Horror of Dracula/Curse of Frankenstein DVDs--what happened?

JeffS · 16th July 2002, 03:16 PM

I thought that Mr. Lee was going to contribute to these DVDs? Preliminary reports are that the DVDs will only have trailers. Hopefully these are just preliminary reports. Both discs are set for Oct. 1, 2002 and retail for $19.98. Also no reports on if they'll be letterboxed or not.

Artwork available at http://www.dvddrive-in.com

Cheers.

**Susan Pitcher** · 16th July 2002, 06:45 PM

I'm always happy to see a new DVD come out, but one can't help but feel disappointed if there is little more to offer than a VHS tape release. The marketers often use multiple version DVDs as bait to get people to buy more than one copy.

In fact, it's my understanding that if you wait a month or so after the LoTR DVD comes out, there will be a new enhanced version on the market with more bells n' whistles than the earlier one. Kind of irksome, but at least we can be grateful that our faves are coming out on DVD so we can fill out our collections by picking and choosing which ones we want (and some people buy two or more :D . . . .)

**Dave Hutchens** · 16th July 2002, 10:13 PM

It's my understanding that Mr. Lee will not be doing commentary work for the upcoming Dracula and Frankenstein DVDs. This topic was discussed at length here a number of months back. Nonetheless, there certainly are advantages to their being released to DVD, foremost being widescreen presentation and incomparable DVD clarity.

Regarding LOTR, the theatrical version will be released in about three weeks, followed by a four-disc and then a five-disc set in November. The four-disc will be the director's cut (approximately one hour longer, I'm told), plus much bells and whistles, and the five-disc will be the same plus a National Geographic special on the making of the film on the fifth disc.

**Frederick Bergstrom** · 17th July 2002, 01:36 PM

DVD picture quality is uncomparable. I could care less about extras when it comes to having the 2 best CL horror films in a DVD format. I can watch over and over again without losing any quality with each viewing

**Matt Gemmell** · 17th July 2002, 02:18 PM

I would love every DVD to be filled to the brim with extras but it's not always the case.
Personally , I'll be delighted to have these two classics in mint condition , proper ratio and accompanied by trailers.
Remember , it was'nt that long ago when all we had was a grainy VHS or something taped off TV.

17th July 2002, 07:06 PM

I have the old NTSC laserdisc releases of CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and HORROR OF DRACULA - I will probably get the DVDs if there is something extra - I understood that Warners had obtained "material" from the estate(?) of Peter Cushing.

Will HoD have the extra gory scenes ommitted from most versions....

Jurious · 17th July 2002, 08:35 PM

I still have the 'grainy VHS tapes' and films recorded off TV! :D I have a DVD player - it's having enough money for all the DVDs that's the problem! :P

I can do with or without extras, though - I buy the DVDs for the films. If there are extras, that's great, but it's just an added bonus (unless you're talking about "Dungeons & Dragons", where the extras were better than the film! LOL).

**Dave Hutchens** · 18th July 2002, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Will HoD have the extra gory scenes ommitted from most versions....

My understanding is that those shots no longer exist.

**Matt Gemmell** · 18th July 2002, 12:56 PM

Will HoD have the extra gory scenes ommitted from most versions.... [/b][/quote]
These scenes were reinstated a long time ago.If there is anything missing now it is only a few shots of Dracula disintegrating at the end .This scene was longer for the asian market but does not exist anymore .The only visual record of it now is a very grainy black and white stil that has been published in Wayne Kinseys excellent Dracula special of The House That Hammer Built.
If you were lucky enough to catch Dracula or as our American friends know it Horror Of Dracula,on the big screen about 5 years ago you would have been treated to the fully restored print.
It looks fantastic and I can't wait for the DVD.

**Alfonso Casal** · 18th July 2002, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by matt gemmell
These scenes were reinstated a long time ago.If there is anything missing now it is only a few shots of Dracula disintegrating at the end .This scene was longer for the asian market but does not exist anymore .The only visual record of it now is a very grainy black and white stil that has been published in Wayne Kinseys excellent Dracula special of The House That Hammer Built.

Matt,

As far I was aware, the only missing scene was that extended Dracula disintegration at the end. What other scenes were missing?

**Matt Gemmell** · 18th July 2002, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Matt,

As far I was aware, the only missing scene was that extended Dracula disintegration at the end. What other scenes were missing?

Not much Alfonso . In fact lots of people would'nt even notice.
1.........When Van Helsing stakes Lucy , 2 second cut removing a shot of the stake being struck
2........ Same scene ,further cut removing a shot of Van Helsings bloodied hand.

These were removed many years ago and then reinstated ,however ,some of the cut prints were sold to TV companies around the world and were in general use for some time.
Most versions doing the rounds today will be complete , in fact , I have never seen a cut one .When I mentioned the recent re-release print I was referring to the marvelous picture quality.
Hopefully Warners will have the best print available for the DVD release .Anything else would be criminal.

**Dave Hutchens** · 18th July 2002, 09:53 PM

Quote:

As far I was aware, the only missing scene was that extended Dracula disintegration at the end. What other scenes were missing?

I'm pretty sure that's it. Not certain what Matt's referring to, but he's quite right that the extended disintegration, that I've only ever seen that one famous still of, no longer exists.

**Matt Gemmell** · 18th July 2002, 10:17 PM

[quote]Originally posted by davehutchens
[b]

. Not certain what Matt's referring to,

See above thread:)
It looks like you and I were typing our replies at the same time Dave. Well you know what they say about great minds or is that fools seldom differ ;)

**Matt Gemmell** · 18th July 2002, 11:36 PM

As I mentioned earlier , the missing scenes ( apart from the disintegration) were of a minor nature so to avoid any confusion I've detailed them below .( Special thanks to Mike Murphy and Dark Terrors)
The US. version of the Lucy staking scene originally showed the stake entering her chest and blood flowing from the wound.
The subsequent shots were close ups of her writhing in the coffin.
All of these were removed from the British print at the time.
The Japanese version is 8 seconds longer than the US.Some of this is the infamous disintegration scene but rumours abound that it could have contained blood rushing towards the camera in the "Lucy scene" but this is unconfirmed.
In 1997 Warner video released the original US version in Britain which is regarded as the most complete version on video.
The US and Japanese video shows the stake entering Lucy but without blood and no close ups of her writhing in her coffin.

As far as I know that's all there is to it . As I said , the source material that was available to TV companies determined what version you saw. I hope the DVD release will be the definitive presentation of one of the best horror films EVER.