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CREEPY CLASSICS presents... |
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MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Saturday September 22, 2012 - MOVIE - Thriller "DRACULA" (1974). Starring Jack Palance. Jack Palance stars in a intense study on the Prince of Darkness. This version directed by Dan (THE NIGHT STALKER) Curtis. Suggested by Justin Thompson - Warerloo, IA.
I was able to watch this one on Saturday night. I had remembered seeing it once before. My thoughts were that I liked it, but it's been a while and details were vague. After watching closely, I found this an excellent version of Dracula, and saw why my memory was favorable. Dan Curtis filmed this in Europe on location in Hungary and England. So we have great locations, good story (with a little added history between Dracula and Lucy) and excellent acting. Above and beyond the acting, I found Jack Palance just simply great. He was perfect and you might not think that. But he was totally powerful and evil in the creepiest sense. -Ron Adams, Ligonier, PA
It certainly strays from the source novel, but I belive this works in its favor. From the first shot of Dracula moving rapidly toward the camera to the final shot of his demise, the whole film just flows right for me. I have always enjoyed this version and after subsequent viewings it has become my favorite interpretation. Palance is powerful and scary, but also can show tenderness and sorrow when thinking back to how he lost his love when he was a living man. Its amazing how it plays like a feature but was originally aired on television. Great way to start off Halloween viewing!
I remember seeing this when it first aired when I was a kid. I think I liked it, was frightened. The only scene that really stuck in my head is when Jack Palance had Mina drink his blood from his chest, that made an impression on me. I have been wanting to include my list of favorite vampire films with the rest of the group, and I thought of including this ahead of 1931's Dracula, but in this viewing I was left wanting. I realized why despite its staginess and slow pace, I love the Lugosi DRACULA - Renfield! The Dan Curtis version did not have a Renfield like character, and it could have used some of the looniness. Palance was a great Dracula, and I was reminded of his portrayal of the gunfighter in SHANE, a perfectly monstrous role in a great western. At the same time it was often slow and too serious. So now I present my list of favorite vampire movies. 1. Captain Kronos -Quieny SATURDAY NIGHT/WEEKEND SYNC-UP. DETAILS BY CLICKING HERE.
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Couldn't agree more Ron. I think you just about covered it. Definitely the authentic location work by Dan Curtis adds to the feel of the film and the acting is top notch. You forget all of Palance's other roles when watching his performance as Dracula.
