WTF Happened to Bram Stoker's Dracula?

Hollywood has had its fair share of historically troubled productions. Whether it was casting changes, actor deaths, fired directors, in-production rewrites, constant delays, budget cuts, or studio edits, these films had every intention to be a blockbuster but were beset with unforeseen disasters. Sometimes huge hits, sometimes box office bombs. Rarer still are the movies that, while they're shooting, seem like disasters in the making but wind up being classics.
Francis Ford Coppola crafted a unique and gorgeous twist on the legendary vampire with the 1992 horror-romance BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA, starring Gary Oldman (an an iconic performance), Winona Ryder and a controversial Keanu Reeves. But the director certainly didn’t make it easy for himself, with an intensely method lead actor, personality conflicts, overly ornate costumes, studio squabbles, and all the challenges of using obsolete practical effects. Grab your crucifix and sharpen your stakes as we look at “WTF Happened to BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA!”
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#BramStokersDracula #GaryOldmanDracula #WTFHappenedToThisMovie

[@BL4KBE4R]

“I have crossed oceans of time to find you.” Quite possibly the most romantic line in cinema history. 🦇🦇🦇

[@Westwood1816]

@@RobertIsraelKabakoff You are overly judgmental. The theme of the move is redemption.

[@danielduncan6806]

That is the line that gets you wet, huh?

[@zepter00]

Quite cheap actually...and I said exactly the same to the OZ Racing Alloy wheels.

[@amritpalhh9836]

I’m gonna use it when I get a gf lol which will be never if I used it I’m fuckin around I’ll probably get a gf one day

[@SadDad01]

I've used a variation of it on occasion.. women love it.

[@barlotardy]

This was basically an art film, and I love the visuals. It's so gloriously weird.

[@scottmoore1614]

It is indeed “gloriously weird”...and makes no apologies for it! I think it’s a masterpiece. It’s one of the few films for which I bought a book that explained precisely how it was made. I just had to know every facet of this beautiful, amazing film.

[@barlotardy]

@@scottmoore1614 Same!

[@robwalsh9843]

You really have to rewatch the movie to appreciate the various visuals. Coppola truly appreciated the old horror movies from the Silent Era as well as British Hammer films and it shows.

[@zefff911]

Me too the same 😊🤗

[@nosuchthing8]

Thank you. One excellent result, Dracula seems to have a reality distortion field.

[@harrysanders818]

The soundtrack of this movie is absolutely phenomenal. It is insane how well this composer brought the feelings the movie trys to convey to life. When you listen to it, its a movie on its own.

[@scottmoore1614]

The soundtrack is amazing! One of the greatest of all time. I used to listen to it all the time!

[@thetruthchannel349]

Ya. Whenever you hear some film student dropout say 'The best soundtrack is the one you don't remember' just look at him like he fell out of a well and keep going.

[@andreeam5455]

Wojciech Kilar.. Also the costumes were amazing in this. Done by a Japanese costume designer - the armors look nothing like the Romanian ones of the time yet all costumes fit the fairy tale reinterpretation of the story perfectly..

[@danymalsound]

The same guy composed the score to The Ninth Gate, I believe... incredible music!

[@JanPBtest]

@@danymalsound He composed music to dozens of Polish films over the decades.

[@rodtaylor5476]

Such a lush art film. All filmed on sets, all practical effects, beautiful costumes, fantastic acting, and one of the best horror movie scores ever recorded. It's simply a brilliant adaptation.

[@HkFinn83]

Keanu Reeves performance was chilling

[@dr.manhattan6278]

WTF happened to this movie? It's sitting on my bookshelf encased in glass, with a Brass key lock to unlock it. Because it's a treasure.

[@RayDickulous80]

Touché!

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

Love this movie other than the title. Older Dracula movies were way closer to the original story while this one is a whole other take, so why not call it Coppola's Dracula? Bram Stoker's Dracula it is not...

[@nonono4986]

@@RayDickulous80 ¹ Lol

[@charliecane3621]

Hell yes.

[@nonono4986]

@@charliecane3621 love it too

[@sarmavlada]

Oldman's old man makeup was great.

[@TheAndersDanilet]

HA!

[@Jooleeana]

Meant to be

[@taranvainas]

Here in Europe Coppola's Dracula remains a highly admired classic and considered a masterpiece worthy of a great master. And I of course agree. I never liked any movie about Dracula (although I loved the novel!) Until I saw Coppola's. I left the theater in shock and then I have watched the movie more than 10 times. Its baroque style, its music, the costumes, the setting, the narrative, the actors, fascinate me. And the vampire in all his manifestations, especially that of a decrepit noble prisoner of his past.

[@alwaysopen7970]

They did it all with Barnabas Collins in "Night of Dark Shadows" 1971

[@taranvainas]

@@RobertIsraelKabakoff You're right. I read the novel long ago, but it makes no mention of Vlad, or how and why Dracula became undead. Dracula himself is radically different from the one we see in Coppola's film: he does not depend on the night to do his misdeeds, he is simply stronger at night. And his physical appearance is very different: he is an unpleasant being to look at, bald (if I remember him correctly), he wears black and his breath stinks. Instead he has a cultured and interesting conversation that fascinates others, who invite him to the best tables. The vampire closest to what I imagined when reading the novel is Murnau's Nosferatu. Vlad the Impaler is mentioned in Coppola's movie because Stoker was inspired by that character to write the novel, simply. I agree with what you say about Renfield and Van Helsing, they are very interesting characters.

[@clavicleofcernunnos]

Vlad the Impaler's real name was Vlad III Dracula, also spelled Draculyea, meaning "Son of the Dragon," "the Dragon" being his father Vlad II Dracul. Both were Princes of Wallachia, an area south of Transylvania that is now part of Romania. At the time, Transylvania was actually part of Hungary, and both Vlad and his father were sometimes allies with Hungary against the Ottoman Empire, and sometimes allies with the Ottomans against local rivals. There is some debate about just how much Stoker really knew about the historical Dracula; most scholars seem to think he was only aware of the name and chose it for its meaning of "Son of the Dragon" or also "Son of the Devil." There is an oblique reference to the historical figure in Chapter 3 of the book: "Who was it but one of my own race who as Voivode crossed the Danube and beat the Turk on his own ground? This was a Dracula indeed! Woe was it that his own unworthy brother, when he had fallen, sold his people to the Turk and brought the shame of slavery on them! Was it not this Dracula, indeed, who inspired that other of his race who in a later age again and again brought his forces over the great river into Turkeyland, who, when he was beaten back, came again, and again, though he had to come alone from the bloody field where his troops were being slaughtered, since he knew that he alone could ultimately triumph!" It's not entirely clear which members of the Dracula family the Count is referring to here. Vlad's younger brother Radu did indeed ally with the Turks and usurped the throne from his older brother at one point, but I'm not sure who the "other of his race" from "a later age" is. Stoker's history isn't exact, but there is evidence of familiarity with general contours of Vlad's history.

[@scottsmith3478]

@@clavicleofcernunnos I just reread that passage a couple days ago and attempted to put this in context with some amateur/poor historical research. My take was similar to yours in that Stoker used the dracula title "(son) of the dragon". I speculate that mostly it was because it sounded badass. But Stoker understood enough of the historical region and personages to write that specific passage describing some real people and events. Stoker doesn't outright claim vlad but geez we can easily see Hart/Coppola being spot on here! As far as the romance/love aspect, we'd have to ask Hart about that since he wrote the screenplay that Coppola used. i found the reincarnation elements a bit interesting even though it wasn't in the book. I think i read somewhere that coppola and ryder (apparently introducing coppola to the screenplay) that there was some hidden meaning of sorts that was to be found in Hart's version. Presumably the romance stuff. I personally think the hidden elements are more or less of the nature of nationalism (foreign element introduced to our safe bubble) and sexual suppression of the roman catholic and victorian age sort. Let's not forget who Stoker was and his primary audience. All in all i think Hart's romance bit was as an interesting plot mechanic for our beloved Dracula but definitely overdone by Coppola in several scenes. If anyone knows of a Hart interview describing his screenplay then please respond here!

[@metal_monocle7334]

Ironically, I only watched this version after having read the book - and I absolutely hated the movie because of how it just shat on the book.

[@11viewer77]

Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves where considered nobodys and Christian Slater was the big deal? Wow, how times have changed!

[@jedaaa]

Slater's doing well these days though, it's good to see his career getting a second wind.

[@loloabyu]

I think this guy doesn't know wtf is he talking about. Depp was already famous because of 21 Jump street and Edward Scissorhands

[@samanthab1923]

Slater was the fill in for River Phoenix after he died before filming started on Interview with the Vampire.

[@FlyingSaucerEyez]

Johnny Depp had already been in Nightmare on Elm Street Edward Scissorhands and Cry Baby and right after this What's eating Gilber Grape. Keanu had already been in both Bill and Ted movies, point break, and My own private Idahoa. Definently not nobodies. No idea what you're talking about.

[@Mick-gp6vi]

You mean YOU considered them to be that. I've never ever heard anyone else say that.

[@EdgedShadow]

I can't imagine how awful this would look now if they'd gone with late 90s cgi.

[@guitarofdestiny]

Wait for the remake 😂

[@Jerry4050]

Or early 2000 CGI 😂 man Blade CGI doesn't hold up anymore

[@sarge7string232]

@@Jerry4050 but Blade II does !!!!

[@bud389]

@indytbird Wtf are you talking about? Bram Stoker's Dracula is great, and it's one of the most accurate adaptations of his book ever made.

[@diobrando5896]

They used some cgi if i remember

[@josoffat7649]

the optical effects of this movie blew my little 9 year old mind when it came out, they still hold up today

[@pm6771]

Ummmmm.....why did your parents let you watch this at 9y/o....or were you raised by wolves?!!?!?

[@keef78]

Good practice effects always will. The last good era of Hollywood.

[@josoffat7649]

@@pm6771 it's complicated 😂

[@pm6771]

@@josoffat7649 I'm guessing that wolves might've been an improvement??!!?? ;~)

[@camogrrl]

I saw it at the cinema when I was 20 on two weed cookies. The cgi was so cool. The eyes in the sunset bit and lusting over Sadie frost was all I remembered the next day. Watched it again on DVD years later and it felt like the first time

[@Bearwolf13]

One of my all time favorite films, and it's mostly because of Gary Oldman's performance and just the overall look of the film. The costume designs are top notch!

[@michaeldouglas9394]

I'm so sad Sadie Frost didn't go on to better things. She was a stand-out for me in this movie.

[@pussycats456]

She can’t act if you’re completely honest.

[@noeldown1952]

@@pussycats456 neither can Keanu, but he still found his niche.

[@rastamuff1]

I used to work in an aesthetics clinic in Primrose Hill. One day, Sadie came up to me in reception and I (not noticing her as a old woman) asked who she was and how I could help her. She glared at me and responded “Sadie, you know?” Arsehole 😂

[@judylee4649]

This my favorite Dracula movie. It tells the story behind Dracula and how he got to be such a monster. The overall cinematography, the sets, the costumes and makeup, made it a visual treat. Oldman was perfect for the lead and Ryder was a beautiful heroine. Keneau was kind of a 'meh', but he did ok. Anthony Hopkins was perfect as always.

[@63artemisia63]

judy lee Yeah, Dracula was really a sweet guy, just misunderstood.

[@63artemisia63]

The backstory in the movie was fabricated. You should read the book. Saying “how he got to be such a monster” tickles me. As if Prince Vlad was really just your average sadistic, bloodthirsty psychopath and really a nice guy once you get to know him. The “backstory” was that he was a sadistic, bloodthirsty psychopath, then he died and became an undead sadistic, bloodthirsty psychopath.

[@t.m.3538]

@Lilian Chase does it matter? This movie is a true piece of art, is art all about being true?

[@charlesward8632]

@@RobertIsraelKabakoff He's never called Vlad in the book, but a lot of people connect Count Dracula to real life Prince Vlad Dracula because that's who Stoker based him on. Book Dracula is not a sympathetic character; he is sadistic and cruel and feeds babies to his vampire wives. His feeling towards Mina is pure hatred. A real sweetheart.

[@malloryknox6802]

@@63artemisia63 who cares? Most adaptations are not 100% faithful to the original, and they don't have to be

[@nodidb3976]

This movie was masterpiece...

[@philipanderson4673]

hardly....

[@keminggristraveler]

And still is a masterpiece

[@calebjackson3895]

Coppola: "Keanu, what accent is that?" Keanu: "Yes."

[@artmienz3077]

Coppola: "They speak "yes" where you're from mf?!" Keanu: "Yes"

[@thestoicwhinger]

Most

[@stevebailey18a]

@@thestoicwhinger Great name Ted lol

[@xamalion7334]

I was 11 years old when this was released and I was of course not allowed to watch it then. But I saw trailers and clips. I cannot describe how the imagery spoke to me. It awakened something in me. When I finally saw it a few years later, it blew my mind. It is still one of my alltime favourite movies.

[@SimoExMachina2]

Police officer to Gary Oldman: "Have you been drinking booze, sir?". Gary: "I do not drrrrink...booze".

[@dancarr2099]

Lmao!

[@ericschwartz1669]

🤣

[@mastery7901]

Cop: You are in trouble. Gary: It does not MAHHHH-TAHHH!

[@evanhanley6437]

One of my favourite vampire films ever next to The Lost Boys and Interview With The Vampire.

[@thedys70]

@GOD of FUCK For sure; see if Pedowood can't fuck these up too much.... Now is the time; the stench of Twilight series no longer lingers....

[@spottheturtle9568]

@BACK2BLACK IDK... remember Queen of the Damned? I'd love to see another quality Rice project.....but.....did I mention Queen of the Damned?

[@laurabedford5095]

Nosfaratu was creepy for the time .

[@spottheturtle9568]

@BACK2BLACK honestly, I hated the QotD movie. The Queen herself is great. Everything else is a mess imo. I still have the first 5 or so chronicles in hardcover, including a signed Interview anniversary edition. If they do make more films they need to look to Interview for direction. Neil Jordan made it so very good. That film really captures the atmosphere of the novels. Queen has some bad casting, terrible wigs and wardrobe, and just all round terrible direction. That movie made me sad. I knew after that, Rice would avoid films like the plague. I was right on that one.

[@dunningkruger3774]

@@spottheturtle9568 QOTD was the best vampire movie ever.

[@picklesthewise]

Poor Keanu. Cannot get the accent right for the life of him but he is the sweetest little muffin top in this. The cinematography and costume design were brilliant, and Gary Oldman is great in literally everything. He could make a home movie about brushing his teeth and I would want it nominated for an Oscar.

[@garybristow8559]

Oldham's version of Dracula was a masterpiece.

[@josealmeida2842]

Even Keanu Reeves has openly confessed he wasn’t any good in Dracula.

[@Thespeedrap]

So he knows he was wrong.At least he's honest and mature about it abd that's why he's a good guy to be around.

[@andreeam5455]

Yeah he was absolutely miscast... the movie would've been better if not for the miscasting. I dont think Winona was a great choice either. And I like both of them otherwise..

[@rumblefish9]

Oldman was so hammy in this movie, it was majestic.

[@garryiglesias4074]

EVERYONE !!!! Oh, sh1t, it's not the right one.

[@nosuchthing8]

Our ways are not your ways...

[@pszczolka80]

I imagine he got much of his daily calorie intake just from chewing the scenery.

[@edithvillalobos6256]

@Via your taste in movies is dogshit.

[@realjoemavro]

Only in the 1st act. You want a real hammy Dracula? Try Richard Roxburgh.

[@arthurballs2754]

I was 17 when this came out. Instant classic. God, the 90s were good.

[@Thespeedrap]

I miss the 1990s alot 2020 sucks badly WTF happened.

[@Westwood1816]

me too...maybe 16

[@richardclifford003]

The 80s were even BETTER!!!

[@Thespeedrap]

@@richardclifford003 I wasn't in the 80s only good thing is Scarface Prince and MJ

[@AlexUSAF]

Yes they were, very good.

[@alucard624]

The late Alan Rickman would have been a great Dracula IMO. I always like to think that in an alternate universe we got a Bram Stoker's Dracula with both Rickman as Dracula and Johnny Depp as Harker and it was amazing.

[@josephososkie3029]

Agreed. That would have been a good project.

[@Bluedog4712]

A bit too on the nose I think, granted he had a look of Lugosi and maybe that why you think he was a good choice idk, but I don’t think that’s what Coppola was after!

[@melvert33]

Count Dracula dude, I must commend on your totally bodacious castle...(air guitar)

[@thedys70]

Sir Anthony: Bogus....

[@TorontoJediMaster]

Bill and Ted's Transylvanian Adventure

[@scottmoore1614]

Like...whoa Count Chocula!

[@robertgodlewski8553]

😂🍿

[@jc.1191]

🤘🎸

[@unlikelyspore1406]

I will love this movie to the end of times.

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

@ Unlikelysp... YT LOVES your comment. For this movie - me, too!!!

[@move_i_got_this5659]

Yup 🥰

[@Thespeedrap]

I still prefer Nostferato compared to this sometimes originality is the best.

[@similaritiesendhere]

​@@Thespeedrap Originality? Lol!!! Nosferatu is literally plagiarized from Stoker's "Dracula". What you call "originality" I call "copycats trying to avoid a lawsuit... and failing". Behold originality: theclearancelab.com/nosferatudracula-film-lawsuit/

[@Thespeedrap]

@zain mudassir I hope you're right but wrong.

[@valkyriesardo278]

It does not surprise me in the least that Gary Oldman can win out over competition. He is a phenomenal talent. Some actors are merely a personality, the same character in every role they play. We don't know any more of Oldman than his name. Each of his characters is an entirely different personality and often within the same film as the character within the story. This film remains a favorite. It is gorgeous to the eyes and ears. And who would ever guess that a vampire film could have such a romantic and spiritually uplifting ending for the villain?...."I have crossed oceans of time to find you."

[@ntavares540]

No one can be indifferent to this movie. Masterpiece.

[@johnbrowne2170]

lol.

[@ckotcher1]

Let me get this straight: They thought Johnny Depp wasn’t talented enough for the part but Keanu was?! Now I love me some Keanu but in this movie?

[@ontologicallysteve7765]

It makes me sick to my ever-loving stomach to think how close we were to Depp portraying Harker...!!! He would've been utterly perfect. Instead, we get "woah" as Harker. I love Reeves in films like The Matrix and John Wick, but my goodness, he nearly ruined Bram Stoker's Dracula. And, no: it's not "easy" to see why the studio picked him (as stated in this video). It's a prime example as to why "suits"---- corporate executives---- shouldn't be directly involved in artistic decisions. Coppola wanted Depp. He insisted. But, the greed mongers only cared about the potentiality of money...aaaaaaand it really paid off didn't it? Oh, yes: the decision has stood the test of time. Lol. It's THE single most criticized element of this entire movie. I absolutely adore this film. But, Reeves remains a sore spot for me. From an artistic perspective; it's particularly arduous to overcome. It's difficult to justify, or make excuses for this film when Reeves was SO horrifically miscast. But, nevertheless, it seems the positives far outweigh the negatives. In light of Reeves laughable performance----this is a testament to just how extraordinary this film is. Now, just imagine how tremendous its legacy would be if Depp we're cast...

[@ckotcher1]

Ontologically Stephen amen

[@marcuswalters8093]

From their viewpoint, we had Keanu coming off of Bill and Ted and you had Depp coming off of more artsey films and horror. With pretty much only Bill & Ted to go from, you'd think Reeves had a lot more range and star power than Depp at the time. Just goes to show how wrong you can be.

[@ckotcher1]

Marcus Walters I don’t think that’s it. I honestly think they didn’t hire him because he was dating and then engaged to Winona at the time and I’m sure Coppola didn’t want the added stress of having this young couple and all the drama involved. If they get in a fight or worse-break up then that’s a bad and awkward experience all around. And it was a good call (not hiring Keanu over Johnny because he sucked) but Johnny and Winona DID break up and she was a mess. I just hate that he worked around Winona 🙄. He should have fired Winona, hired Depp and casted a different, better actress. Would have made a much better movie.

[@carterbentonjr399]

I was wondering why they threw over Johnny Depp for Keanu Reeves. I guess Keanu was ok but a little bit too stiff or should I say too Victorian for his attitude.

[@Crimson28]

This film aged like fine Coppola wine 🍷

[@LuluLaRue]

🍷I hear they strain it through his beard... Ahhhhh crass joke, I couldn't help Forgive me👽

[@robf1801]

I tried watching it to other day and couldn't finish; it's just so not good.

[@MRxMADHATTER]

I actually felt sorry for Dracula in this movie. It was such a sad and tragic story. Although the ending was a bit sad it was very fitting. Keanu did ok but it would have been interesting to see Dep play the part.

[@JG_SmileSOBright]

This film is a masterpiece! I can't believe it was all filmed on a set! Wow!!!! One of the most beautifully shot films I've ever seen ❤

[@johnwilkins7321]

Dspite Ryder and Keanu 's performances, its arguably the best version of Dracula..underpinned by Oldman's performance being so utterly mesmeric. Finest screen actor of his generation by a country mile

[@nosuchthing8]

Ryder was fine in the role

[@bigrigJim]

Keanu spoiled the whole film for me . And yes Oldman is one of the greatest actors of all time.

[@RobertoLorenzPianist]

Nothing against Winona! To me she's the best Mina ever.

[@mikochild2]

I was ok with Ryder. Keanu didn't really do it for me. But I agree, this movie was amazing

[@87dramarama]

wrong

[@Fadi-hb7xx]

Best Dracula movie ever, WTF back at u

[@rethalent6272]

Agree

[@gweflj]

Near Dark for me.

[@charliecane3621]

Favourite movie of all time... perfect

[@dancole1378]

exactly

[@brians1793]

I don't think this series is saying the movie came out bad, maybe not quite what it could have been, I think it's more behind the scenes drama and things like that. In this case it probably did impact the movie negatively despite still being a great movie, and decisions like Keanu over Depp I think anyone could agree wasn't the best choice. I personally didn't mind Keanu TBH back when I saw the movie, but didn't realize they could have cast Depp either lol, he would have been arguably the most perfect actor and Keanu was okay at best.

[@semperfi6288]

Oddly enough, of all the names of actors considered for these roles. I can't imagine another cast doing this movie. It's perfection, and the classiest, GREATEST Dracula movie ever.

[@jc.1191]

We're just gonna forget how well Tom Waits sold the Renfield character? He did great.

[@fatfreddyscoat7564]

Creepiest bit in a film ever: the coachman’s stretching arm. Still can’t get over Keanu’s acting and accent in this film: could have been so much better with an actor more suited for the role.

[@cgh7337]

Johnny Depp would've worked

[@PizzaPartify]

Keanu is a nice guy but not really a good actor in any movie. Like the guy above me said, Depp would of been a great choice.

[@tamanwar203]

Everytime I cringe at Keanu in the film, I like to think Coppola purposefully chose a bad actor to underline how lame the character is in the novel... Or maybe I try to find excuses for the movie just because it's my all times favourite film lol

[@mattheww1266]

@@PizzaPartify I disagree and think he comes off and naive which made him perfect for this hole. Just my opinion

[@orangeslash1667]

@@PizzaPartify Johnny Depp is more popular now a days, then the early 90's. Too bad Dracula came before Tim Burtons Edd wood. I think that film is when Johnny became more popular.

[@blaer123]

I love the costumes in this movie. Eiko Ishioka is one of the best costume designers ever...!!! RIP

[@marcuswalters8093]

She passed? That's a shame.

[@blaer123]

@@marcuswalters8093 Yes she passed away. January 21, 2012 (age 73) in Tokyo, Japan. Her last movie was Mirror Mirror (2012)

[@bigstunna2049]

Agreed

[@theSpiritofTamzin]

Agreed!!

[@blaer123]

@Vicente Henriquez Thanks for the comment and Yes The Cell is amazing movie. I love the art direction and costumes. The Cell has a very special and unique style. All my best and take care.

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodyo7863]

Keanu wasn't that bad. His character was supposed to be a dimwit. It's just gary oldman's performance as Dracula was overshadowing. No pun intended.

[@andrewcutler1380]

I think the problem was with his very poor (and inconsistent) British accent, rather than how intelligent the character was.

[@63artemisia63]

YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD KZbinR Harker was not a dimwit in Stoker’s book, boring, yes, but not a dimwit. That was all Keanu. Christian Slater would have been great.

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodyo7863]

@@63artemisia63 Christian slater was good in interview with a vampire but i don't think his accent would have been any better than Keanu. Lol. Maybe dimwit was the wrong word. Naive sounds better. I think johnny depp would have been the better choice.

[@63artemisia63]

YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD KZbinR Absolutely. Too bad money peeps can be so short-sighted. You’re right about CS. I must be thinking about someone else. CS not that great in Mr. Robot, serviceable at best.

[@RayDickulous80]

Not exactly a dimwit but not suited to the life he lived and the job he held, nor the woman he loved. even if it had been Depp, he'd have been overshadowed not only by Oldman, but also Anthony Hopkins, and Tom Waits' Renfield.

[@MsSchizoCat]

"I've crossed oceans of time to find you.." instant moist... lol! But I really do love that scene and this movie...

[@danielduncan6806]

So that is the line that gets you, huh?

[@madsketcher]

....ew!

[@PaulRizzo]

I’m not necessarily a Winona fan, but poor chick. God forbid a young, overworked girl gets sick and collapses. It leads to her making somewhat enemies in the industry? Hollywood sucks.

[@austintrousdale2397]

Despite the controversy, Winona continued to get good roles through the 1990s, although she was eventually overshadowed by Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted. After seemingly forgotten by Hollywood for about a decade, she returned to prominence because of Stranger Things, I’m happy to write.

[@natsohigh5552]

I highly doubt it was due to exhaustion. I have a strong feeling a certain white powder was taking over her life and they used exhaustion as the excuse

[@DrRiddlez2015]

@@austintrousdale2397 There was big scandal involving her being a massive kleptomaniac back in the late 90's, early 2000's that also hurt her career.

[@Thespeedrap]

They really should find more actors instead of working the shit out of one.

[@rxtsec1]

God forbid she shoplifts also

[@marcuswalters8093]

Christ. Depp would have smashed it as Jonathan Harker. It was the only part that was poorly cast.

[@paulbryden4006]

Yeah he would have for sure

[@Collins1118]

1,OOO times better. RDJ has a pretty good English accent, not sure how old he was at the time this was made and if he was going through his heroin addiction at the time. So glad he turned it around. Still Depp #1 and RDJ #2

[@NoReligion77]

Holy crap I said the same thing.

[@Sharkman19D]

I don't really agree. I feel like Depp would have been a swing and a miss at that role.

[@marcuswalters8093]

@@Sharkman19D You do? Why's that? He was just getting started in his career and so his approach wouldn't overwhelm the production. He'd turn in a competent and solid performance.

[@batman.darthmaul]

It's a gorgeous feast for the eyes from the beginning to the end.......I just wish Coppola had gone just a tad more for the horror element.

[@PizzaPenguin650]

More?

[@batman.darthmaul]

@@PizzaPenguin650 Way more.

[@nahuel]

This movie is a masterpiece. Whatever happened in production stayed there because the final product is outstanding.

[@rociomiranda5684]

Truly one of the best interpretations of Dracula, and gorgeous to look at.

[@clavicleofcernunnos]

@UCU5wp9B7-cYnmDpCo6QarQQ It's far better than the goofy disco-haired Frank Langella version from 1979, which was the last American remake before this. That version also cut out the entire Transylvanian part of the story (which IMO is the best part of the novel and any movie adaptation better do it justice) and has that ridiculous flying death scene on the boat. Coppola's is a drastic improvement and uniquely artistic version compared to that mess. The sets and practical effects are gorgeous. Some of the costuming choices are great, but some are so over the top they are distracting. Old Dracula's bouffant is one choice I would have urged Coppola to nix. Also give him a mustache like the younger version (and like in the novel, and like Vlad the Impaler). Not least because Harker is supposed to somehow recognize the young mustachioed Dracula as the clean-shaven old corpse with the butt-shaped hair he met in the castle. Vlad's armor should have looked closer to functional armor from the 1400s. The love story angle kind of ruins the horror of the story, but it does give a unique center to this version. Aside from that aspect, the script follows the events and characters of the book more faithfully than any other theatrical version since the Jesus Franco adaptation (which is far worse than Coppola's in production values, acting, and overall fillmmaking competence). Some other casting choices could have been better. But I can't call this "one of the worst" when any of the 70s versions would rank lower, with far less interesting stuff to look at.

[@wstine79]

Dracula: "Come with me and we will live forever in my castle." Mina: "That would be most good, Dracula. Most good."

[@Xagzan]

I understood that reference

[@ckotcher1]

Her acting is just awful....can we at least get her to show her boob? Yes? Alright! Now we’ve got a movie!

[@FunZies.]

Lol. Yeah, it wasn't just Keanu that was bad. Winona wasn't exactly great either. As someone from the UK, the accents were awful! Hilarious, but awful. :D

[@greenkoopa]

@@FunZies. I say these things all the time 😃

[@FunZies.]

@@greenkoopa Haha. "Car-farx Abbeh." The poshest of posh people wouldn't even pronounce Carfax Abbey like that. XD

[@bradenharris8718]

One of the best lines in cinema was in this movie- women absolutely swoon over it. “I’ve traveled oceans of time to find you”

[@shoesncheese]

I knew what the line was going to be but I still got chills hearing "I've crossed oceans of time to find you." He was magical in that role.

[@natsohigh5552]

Keanu was seriously miscast in this.

[@jasonbowman9521]

In one more year Johnny Depp would star in the movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape. If the producers could see into the future they would know Depp was very capable as an actor.

[@Thespeedrap]

@@jasonbowman9521 Maybe it's a blessing Depp didn't take this role sometimes you can't take everything that's offered to you.

[@athenassigil5820]

Dude, what are thy sayin?

[@pdzombie1906]

@@Thespeedrap If Keanu had made a good job; but his performance sticks out like a soar thumb... Depp would have made the film perfect!

[@Thespeedrap]

@@pdzombie1906 I think Vampire movies are totally overrated now since Twilight came out.Its just gotten corny and weird.

[@Digitalhunny]

Actually, watched this in theatre opening night. We went back, 3 weeks later, to see it again. It was amazing FX & costumes for it's time. In fact, I _personally_ saved up my allowance & paid $55.00 (in 1993) for the soundtrack score. We used it as background music while playing AD&D, it was wonderful! I still have the CD today. 😊

[@accharbs]

I saw it at the theater too here in Toronto. What a trip seeing Keanu after Bill and Ted.

[@filmbuff_show]

i wrote this piece and i believe i agree with almost everything you've said in the previous threads. you should follow me back if you wish.

[@Digitalhunny]

@@accharbs - Shucks, I'm not in the T. But I'd _love_ to start gaming again. _Especially,_ during the winter months! Gotta grab updated books, well the DM's guide & Player's manual at least. Still got my dice though & a few extra surprises for campaigns. Would you attempt playing over web cam, you know, with a small group of like minded folks? Future long term goals being playing in person. 😂

[@Digitalhunny]

@@accharbs - Please, for your safety & privacy, you may want to delete your post meantioning Instagram? I've written it down, along with your handle. 😉

[@accharbs]

@@Digitalhunny Good call, I deleted it. And of course I'd be down for online. Let me know if you end up setting something up.

[@wigzynz]

"Look at what your god has done to me!", Love that line. Kind of portrays his motivations perfectly. Condemning Elizabeta for commiting suicide and himself for confronting his betrayal. Or something like that. PS I was so disappointed to find out that Sadie Frost wasn't a real redhead. I realy looks good on her.

[@carlcat]

I loved this surrealistic version of Dracula. It proved to me just what a creative artist Francis Ford Coppola is. Not to mention his Claret is one of the best wines you can drink for under 20 bucks.

[@scottmoore1614]

So true! And...nice plug for the wine! 😆

[@gretchenbaker7435]

Coppola is cursed with having at least 1 bad actor in all his films.

[@Molimo95]

who's bad in godfather and apocalypse now?

[@kevintesar6748]

My exact thoughts. The only person that comes to mind is James Caan. He's alright, but he doesn't shine as bright as others around him. Apocalypse Now=Perfect

[@Jutrzen]

@@kevintesar6748 James Caan was the best.

[@kevintesar6748]

@@Jutrzen I respect your opinion but I do think it's wrong. Brando, DeValue, and Pacino were the best. Caan was secondary.

[@rumblefish9]

@@Molimo95 Sophia Coppola in Godfather 3 lol

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

"It was nice of Mr. Burns to invite us to his mansion in... Pennsylvania." [dun dun dunnnn]

[@stuka80]

to this day, my favorite Dracula movie.

[@connermoss1994]

I feel that having Johhny Depp could have made this film something far more special. His look would have worked perfect, as he goes grey ect I feel Depp would have bought something else to that and the characters journey. It would have been like a back and fourth with Depp and Oldman in terms of fantastic acting and potentially been something seriously special.

[@DrDolan2000]

I agree. I'm always happy to see Keanu Reeves, but even his acting in this movie... leaves plenty to be desired. But Jonathan isn't very interesting anyway, so I don't really care

[@user-dv6nh3mu3y]

Feels like johnny could fit well to play as jonathan harker

[@orangeslash1667]

@@user-dv6nh3mu3y Yes

[@jeremiahm1413]

I absolutely in every way love this movie. That orchestra soundtrack is so haunting. Great practical effects. We were so blessed to get this movie before CGI hosed films like this. The bat form of Dracula is a true terror in this one, and I'm glad we don't see much of it. Makes it far more mysterious. Gary Oldman absolutely killed it in this movie.

[@rext8949]

Dracula is all about personality and atmosphere and Coppola got it right as far as Oldman and the sets were concerned. Must be one of the few times that a film didn't go to many exotic locations but was completely shot in the US itself. I loved it for the silent menace of Oldman as also for the many fantasy scenes.

[@om3japan]

Finally a review on Coppola's Dracula, one of my most revered films of all times.

[@marjoriedanis9744]

wow the chemistry and passion between Oldman and Rider was so amazing in the movie, i could never have think that they didnt really like each others at the time of filming!

[@nevermind-he8ni]

Gary Oldman really shines here. One of the great talents of our generation when given the chance...

[@eddead4235]

Winona bouncing in blue see through down stairs is awesome

[@nurgle333]

A man of culture as well, I see

[@NotMorganFreeman.]

This is the comment I was looking for.

[@seanjonesy180]

It's stood the test of time and earned a place at the top tier of adaptations. Fair play

[@zorin79]

I saw this move in the theater as a 17 year old. Never felt like I needed to see it again ever. Not that it was bad but it burned it images into my soul.

[@Xagzan]

Obsolete or not I'll take these practical effects every single damn day over what we have now. And why should we as audiences be encouraging productions to "make it easy on themselves?" Look at the results here. I'd rather see movies go above and beyond to create quality. Although, now that you mention certain vampire movies that were inspired by this depiction, maybe Coppola didn't do such a wonderful thing after all...

[@Highbrowser]

It’s a judgment call, not a hard and fast rule. Even Nolan will do things digitally when its called for. Heck, this movie had a morph in the end.

[@aliensoup2420]

Terry Gilliam is the master of in-camera, practical effects. Either method is great when performed by a competent artist, or awful when not. It often is determined by time and budget.

[@kymmoore853]

I agree, it’s why the original Star Wars films have aged so well compared to the new ones.

[@marcuswalters8093]

They were seamlessly added into the film and at times gave it a strange, dreamlike quality. I love it.

[@marcuswalters8093]

Can we talk for a second about Annie Lennox's theme song? It's brilliant. Somehow contemporary and having a 19th century feel to it. Lyrically, it could be in either era. I imagine a singer belting this out in a music hall as the crowd sings along with it. I'd love to hear a version with all the modern instruments swapped out with 19th century ones

[@stanley-fghijk441]

The redhead in this is one of the hottest onscreen redeheads ever.

[@yippykiyay89]

The redhead is the only memory I have from this movie

[@Emulous79]

You got so carried away you almost wrote red dead redemption, lol.

[@artboymoy]

@Gerd Wiesler I got your hentai, right here! :p

[@thedys70]

But not quite in the same league as Jessica Chastain, or arguably, Julianne Moore....

[@uchibenkei]

@@thedys70 julianne moore is fugly

[@gildeayoung2623]

It's so good, and for the most part, quite true to the book, even if the Dracula-Mina storyline differs. It captures the feel of the book - Dr Seward and Renfield's relationship most of all. Gary Oldman is amazing. Last but not least the score and cinematography do the book justice! And that is high praise

[@lechat8533]

Thank you for this interesting documentation. I love this movie. I watched it when it came out, and I fell in love with Gary Oldman and his blue sunglasses. He played Dracula epically well. His acting truly enchanted me. Winona Ryder was beautiful like a picture, Keanu was refreshingly innocent, Anthony Hopkins was fantastic as always, and all actors were just great. Regardless of the problems Gary and Winona seemed to have in their relationship, on-screen the sexual tension was very noticeable. The music was different, creepy, and outstanding. The Costumes and the Makeup were unbelievable, and Dracula`s movements (especially the "spider walk") scared the bejesus out of me. All in all, this movie delivers so much beauty that one can bare the necessary ugliness of a devastated Vampire.

[@cmdrcriton]

Oldman should have won an Oscar

[@MegaCygnusX1]

One of my faves. "I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH TO COMDEMN YOU."

[@MatteoPreziosoPH]

"All I need is a mark..." "There isn't such a mark!" love it.

[@carlarochachi5331]

Love never dies. This movie is a classic and my fave forever

[@mmclaurin8035]

I love Keanu, but CHRIST...he was awful in this movie.

[@tylerdordon99]

He was awful in many movies but you can't help but like the guy for some reason.

[@yippykiyay89]

@@tylerdordon99 I'm with you...I love Keanu, whilst likeable and charming, he is not a good actor, although he seems to have gotten better in the last decade

[@tylerdordon99]

@Ram Attack I think Johnny can deliver his lines better and he proved to be good in films with Gothic settings with Tim Burton. the problem with Keanu is that he struggled with delivering the dialogue.

[@manchesterunitedno7]

@Ram Attack I digress. Johnny Depp will fare better than Keanu, he loves his quirky gothic movies like no other.

[@tylerdordon99]

@Ram Attack I don't really like Johnny but he's way better than Keanu.

[@Ali-zy2qj]

I have crossed oceans of time to find you, JoBlo.

[@dianebenson5719]

It would have been more romantic if he added, "will you marry me, bear my child and let me die in your arms?"

[@seraphik]

"I have crossed oceans of time to find you." man, that hits deep.

[@jeanettebenton3851]

This is the best version of this story. It's a love story that puts Shakespeare to shame. Love that transcends life, death, Satan and God. It is beautiful!!!!

[@TorontoJediMaster]

You should watch the 1977 BBC version with Louis Jourdan. IMO, that's the best version.

[@anubusx]

Gary Oldman also played Mason Verger in Hannibal.

[@LuluLaRue]

Yes!!! He was fantastic in True Romance as well...and anything else he's in🤓

[@leegsy]

@@LuluLaRue Yeti!

[@J_Braz_]

What was left of him at least.

[@giraffesareselfish9563]

@@LuluLaRue I absolutely hate the movie with him, Bruce Willis, Chris Tucker, I can't think of the name of it.

[@LuluLaRue]

@@giraffesareselfish9563 5th Element? 🤓 his choice of accent was so weird...

[@fairwarning007]

When watching Keanu in this movie, I always imagine him telling Count Dracula that he knows kung fu. lol

[@stuka80]

lolll seriously, also i was just waiting for him to go "whoaa"

[@psychedforlife7176]

I was 10 and this movie scared me so bad. I woke up my mom screaming in panic when I was walking down the dark hallway and admitted to watching it.

[@noahdanielg]

I love how every year at least one new video is made about this movie, it's so damn good. It will stand the test of time forever. Never knew there was such high-quality behind-the-scenes footage.

[@Psilocybin77]

I loved this movie when I saw this in theatres and have grown to appreciate it as I grow older. From the cast, tone, art design, score, and direction; everything works. Been a massive fan of Gary Oldman since this and True Romance.

[@rhoadnaroahs]

Saw it opening day in '92! A classic!

[@BigSteelThrill]

The costumes were totally incredible.

[@AaronShaunBrennan]

This is the best horror movie I have ever seen.

[@aln608]

And let's not forget Mary Shelley's Frankenstein 1994 also who deserve a WTF episode because it was supposed to be direct by Francis Ford Coppola but steps down from director chair and said he regretted his decision. Can you guys believe it Dracul and Frankenstein both movies by Coppola and side note, I kinda like Frankenstein, but it is obvious that miss his touch !

[@rxtsec1]

I'm sure Coppola's version of Frankenstein would have been a masterpiece but I didn't hate the version we got either.

[@carterbentonjr399]

Who knows he could have done his of the Wolfman, The Mummy, & The Creature From The Black Lagoon.

[@MrHootiedean]

Bram Stoker's Dracula remains one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen! I didn't like it as much as a kid when it came out because I couldn't understand all of Oldman's dialogue but when I watched it with closed captioning as an adult, the film has become one of my favorites!

[@spottedbutt]

The costumes were unbelievable in that film. Very cool

[@michaelmichaelson8861]

Nothing bad happened - it's a damn good movie and probably the best overall adaption of the novel so far.

[@OlizerVanAntoninus]

Have you ever watched the 1977 BBC version? It's not bad.

[@MrPrice2U]

Reeves almost killed this movie.

[@thedys70]

Blame the suits, not the Dude!

[@Teeb2023]

His casting did, yes.

[@TheAuteurist]

My favorite Keanu line from the film: "I know where the bastard sleeps!" 😀

[@oldfrend]

in my head he totally said, 'dude!' at the end XD

[@thedys70]

@@oldfrend considering his best friend was one of the Lost Boys, he wayyyyyyyyy needs to decide where his loyalty lies....

[@zecraw]

Mine is, "How can you pity such a creature?"

[@imcallingjapan2178]

Bloody blue inferno!

[@YouKnowWhereYouWentWrong]

All this talent (Coppola, Oldman, Hopkins, Oscar winners all) could elevate a straightforward telling of the Stoker novel, but look what we were left with. I was barely in my 20's when I saw this film and of course I thought it was wonderful. Having since seen Max Schreck in 1922's "Nosferatu" I know what truly unsettling cinema can look like. And that damn movie was in black & white and had title cards.

[@heatherdale5571]

Like the monster himself...this film has always enticed and repelled...a classic for sure. It was AMAZING on the screen at the time though. Seriously beautiful.

[@mariavienna1305]

Johnny Deep would be such a great fit

[@KidDinomite07]

An underappreciated gem. Would love to see a re-cut of this film at some point with the deleted scenes added. However, Reeves was horribly miscast and Ryder uses the 'deer in headlights' approach to acting(you could play a drinking game every time they come onscreen) the overall ensemble cast was amazing! Gary Oldman is the greatest actor of all time!!!! Fun fact - A young Monica Bellucci played one of the three vampire women.

[@monmothma3358]

Winona Ryder was very good. She can't help being doe eyed ;) Keanu was the only weak link.

[@87dramarama]

are u high

[@stefanie3831]

Winona's acting is a tribute to heroines of old Hollywood where every expression was exaggerated. All of the cast members went a bit over the top in this movie. So did the costume design, the hairstyles, the setting.. It's a stylistic choice, not overacting.

[@cordlesswire]

one of the best intros of a movie ever. i often rewatch just the intro. and then the entire movie. lol.

[@NestedVideoProductions]

I had no idea how badass of an effects guy Roman Coppola is. The practicals hold up beautifully

[@YolandaAnneBrown95726]

I had read the script the year that this came out, and I loved the teaser posters. Opening night I had a friend who was the manager of a theater showing it, so I was lucky to have seen it opening night because every other theater showing it had sold out. I cried so much while watching it, and decades later I still cry. Yeah Keanu Reeves kind of brought it down a little, the rest of the cast made up for it.

[@alwaysopen7970]

It's been 18 years.....where do you get decades?

[@Westwood1816]

@@alwaysopen7970 What??? 27 years. Use your calculator.

[@brandthenderson9787]

"It is no laughing matter"!!!

[@ASortedCollection]

Beautiful cinematography, costuming, film score and selection of acting talent.

[@Dogwater2727]

You just keep putting out great content. Great job to you all. Love it.