Dracula et al.

Ah, Bram Stoker's Dracula is probably my fave. Very true to the book when it needed to be and very creepy.

I Like Anne Rices-Interview with the Vampire because she made it seem like it really happened...maybe it did. LOL

Also enjoyed Salems Lot. It left you on the edge of your seat.

There are so many Dracula movies...I like them all!

I really love "Dracula 2000." It is has a very unique, and very goth take on the origins of our old friend Dracula!Dracula 2000

Jes, I agree that Bram Stoker's Dracula was fairly true to the book. But it didn't appeal to me as much as some other vampire movies.

colorbook, Interview with a Vampire was very much like a real interview in the book. I thought this was less so in the movie.

hobitbob, I missed that one. I'll have to be on the look out for it.

Roberta, I read the book also. It was great to see the characters come to life in the movie. However, I do agree that the book was much better...the book is always better than the movie.

colorbook, Many moons ago in another forum, I started a thread entitled, "But the Book Was Better." The book usually is better.

My favorite is the version with Frank Langella. Late 70's, early 80's. He played the lead on Broadway and infused the role with sex. Women in the audiences squealed with delight, according to the reviews. Dracula was hot! Then they made the movie.

eoe, I saw Dracula on Broadway with Frank Langella. The sexual tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Whew. Although the movie wasn't bad, I'm glad I saw the show. Is it hot in here or is it just me?

Oh how I envy you. I remember reading, in either Time or Newsweek, about the commotion Langella was causing on the Great White Way during the run of that show. That women were actually calling out from the audience "bite me!" What a hoot!

I saw Langella on B'way, too. He was amazing.

I also watched Shadow of the Vampire this weekend, Boida. Willem Dafoe must have had a blast playing that role. I don't think I've ever seen him play so campy a part.

Mac, was that you drooling in the seat next to me? You're right about Dafoe. I'm sure he had fun with the part. I thought he did a great job. Whoda thunk that someone could be creepier than John Malkevich. LOL?

"Shadow of the Vampire" was extremely well done and I also love the original silent "Nesferatu" it was inspired by. Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula" had a lot going for it with a handsome production design, again the love/sexual tension storyline and an invigorating, classically inspired soundtrack. I found some of the performances to be stilted, almost comic book, but then "Dracula" isn't really considered a literary masterpiece -- it was the pulp fiction of its day. It's become a classic because of the filmations.

The remake of "Nosferatu" was also excellent with Klaus Kinski as the vampire -- it's subtile was "Phantom of the Night." A link:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079641/combined