Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Gary Oldman, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, Winona Ryder

The centuries old vampire Count Dracula comes to England to seduce his barrister Jonathan Harker’s fiancée Mina Murray and inflict havoc in the foreign land.

The many faces (and shapes) of a powerful vampire is so incredibly well illustrated in ‘Dracula’, or ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ as it is known. Gary Oldman is FANTASTIC as Dracula – probably one of the best Dracula performances I’ve seen.

Jonathan (Keanu Reeves) is working for a law firm and sent to Dracula to present him with the paperwork for property he is a about to purchase – ten houses in precise locations (don’t believe they ever mention the significance of this…). On his arrival at Dracula’s castle, he soon realizes something sinister going on, and finds himself a prisoner. Sadly, Keanu Reeves is miscast as Jonathan. He is unconvincing, and the character itself is not a character I cared for much. An unknown actor would have been better for the role.

Winona Ryder stars as Jonathan’s love interest, Mina. But, as mentioned, I didn’t really care for their love story since I didn’t care for Jonathan. I was far more interested in Lucy (Sadie Frost) – Mina’s friend, and ultimately the unconventional love story between Mina and Dracula.

The film is constantly foreboding and disturbing, with stunning make-up, costumes and visuals (watch the shadows; it’s really creepy!). Anthony Hopkins is very good, as usual, as vampire hunter Professor Van Helsing. Again, I can’t stress enough how perfect Gary Oldman was in the role of Dracula! The film does become somewhat weird as the story unfolds, but it is all good. This is a thoroughly enjoyable vampire flick, and stunningly well made.

‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ earned nearly $216 million on a $40 million budget. It received 49 award nominations, winning 24 – including three Oscars (Best Costume Design, Best Effects Sound Effects Editing, Best Makeup).

Would I watch it again? Absolutely!