Gothic brilliance

Rating: 9/10 (6 August 2004)

I must admit that I saw this film after reading the book and I was therefore ready to point out any errors that the director/writers made. However to my surprise I found myself really drawn into the world of Francis Ford Coppola and his spin on the classic tale.
It must be set from the start that Dracula would not be an easy book to adapt from, as rather than there being one long narration, the story is told through a series of diary entries that sometimes conflict and overlap. However while the story of Stoker's book is not strictly true, the atmosphere that comes from this movie would do no writer shame.
This is mainly to do with the cast. Winona Ryder makes an engaging Mina Murray and Anthony Hopkins is very good as the old Van Helsing. It is only Keanu Reeves that doesn't measure up with his performance of Harker, seemingly attempting to cover a thin British accent with a lot of British chiches.
But as good as Hopkins and Ryder are, it is Gary Oldman as the Count himself that really drives this movie. His brilliant ability to play both the old and the young count with aplomb as well as his menacing yet somehow sensual demeanor is what really what makes this movie shines. Other actors that deserve mention are Richard E. Grant as Dr Seward and Tom Waifs as the lunatic Reinheld.
Bram Stoker's Dracula is a quintessential Gothic film that encapsulates the darkness of the novel. I think it is the best of the tellings of this tale.