Hub - Issue 31
Page 3
This new 2-disc Collector’s Edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula has been a long time coming (originally rumoured for a release as far back as 1999) and many of us have had to make do with a rather lacklustre, extras-lite 1-disc version for the past 10 years. Much speculation, confusion and controversy has arisen amongst Dracula fansites and DVD forums in the run up to this DVD release; quibbles over the cover artwork, the lack of a definitive Director’s Cut of the film (rumour is that there were over two dozen different cuts of the film before it’s original release) and much bewilderment over what will be included on the additional disc. Many British DVD sites stated that, in addition to the extras available on the region 1 version, the region 2 release would include a Dracula radio play, screen tests and production notes. Annoyingly these have failed to materialise and both the region 1 and 2 releases are identical. All frustrations aside this new 2-disc edition boasts a rather satisfying and thorough extras package. There is an option to ‘Watch Bram Stoker’s Dracula with Francis Ford Coppola’, which consists of a brief introduction from the director followed by an informative and wonderfully entertaining feature length commentary, while over on Disc 2 four brand new documentaries which can be viewed as one continuous 69 minute feature covers every aspect of the production from visualisation, costume and script including interviews with all the cast and crew of the film. 26 minutes of deleted and extended scenes are presented in various stages of completion, some using animated storyboards where shots or scenes are missing, and are a tantalising glimpse into what the movie could have been if Coppola had worked on a Definitive Cut as he originally promised. Last, and by every means least, the entire package is completed by the obligatory Theatrical Trailers and (yawn) endless photo galleries.
It’s the age-old story of ‘Collector’s Edition’ tag being erroneously used once more. Yes, the extras are good but you can’t help thinking that some of those fans out there on the interweb were right. After 15 years a brand spanking new Director’s Cut of the film would have been just the thing to inject new life into an increasingly dated film… and I can’t help thinking how fantastic it would have been if that Radio Play had been included on the region 2 version as originally promised. Still for only £15.99 you can’t really go wrong, I suppose. Definitely worth a look if you’ve got a bit of spare cash in your pocket and nothing new to watch in your DVD collection!
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