Dutch postcard by Film Freak Productions, Zoetermeer, no. FA 346. Photo: Columbia Pictures. Publicity still from
Dracula (Francis Coppola, 1992).
Dracula (Francis Coppola, 1992) or
Bram Stoker's Dracula is an American gothic horror film directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. It stars
Gary Oldman as Count Dracula,
Winona Ryder as Mina Harker,
Anthony Hopkins as Professor Abraham Van Helsing, and
Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker.
This 1992 version of Dracula is closely based on Bram Stoker's classic novel. The film opens with Count Dracula's vow to rise from his grave and take revenge on a God who allowed his beloved to die while he defended Him on the battlefield. In the 1890s, Count Dracula conducts business with a London firm. When his first consultant goes mad, the young barrister Jonathan Harker is assigned and sent to a gloomy castle in the mists of Transylvania to arrange Dracula's real estate acquisition in London. Harker is captured and imprisoned there by the centuries-old vampire. Count Dracula travels to London, inspired by a photograph of Harker's fiancée, Mina Murray. He believes that she is the reincarnation of Elisabeta, his long lost love. In Britain, Dracula begins a reign of seduction and terror, draining the life of Mina's closest friend, Lucy Westenra. Lucy's friends gather together and call for Professor Van Helsing to come and help. They realise that this is not a simple battle against a disease of the blood.
Francis Coppola gave the film rich colours in the scenery and elaborate costumes that bring the goth out of the film. He also worked well with shadows and backlighting. He gave the film the feel of an old silent film but with modern standards, thanks to some wild special effects. The costume design by Eiko Ishioka created a new image for the Count and for the first time freed him from the black cape and evening wear the character had become associated with since Bela Lugosi's portrayal in Dracula (Tod Browning, 1931). The haunting and romantic score was composed by Wojciech Kilar. And Gary Oldman made a very memorable Dracula. His performance is ranging from creepy and disturbing to romantic and charming. However, there are also scenes that are over the top and overacted.
Dracula (1992) was theatrically released in the United States to positive reviews. The film was seen as a game-changer, which established a tone and style that redefined cinematic vampires. It created a host of new vampire film tropes, like retractable fangs, vampires turning into literal bat-men, and a steampunk aesthetic. The film grossed $215 million against a production budget of $40 million. It was nominated for four Academy Awards and won three for Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, and Best Makeup. The closing credits theme 'Love Song for a Vampire', written and performed by Annie Lennox, became an international success.
Sources: Wikipedia and IMDb.
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