El Horror de Dracula

[Alfonso Casal]

This afternoon El Horror de Dracula starring Pedro Cushing and Cristobal Lee was televised on the US-based Spanish language Televisa network as part of their Cine de Oro (Golden Cinema) series. Unfortunately, I only learned of this broadcast when I heard my mother yelling "Corre! Christopher Lee por la television!" ("Hurry! Christopher Lee is on TV!"). Had I known sooner I would have posted a notice.

I imagine the version shown would the one that was originally screened in Spain and Latin America in 1958. It was interesting to note that the actors were dubbed in what, I suppose, could be called a Spanish language equivalent to 'mid-Atlantic' English. That is to say, a sort of neutral-accented Spanish that avoided the distinctive characterstics of the national tongue spoken in Spain and the various Latin American Dialects.

All the scenes in the film appeared to be intact and identical to the Anglo-American version. The single noteworthy exception is the scene where the Count surprises Harker in the catacombs. In the familiar English language version, the Count steps into view and, while Harker huddles in fear, silently closes the door behind him. The scene then fades to black. The Spanish version has the Count utter the single word "Harker!" before the scene fades out.

So, no great revelations or new insights. But still, it was fun to see an old favorite in a new light.

[Covadonga Mendoza]

Excellent film, in English, in Spanish, in Esperanto, jejeje (sorry, I mean "he, he,he" without Asturian accent...)
Cristobal Lee, noooooo!!! 'Cristóbal Sotavento' jejejeje (non-human translators says...)