola version. It took a lot of words and "scenes" from the book, but was also just stunning. One thing I didn't like was how Lucy wasn't the pure soul as in the book, but otherwise her portrayal of Vampire Lucy was amazing

[@RumpelGnom42]

I also did not like Mina in the 1992 Version. Book Mina was brave, intelligent, loyal and kind of a badass for a female character in a book from 1897.

[@SamJohnnyVoices]

I was thinking that too! Was Lucy that promiscuous in the book?

[@Bonbonbabies76]

@@SamJohnnyVoices not at all lol! I still love this movie though. And vampire Lucy still gives me chills!

[@megantouchton4636]

​@@SamJohnnyVoicesNo. In the book, Lucy is a truly purehearted girl, who's genuinely distraught she has to turn down Dr. Seward and Quincey's marriage proposals. That being said, it's been posited that the fact that (book Lucy's) willingness to consider/wish for the possibility to have three husbands, while rooted in her fondness for Seward and Quincey (and her guilt over hurting them)--the fact she is so (insert sarcastic Victorian outrage here) wonton as to even entertain a polyandrist arrangement, even as nothing more tham a passing wish (shock! horror!) makes her morally "inferior" to Mina, and every movie since has taken that as a carte blanche to slutty her up. 🤦‍♀️

[@007dalal]

Mina ruined it

[@ToddTheTolerable]

Yeah, but only the Coppola version was produced by Fred Fucks.

[@patrickdolan6]

Yeah, the book was very adamant in it's description of it's producer, and he did appear quite a few times, if only for minor comments and plot development.

[@emerosky9899]

@Carlos Saraiva r/wooosh _Help for the poor creature:_ Look up for AVGN Castlevania reviews.

[@xotl2780]

Who gives a Fuch?

[@dubuyajay9964]

OH GOD! FRED FUCHS!!!

[@xotl2780]

@Carlos Saraiva I like that version.

[@Torvik40]

I think the Coppola version should've earned a half-point for giving Dracula a moustache *after* he de-ages. So how many points does the Moffat miniseries get?

[@vanillabatcave5677]

Ahh Moffat's Dracula, what a wonderful 2 episode re-imagination of the classic

[@kenknowlton3085]

In the novel, Bram Stoker describes Dracula with a distinct mustache.

[@filthycasual8187]

@@kenknowlton3085 Only at the beginning. He gets a pointy beard after he de-ages.

[@Imperiused]

This was absolutely great James. Very much enjoyed. Now I have to go watch some of these.

[@lelabotoxique]

When Mister Rolfe talks about horror stuff... I stop everything and listen to the man.

[@SEAZNDragon]

What always surprised me about the Dracula adaptions they never fully utilize the original novel's use of telegrams, newspaper articles, and letters to help narrate the story. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a modern 21st version there would be Facebook posts and tweets replacing the articles.

[@Laocoon283]

Narration through text is a cardinal sin in cinema

[@calumbyrne5926]

You should check out the independent film “found footage Dracula” it tries to recreate the story telling techniques of the book in a more modern way with journal entries and newspapers being replaced with Snapchat’s TikTok’s and other forms of social media formats that the characters would use to prove the weird things they’re seeing but as vampires don’t show up on video everything is kept subtle and left to your imagination

[@SEAZNDragon]

@@calumbyrne5926 thanks I’ll check it out.

[@ninjabarney7431]

From context clues you can tell that in the original Nosferatu, the "plague" is actually Orlock killing people but the people don't know it and attribute it to a plague

[@darnk9785]

Yes! Bram Stoker's Dracula is my favorite novel and I've always wanted a faithful adaptation.

[@MISTAWULFY]

I’ve always wondered, what about the accuracy of A Christmas Carol movies?

[@TehZach1993]

I'd vote the 1950s one with Alaister Sim

[@mvolestrangler]

A Muppets Christmas Carol. ..Just joking, I watched about 5 versions of this over last Christmas and wondered the same thing.

[@stolenname94]

I'm diehard for the Disney adaptation and scrooged was hilarious. However what I want is a really dark gothic version anyone have any suggestions? ?

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

There's a "Lost in Adaptation" video that compares them.

[@gemstonegynoid7475]

I love the 1999 one

[@jcollins1305]

The ‘77 BBC version is by far the best version. Available to stream on KZbin, it has loads of class and the best actors, with a very suave and Subtle Dracula

[@jessiemayfield6749]

14:53 I love the sass he gets with Hammers version. The dry wit commentary and the research? Had to subscribe