Lush version of the old Dracula story  very well-made, though not as faithful to the book as people like to suggest.

Rating: 8/10 (26 July 2006)

You might think that with a title like "Bram Stoker's Dracula", this 1992 version of the oft-filmed tale might stick more closely to the Bram Stoker original than most of its predecessors. And there is a little truth in that, but not nearly to the extent that certain misinformed film critics would have us believe. Maltin called it a "sumptuous retelling of the Dracula legend as originally conceived by Stoker in his 1897 novel". Erm actually Mr Maltin, this film alters quite a lot from the Dracula of Stoker's conception. Variety was even wider of the mark, stating that this was "both the most extravagant screen telling of the oft-filmed story and the one most faithful to its literary source". Had either of these critics actually READ the book? I would suggest probably not. For a start, the film hinges its story on the concept that Dracula declared war on God when his bride-to-be committed suicide in the 15th Century, and after 400 years feeding off blood eventually found what he believed to be her reincarnation living in London under the name Mina Harker. Anyone who has read the book will know that none of this is taken from it. I get very annoyed when people say that this version follows the novel more faithfully than any other, because any fan of Stoker's book will be able to tell you that it really isn't all that faithful at all. Having said all that, if we take "Bram Stoker's Dracula" on a film level  as we should, since it IS a film after all  then there's plenty here to enjoy and admire.
Romanian prince Vlad Dracula (Gary Oldman) fights and wins a fearsome battle against the Turks in the 15th Century. The beaten Turks fire an arrow into his castle tied to which is a note that deceitfully informs his bride that he has died in battle. Upon finding the note, his bride Elisabeta (Winona Ryder) kills herself. When Dracula returns and finds her dead, he erupts into a frenzy of violence and declares war on God, vowing to rise from his own death to have his revenge. The story leaps forward to the 19th Century, where young estate agent Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves) heads off to Transylvania to help a reclusive count (Oldman, again) complete the purchase of a property in London. Harker realises pretty quickly that the count is both dangerous and inhuman, but by this time he is imprisoned in the castle with no hope of escape. Dracula makes his way to England, where he spots Harker's fiancée Mina (Ryder, again) and believes her to be the reincarnation of his long-mourned Elisabeta. Dracula's big mistake is that he first vampirises one of Mina's closest friends, Lucy (Sadie Frost), thereby alerting others that he is on the loose. Famed doctor and vampire expert Abraham Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins) is brought in to deal with the threat posed by this ultimate Lord of the Undead.
The film is stunningly designed with lots of incredible visual trickery, including atmospheric red skies, point-of-view camera shots as Dracula prowls around in the guise of a wolf, clever tricks with shadows, moody lighting and awesome sets. The events on screen are brilliantly emphasised by Wojciech Kilar's tremendous score (arguably the best music score from any film of the '90s). The performances vary somewhat, with Ryder doing exceptional work as Mina Harker and Hopkins enjoying himself in a hammy yet controlled display as the vampire hunter Van Helsing. Oldman's Dracula is interestingly portrayed too, alternately threatening and tormented, intimidating and insecure. Reeves tries hard as Jonathan Harker but doesn't quite convince; Richard E. Grant and Cary Elwes are wasted in under-written roles as, respectively, Dr Seward and Lord Arthur Holmwood. On the whole "Bram Stoker's Dracula" is a very impressive achievement and a film of real depth and flamboyance. It differs from the book, so don't be fooled by those who try to say that it is the most faithful adaptation ever made. Instead, approach this one on a film level and enjoy it for its visual splendour, its amazing music and its frequently engrossing performances.