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Frank Langella, Laurence Olivier, Donald Pleasence, Kate Nelligan, Trevor Eve ... see more see more... , Jan Francis , Janine Duvitski , Teddy Turner , Joe Belcher , Anthony Haygarth , Kristine Howatih , Sylvester McCoy , Gabor Vernon , Peter Wallis , Frank Henson , Tony Haygarth

In the late '70s, Frank Langella starred in the hit Broadway play Dracula, written by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston. Langella's charisma and the surreal, black-and-white sets designed by carto... read more read more...onist Edward Gorey were the chief outstanding features of the play, which was otherwise undistinguished. While this film production of the play boasts performances by stage veterans Lord Laurence Olivier and Donald Pleasance, as well as Frank Langella as the suavest of counts, it was neither a critical nor a box-office success, doubtlessly because expectations ran too high. One highlight of this production is its skillful use of special effects. The standard story of Bram Stoker's original novel is re-created here: the undead count arranges to move from his home in Transylvania to Whitby, and once there, a reign of terror begins. He is opposed by the canny Doctor Van Helsing (Laurence Olivier), who eventually triumphs. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Flixster Users

52% liked it

9,305 ratings

Critics

64% liked it

11 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: John Badham

Release Date: July 20, 1979

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DVD Release Date: October 10, 2000

Stats: 348 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (348)

  • spielberg00
    October 8, 2011
    spielberg00
    1979 saw a decent adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic horror/romance novel.

    It's easy to admit that this version of DRACULA is seemingly less popular and less remembered than the same-titled 1992 film or even DRACULA 2000; but this one deserves the praise it does not get.... read more

    Though I'd have to say that without the performance from Laurence Olivier, this would have just been a bloody mess. Instead, it's rather well-acted, well-directed. (Maybe it wasn't just Olivier.)

    Well, to sum it up, DRACULA was enjoyable. Rent it--but remember: 1979, not 1992. 1979, not 1992. And not 2000. 'Nuff said, for sure.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 20, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    The marketing was good, but it's so terribly dated now.
  • garyX
    May 29, 2007
    garyX
    Rather unfairly slated by critics, I actually think this is one of the better tellings of the count's story. Sticking quite closely to the literary source, and with a strong supporting cast of thesps it's much better than Coppolla's irritatingly self absorbed vanity project.
  • guttersnipe28
    November 16, 2006
    guttersnipe28
    Rather smokin' adaptation. This time round, The Count is played by Frank Langella, who not only tackles the material with aplomb, but looks considerably younger than Lugosi or Lee, altering his sense of threat somewhat, giving it an uncanny... boyishness. As future adaptations we... read morere to explore, the sense of sexual threat is heightened here, giving the film a claustophic horror. This is aided by some marvellous sweeping camera work (cinematographer Gilbert Taylor worked on The Omen and frequently with Roman Polanski). The supporting parts are finely played too (Renfield is played to a T). Will always be in the shadows of Hammer and Browning's version, but definately worth a look.
  • fb9426219
    December 31, 2011
    fb9426219
    No movie really captures the magic and mysticism of the story or keeps close to the book and this is no exception. While the movie does a very good job of setting the gloomy tone and Frank Langella as Count Dracula is a home run the movie completely cuts off the first part of the... read more story and removes critical characters like Lucyâ(TM)s suitors. This unfortunately decentralizes Jonathan Harker as the main character and oversimplifies the story and main themes. The other major problem is that the pace seems to slow and it loses some the excitement and adventure that should be there for Dracula.
  • PinkMinkPrincess
    October 31, 2011
    PinkMinkPrincess
    An adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula with a young & handsome Frank Langella as Count Dracula, & Kate Nelligan as his Love Interest,Lucy.Though I prefer Bram Stokers Dracula with Gary Oldham, Winona Ryder, & Anthony Hopkins(One of my all time favorite Films actually), this vers... read moreion is very lovely visually & has additional family relationships & other details I really like to the story.This Story has always been a Love Story, set to a Dracula theme to me.But then, films like this are why girls have fantasies about Dracula.
  • dcrees
    November 17, 2008
    dcrees
    Of all the vampire stories, the original tale of Dracula is my favorite. It goes past horror and straight into self destruction. It's the seduction of the shadows. The carnal nature of sin. How we can see something that we know is wrong and destructive and yet our mind and bo... read moredy is clouded with nothing but desire for it. Dracula has always struck a chord in humanity. And Frank Langella is nothing but the charmer in this version. I will admit that I was put off at first by his english (instead of romanian) accent. But what I really liked was that Donald Pleasence took time off from hunting Michael Myers to help Van Helsing take down Dracula.
  • saltersheppard
    September 21, 2008
    saltersheppard
    This wasn't too bad actually. There''s a great scene with Kate Nelligan in bed after Dracula's attack. She looked lovely.
  • filmguy55
    May 7, 2008
    filmguy55
    I piss some people off about this film but I liked Frank Langella as Dracula. John Badham puts fresh spine on the legend.
  • terryc1000
    January 11, 2008
    terryc1000
    Great update to the old classics. This movie follows the traditional Dracula story with style. Provocative and luring. A must see for Dacula fans

View All Dracula Reviews

Critic Reviews

Brian Holcomb
February 1, 2010
Brian Holcomb, Kinetofilm

This is sort of a Saturday Night Fever version of the story with a stylish, afro'ed Langella walking around with an open shirt looking for girls to take to his Castle Disco. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
April 21, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

Granted, it's staged and composed like Masterpiece Theatre. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
January 26, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

The casting is right on target and the atmosphere fittingly eerie in director John Badham's suspenseful, handsomely-mounted 1979 version.

Ken Hanke
November 5, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Nice production values, but that's about it

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Just doesn't fly.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 9, 2005
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Boo Allen
January 12, 2007
Boo Allen, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
August 14, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Frank Swietek
February 13, 2005
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

No review available.

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Dracula Trivia

  • In Bram Stoker's Dracula, who played Jonathan?  Answer »
  • Which book has been adapted into a film the most times?  Answer »
  • *Name the Actor by his Characters* Zorg Dracula Jim Gordon Sirius Black  Answer »
  • Bela Lugosi was the original dracula, when he died in 1956 what was he wearing when he was buried?  Answer »
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