El Conde Dracula ( Count Dracula )

**Matt Gemmell** · 6th February 2007, 12:24 AM

Dark Sky films have released an excellent DVD of the above Jess Franco production.Whilst not one of my favourite versions of Stokers tale it is presented in pristine condition with good quality extras such as a Franco interview and an audio recording of Christopher Lee reading from the novel.
As I said it's not my favourite rendition of the dark Count but it does have many redeeming qualities such as affording Christopher Lee the chance to play Dracula as written,grey whiskers and all.If you haven't seen it it's well worth a purchase in such a tempting package.

**Joakim Lundberg** · 6th February 2007, 02:29 AM

This is the edition. Avalible at www.playusa.com free shipping.
Worth having.

**David McConkey** · 6th February 2007, 12:57 PM

I first seen this film in the mid 70s in school on a 16mm print and that was it. The film never appeared on TV, a least where I lived and I didn't see it again until 2005 when I managed to get a video of it but I never forgot it.
I have a soft spot for this movie and while it compares badly to Hammer's 1958 version and tends to drag a little, it did try to give Christopher Lee a little more to do than he had been doing in some of the later Hammer's. A bit closer to book,yes, but I did prefer Terence Fisher's slow tracking and panning to Franco's constant zooming. So will I be getting this on DVD?
ABSOLUTLEY, heck I already have the original Spanish poster for it.

**Matt Gemmell** · 9th March 2007, 04:47 PM

Having just watched a very interesting documentary about Bram Stoker on Sky Arts the other day I decided to give Francos version another try.
Although I have the DVD I hadn't plucked up the courage to watch it again.
The one and only time I saw it was about 10 years ago on a dodgy old VHS and I though it was rubbish.
Still, fired up from the documentary and wanting to view it in all it's remastered glory I slipped the DVD into the machine and sat back.Had my views changed ?
Well yes and no.The best way to sum up my feelings on watching it again was what I kept thinking ........... " What a wasted opportunity "
As you would expect, the best thing about it is Christopher Lee.He looks the part and obviously relished the chance to "sink his teeth" into the role if you'll pardon the pun. I enjoyed Klaus Kinskis mute Renfield and thought the location sets were not bad at all. Herbert Lom wasn't his best but he was still value for money and the supporting cast were adequate if nothing more. The fault has to be with Franco. I've said before that I think he's one of the worst directors out there and I still believe that.He reminds me of a modern day Ed Wood. Keen as mustard but not up to it.
His overuse of the zoom lense, the terrible day for night shooting and the snail like pace of the piece harm this version to a truly staggering degree.
Having said that , I kept watching because in the middle of this effort strode Christopher Lee with a marvelous performance.It's just a shame the rest of the film didn't come close to matching his standard.

9th March 2007, 09:57 PM

I have the film I just purchased the dvd I had never seen it before and thought it was much better than the Coppola film, which I found a bit over the top. Mr Lee is absolutely the best at anything he does. kaity

**David Clayton** · 9th March 2007, 11:47 PM

Just recently renting the DVD (and soon to buy it I might add), and reading Bram Stoker's novel as well, I must say that "El Conde Dracula" is THE closest adaption to the book I have ever seen apart from 1958's "Dracula" (Horror Of Dracula as it is known in the U.S.). One particular scene that really sticks to the book is the meeting of Jonathan Harker and Count Dracula. For years, most Dracula adaptions have used this scene although most have not stuck to the original writing. But El Conde Dracula had managed to keep all of the original text and Christopher Lee was as brilliant as ever. Yes, Jess Franco isn't quite the director... or writer... or well... never mind. But he certaintly did well with this film and being a Bram Stoker fan, I'm actually pretty impressed with Franco. Just because Jess Franco may have directed it doesn't mean it's a bad film. In fact, he does have his good movies believe it or not! No film is perfect to be honest. Anyway, I'm just saying to give the film a chance. It's really wonderful! I can't wait to purchase my copy on DVD! Well, take care everyone and God bless!

Warmest regards,
David Clayton a.k.a. Kevin.

**Charles Prepolec** · 10th March 2007, 03:10 AM

Quote:

His overuse of the zoom lense...

As far as I'm concerned, the above comment is something of a kind understatement. I find Franco's misuse of the zoom in this film to be downright physically nauseating. As much as I've tried to like this film over the years, beyond the appearance of Mr. Lee, I just can't warm to any part of it. Of the films where Mr. Lee has worked with Jess Franco my favorite (if I can be said to have such a thing considering my dislike of Franco's work) is likely The Bloody Judge. That being said, as a Christopher Lee fan, I'll probably still end up buying a copy of this new El Conde Drácula DVD. The things one does as a fan...

Cheers!

**David Clayton** · 10th March 2007, 05:38 PM

[quote=Charles Prepolec;35566] ...as a Christopher Lee fan, I'll probably still end up buying a copy of this new El Conde Drácula DVD. The things one does as a fan...

Don't worry Charles, I can relate to your situation 100%. "The Bloody Judge" is one of my few favorite Jess Franco films although the zooms do tend to get a bit annoying... unless it's a close up of Mr. Lee

! Ha ha ha...

**Domenick Fraumeni** · 13th March 2007, 06:35 PM

While otherwise an excellent release, this version is missing a rather important shot of a gypsy woman begging at the Count's door to return her missing baby, this sets up a scene a few minutes later when Dracula offers the baby to the brides.

A film that starts out excellent and then falls apart later, it's still very much worth watching particularly for Mr. Lee's fans, as not only does it show him playing the Count as Stoker wrote it, but there is also a very enjoyable extra that shows Mr. Lee reading passages from Stoker's book, accompanied by photos.

There's a very informative thread on this by both general fans and Franco experts. It looks as if Dark Sky's transfer comes from the Italian version, with English audio added to it.

http://p210.ezboard.com/fthelatarnia...icID=666.topic

**Joakim Lundberg** · 14th March 2007, 12:18 AM

Hi Domenick. Great to see you around here.

**Amber Klinge** · 3rd April 2007, 04:22 PM

Will this come to the U.S. or stay on the website?

4th April 2007, 03:10 AM

Hi Amber if you are talking about getting the dvd, I got mine through Amazon search Mr. Lee's films and you will find It. I live in Georgia, which last time I checked is in the U.S so you can get it hope this helped Kaity