BFI Dracula.

[keirarts]

Some time ago the BFI released a fully uncut print of hammers dracula (horror of dracula) theatrically.

Anyone know if this is ever coming to dvd (or possibly blu-ray.)? I have renewed hope now we're finally getting the devils on dvd.

[bdc]

Seems "considered lost" footage of The Horror of Dracula was found in Japan and I think they're currently restoring it for a new release (don't know if it's by the BFI though).

Warner Archives also commented on this btw:

"There have been plans for some time to revisit the key Hammer titles for Blu-ray, especially DRACULA. It is likely our archivists will be investigating the issue of extended scenes for that purpose."

Dracula Resurrected! - Hammer

[platostotal]

Interesting to see if it's the bloodier exported to Japan versions that get released on Blu(don't know if DRACULA was one that had extra footage shot for Japan) or just what was shot for each Hammer destined for Japan.

[Wes]

I'll digress for a sec just to say I re-read the novel a few weeks ago and it was funny because it reminded me of the big faultline running through the likes of Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield and Diary of the Dead. If you're not familiar with the book, the story is told throughout as diary and journel entries, but it seems ridicolous that after a hard day's vampire hunting and slaying, the characters in the novel would write about it in the diaries, a la the people constantly filming in Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield and Diary of the Dead...

[Rik]

Originally Posted by Wes

I'll digress for a sec just to say I re-read the novel a few weeks ago and it was funny because it reminded me of the big faultline running through the likes of Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield and Diary of the Dead. If you're not familiar with the book, the story is told throughout as diary and journel entries, but it seems ridicolous that after a hard day's vampire hunting and slaying, the characters in the novel would write about it in the diaries, a la the people constantly filming in Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield and Diary of the Dead...

That was my original thought when I first read it in the early 90's, obviously not the comparison with Blair Witch etc

[Wes]

Good stuff Rik, the book is a bit of a sacred cow and while it deserves it's place I think Hammer's film is better - Jimmy Sangster's adaptation is excellent - the studio had to really scale back the book for budget reasons but the film still looks like a epic - that eerie dolly shot around the tomb, an incredible opening... I havn't seen the BFI restoration but reading about it over at the Classic Horror Film board, a lot of folks over there were not impressed, that is was no great shakes overall...

[platostotal]

the best read is THE ANNOTATED DRACULA, full of notes and photos and drawings of the locations and historical references to Stoker's novel, it had a beautiful contemporary sketch of the final showdown. It's a big hardback that most likely OOP but a far more involving read, had mine in 75, so don't hold your breath.

[Daemonia]

The BFI really did want to put this out in HD, but kept drawing a blank with Warners, who own the film. Hence, it never happened.

[Rik]

Originally Posted by platostotal

the best read is THE ANNOTATED DRACULA, full of notes and photos and drawings of the locations and historical references to Stoker's novel, it had a beautiful contemporary sketch of the final showdown. It's a big hardback that most likely OOP but a far more involving read, had mine in 75, so don't hold your breath.

I have that and the Annotated Frankenstein, borrowed them from my school library back in 1995 then quit my A levels and 'forgot' to return them, oops




"They all float down here, they allll floaaaattt!!!"

[keirarts]

Originally Posted by Wes

Good stuff Rik, the book is a bit of a sacred cow and while it deserves it's place I think Hammer's film is better - Jimmy Sangster's adaptation is excellent - the studio had to really scale back the book for budget reasons but the film still looks like a epic - that eerie dolly shot around the tomb, an incredible opening... I havn't seen the BFI restoration but reading about it over at the Classic Horror Film board, a lot of folks over there were not impressed, that is was no great shakes overall...

From my understanding, the bfi restoration restored all the footage origionally cut by the uk censors (so it sounds like the japanese releases) So if warners are looking at releasing it uncut on blu-ray then i'm sold.