Home Theater Forum  ›  Forums  ›  Entertainment and Media  ›  SD DVD - Film and Documentary  ›  Dracula 75th-Should I buy?
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread

Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

#1
Rating: 0
3/19/07 at 7:58pm
  • Joined: April 2000
  • Post Count: 2,650
I'm so confused by all of the reviews of this title on Amazon. Some say it is the best version yet, and others say that it has been brightened to the point of destroying the mood. There are also comments on the cropping...some say it is excessive and others say it is more centered. Can some of you who own this comment...I love the Universal monsters and I want to own the best version. I know that this film will never look perfect (and maybe it shouldn't..kinda adds to the atmosphere and charm.) Thanks.
Export to Wiki
#2
Rating: 0
3/20/07 at 2:20am
  • Joined: January 2006
  • Post Count: 14

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Well it depends what You want. Dracula - The Legacy Collection (2004) contains all dracula movies, but some documentaries from 75th Edition are not present.
75th Edition has some brighter and sharper picture and extra documentary material, and one additional commentary track.

If You want all movies go for Legacy (2004), if You want more documentary stuff go with 75th Edition.
Export to Wiki
#3
Rating: 0
3/20/07 at 6:20am
  • Joined: December 2001
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario
  • Post Count: 2,458

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

I believe that the Legacy collection version is on those double-sided discs that Universal has had problems with in the past. (Never bought that set so feel free to correct me) That should be another thing to consider as well. If you buy that version, you'd best check the discs for freeze-ups before the return date window closes.
Recently watched- BSG: Razor[BD], BSG: Season 3, Ghost Rider[BD], X-Men Origins: Wolverine[BD], BSG: Season 2[BD], Forever Knight: Season 3

Currently watching- Heroes: Season 1[BD], Michael Palin: Pole To Pole, Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series[BD], Magnum P.I.: Season 7
Export to Wiki
#4
Rating: 0
3/20/07 at 7:47am
  • Joined: April 2004
  • Post Count: 389

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Export to Wiki
#5
Rating: 0
3/20/07 at 8:35am
  • Joined: September 2003
  • Post Count: 861

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

The old version is also missing the music at the end of the theater scene, after Drac says "There are far worse things...awaiting man...than death." The Legacy version restores this music, as does the 75th. So, if you want the absolutely completely complete soundtrack, you gotta go for the 75th.
Export to Wiki
#6
Rating: 0
3/20/07 at 8:41am
  • Joined: August 2005
  • Post Count: 361

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joseph J.D
I believe that the Legacy collection version is on those double-sided discs that Universal has had problems with in the past. (Never bought that set so feel free to correct me) That should be another thing to consider as well. If you buy that version, you'd best check the discs for freeze-ups before the return date window closes.

You are correct, the Dracula Legacy Collection is on DVD-18 type discs (double sided, with two layers on each side).

It's a great value set, and the only way to get all the movies ("House of Dracula" was previously not released, although "House of Frankenstein" was - you'd have thought they'd be paired with each other but there ya go) BUT you do need to check you don't have problems with playing them. Don't leave it til after the 30 day returns window is over.

AFAIk all the Legacy Collections are on that type of disc, excluding the Creature set.

They're amazing value for the films you get, shame about those crummy DVD-18's though.
Export to Wiki
#7
Rating: 0
3/20/07 at 8:50am
  • Joined: January 2004
  • Post Count: 58

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

I have it and am generally pleased with it. (I also have the original dvd release from way back, but not the Legacy collection.) The clincher for me was the complete soundtrack. The detriments that others have complained about (soundtrack hiss, picture supposedly too bright, framing issues, etc.) don't bother me, but maybe I am less discerning than other folks.

The one thing that kinda bothers me about it is that the only English subs for the Spanish version are for the hearing impaired, so there's unnecessary (for me, as I hear just fine) descriptions of the sound effects.

Oh, and something about Steve Haberman in the new Lugosi documentary kinda creeps me out ...haven't sampled his commentary yet.
Export to Wiki
#8
Rating: 0
3/20/07 at 9:40am
  • Joined: April 2000
  • Post Count: 2,650

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Thanks guys for all of your help. I think I will go with the 75th after all!
Export to Wiki
#9
Rating: 0
3/20/07 at 12:21pm
  • Joined: November 2003
  • Post Count: 199

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

The 75th version is definitely the best for Dracula. I think the picture looks amazing compared to what we've had in the past. As far as the audio, the hiss is pretty bad, but I've found playing around with the audio output on my DVD player a little bit helps.

As far as the Legacy version goes, yes Universal has had numerous problems with their DVD-18's in the past. I've found, however, that if you just let the disc sit on your shelf for a month or two, it will eventually play fine. I went through three copies of the Lugosi collection that all tripped up on some point. Finally I gave up returning it and just let the third copy sit on my shelf, figuring I'd get around to e-mailing Universal and asking for an exchange through them. After a couple of months I took a look at it out of curiosity and it played fine. Same thing happened with one of my discs in the second season of Murder, She Wrote as well as one of the discs in the Hammer collection.
Export to Wiki
#10
Rating: 0
3/20/07 at 1:27pm
  • Joined: November 2003
  • Post Count: 5,443

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

While the video quality was improved, I didn't think the 75th Anniversary release was so much better. I had all three -- the original single, the Legacy Set, and the 75th. What really annoyed me with the 75th edition was the overly noisy soundtrack hiss which was distracting for me, so I actually sold off this DVD.

I did a comparison for myself (it's all a matter of opinion) and I have found I prefer actually watching/listening to the original '90s single DVD of DRACULA even though the music cue is missing. While it is missing the music in that one moment, it does contain Renfield's screams as he's being killed (NOT on the Legacy Set).
Export to Wiki
#11
Rating: 0
6/1/08 at 11:27am
  • Joined: July 2005
  • Location: France (57)
  • Post Count: 166

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Is the music missing from the '99 DVD huge or is it just a few notes at the end of the cue?

I am deeply bothered by the missing screams of Reinfield and Dracula listed for the '04 Legacy.

So I don't know what to buy. The 50th Anniversary seems a shame due to its technical faults.

I am all the more interested by Dracula (and the Spanish version), Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein. I wonder what is better: buying the three individual DVDs or the Legacy sets? I don't know if the sequels are worth it: I read one time in a French review that each sequel of each franchise is a masterpiece in itself, but I more often read that they are quite bad.

May I have some advice, please? Thanks!
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.
Export to Wiki
#12
Rating: 0
6/1/08 at 2:40pm
  • Joined: March 2007
  • Post Count: 273

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

For what its worth, the 2002 UK DVD of Dracula has the original transfer but intact audio. BUT the Spanish version was missing entirely

When the Spanish version turned up in the UK Monster Legacy Set, sharing a disc with Dracula's Daughter, its subtitles were HOH only
Export to Wiki
#13
Rating: 0
6/2/08 at 12:47am
  • Joined: July 2005
  • Location: France (57)
  • Post Count: 166

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by James 'Tiger' Lee
For what its worth, the 2002 UK DVD of Dracula has the original transfer but intact audio. BUT the Spanish version was missing entirely

When the Spanish version turned up in the UK Monster Legacy Set, sharing a disc with Dracula's Daughter, its subtitles were HOH only
Thanks for the answer.
The UK sets look nice, and the Legacy one seems to include some movies of other franchises too, like Invisible man and Mummy.
Is it the case for the US set?
Do you know if the screams are also missing from the UK Legacy editions?
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.
Export to Wiki
#14
Rating: 0
6/2/08 at 3:49am
  • Joined: March 2007
  • Post Count: 273

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabien Renelli
Thanks for the answer.
The UK sets look nice, and the Legacy one seems to include some movies of other franchises too, like Invisible man and Mummy.
Is it the case for the US set?
Do you know if the screams are also missing from the UK Legacy editions?

The advantages the UK set has over the US is that the discs are on DVD-9s rather than the faulty DVD-18s. Dracula is not missing the screams, However it is a lot more pricey than the US set and the only extra films you get are The Mummy, Invisible Man, Phantom of the Opera (1943) and Creature From The Black Lagoon.

However, Universal UK has just released some of them on their own so there's now a cheap way for everyone to pick up House of Dracula, which was absent from the original US lineup
Export to Wiki
#15
Rating: 0
6/2/08 at 4:14am
  • Joined: July 2005
  • Location: France (57)
  • Post Count: 166

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by James 'Tiger' Lee
The advantages the UK set has over the US is that the discs are on DVD-9s rather than the faulty DVD-18s. Dracula is not missing the screams, However it is a lot more pricey than the US set and the only extra films you get are The Mummy, Invisible Man, Phantom of the Opera (1943) and Creature From The Black Lagoon.

However, Universal UK has just released some of them on their own so there's now a cheap way for everyone to pick up House of Dracula, which was absent from the original US lineup
And are the sequels any good to justify the buying of the whole set?
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.
Export to Wiki
#16
Rating: 0
6/2/08 at 4:51am
  • Joined: March 2007
  • Post Count: 273

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabien Renelli
And are the sequels any good to justify the buying of the whole set?

I'd say yes. Even the worst is terrific fun!
Export to Wiki
#17
Rating: 0
6/2/08 at 6:20am
  • Joined: August 2002
  • Post Count: 705

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabien Renelli
And are the sequels any good to justify the buying of the whole set?
I think Dracula's Daughter is good, and Son of Dracula is terrific. Re: the latter, I'm glad no one let on to Robert Siodmak that he was just making a B-movie "spooker", 'cause he infuses it with some of the best visuals and themes of any of the Universal horror canon. Well acted, too. It's very much worth your time.

House of Drac is pretty bad, on the other hand...

I just picked up a sealed 75th Anniv. edition on eBay for $13.99, shipped - a pretty good deal. Looking forward to checking it out. Though it garnered some controversy on DVD Beaver, the screen caps they posted look quite a bit better to my eyes than the Legacy Collection ones.

Has anybody gotten the 75th Anniv. Frankenstein? I've never heard anything re: that.

"I just pre-ordered I DRINK YOUR BLOOD, even though I have no job."

Export to Wiki
#18
Rating: 0
6/2/08 at 10:19am
  • Joined: July 2005
  • Location: France (57)
  • Post Count: 166

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Thanks. And how good are the sequels to the Frankenstein and Wolf-man sets?
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.
Export to Wiki
#19
Rating: 0
6/2/08 at 12:46pm
  • Joined: August 2001
  • Post Count: 2,535

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Thanks. And how good are the sequels to the Frankenstein and Wolf-man sets?


I've never watched any of the other wolfman movies, but for my money "Son of Frankenstein" is the best of all the Frankie movies and is heavily referenced in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein"
"Shoot a few scenes out of focus. I want to win the foreign film award."
Billy Wilder

"This business has come a long way in the last 30 years, but why should I depress you"
I.A.L. Diamond on the Movie Business (1986)
Export to Wiki
#20
Rating: 0
6/2/08 at 3:43pm
  • Joined: March 2007
  • Post Count: 273

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabien Renelli
Thanks. And how good are the sequels to the Frankenstein and Wolf-man sets?

Frankenstein and Wolf Man official sequels are all worth it, especially as they tie in with the Dracula series (well, sort of!)

The Wolf Man set also includes two other werewolf movies: Werewolf Of London (1935) with Henry Hull, which is interesting and has an effective and creepy makeup, and She Wolf Of London (1946), which is utter tosh!
Export to Wiki
#21
Rating: 0
6/3/08 at 7:13am
  • Joined: July 2005
  • Location: France (57)
  • Post Count: 166

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Thanks a lot guys, I think I'll try the Legacy sets so. Now I just have to make up my mind: R1 (but screams are missing on Dracula) or R2 (no French subtitles)???
I wonder...
Is there a website which sells the UK Monster Pack for less than £75.00- (more or less €100.00- or $130.00-)?
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.
Export to Wiki
#22
Rating: 0
6/3/08 at 11:35am
  • Joined: March 2007
  • Post Count: 273

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabien Renelli
Thanks a lot guys, I think I'll try the Legacy sets so. Now I just have to make up my mind: R1 (but screams are missing on Dracula) or R2 (no French subtitles)???
I wonder...
Is there a website which sells the UK Monster Pack for less than £75.00- (more or less €100.00- or $130.00-)?

Keep your eyes on Amazon,uk Marketplace. I picked up the full set for £30
Export to Wiki
#23
Rating: 0
6/4/08 at 12:19am
  • Joined: July 2005
  • Location: France (57)
  • Post Count: 166

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by James 'Tiger' Lee
Keep your eyes on Amazon,uk Marketplace. I picked up the full set for £30
Great! So, there are English subtitles on all the 13 movies? And on extras?
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.
Export to Wiki
#24
Rating: 0
6/4/08 at 3:06am
  • Joined: June 2004
  • Post Count: 1,230

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Buy It Now.
Buy the 75th Anniversary Edition and the Legacy Collections.
There isn't a bad film in the series.
All the films are good, and some are brilliant.
Worth every penny, and then some.
Buy them all right now.
http://www.3dfilmpf.org/
"... little by little the look of the country changes because of the people we admire."
dialog in HUD (1963)
Export to Wiki
#25
Rating: 0
6/4/08 at 4:18am
  • Joined: July 2005
  • Location: France (57)
  • Post Count: 166

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

I won't buy both!
I really like the original covers of the 1999 editions.
Is the transfer of the "Bride" 99 DVD so bad compared to the Legacy set?
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.
Export to Wiki
#26
Rating: 0
6/4/08 at 7:40am
  • Joined: August 2002
  • Post Count: 705

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabien Renelli
I really like the original covers of the 1999 editions.
Is the transfer of the "Bride" 99 DVD so bad compared to the Legacy set?
Yeah, it's really terrible. Grain out the wa-zoo (not reasonable grain), and badly framed to boot.

The two single movie editions to avoid are Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man. Both's Legacy transfers are much improved.

"I just pre-ordered I DRINK YOUR BLOOD, even though I have no job."

Export to Wiki
#27
Rating: 0
6/4/08 at 4:18pm
  • Joined: September 2003
  • Post Count: 4,665

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

I've said it before and I'll say it again... Universal should forget about these Anniversary Editions and release an enormous Ford At Fox style package of ALL of the 1930/40s franchise films including the newest up-to-date transfers and every last supplement produced for all previous editions along with commentaries, trailers and then some! Throw in a nice hardbound book with production stills and detailed information, original poster art for the covers and it would be THE DVD of the year! Guaranteed top-seller! Subsequently, they could break the set down into more affordable economic releases of the monster films for the more cost conscious consumers. This would be the best way to release ALL of Universal's remaining library of 30s horror films and do so in the most efficient way for both film fans and the company regarding a$$ured revenue!

The older Legacy sets have been bested in regards to the available transfers and better source prints which have since turned up. They are also problematic in certain cases in regards to the soundtracks and the fact that they've been pressed onto Universal's faulty DVD-18s. Plus the packaging was horrible!

I own all available versions now (though I sold off the initial keep case discs from years back -- wish I had held onto them for the covers!) but I really think Universal needs to put more effort into a big scale promotional campaign for their classic monster films. They are really the properties that define the studio in it's golden age after all!
Export to Wiki
#28
Rating: 0
6/4/08 at 4:29pm
  • Joined: March 2007
  • Post Count: 273

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcoBiscotti
I've said it before and I'll say it again... Universal should forget about these Anniversary Editions and release an enormous Ford At Fox style package of ALL of the 1930/40s franchise films including the newest up-to-date transfers and every last supplement produced for all previous editions along with commentaries, trailers and then some! Throw in a nice hardbound book with production stills and detailed information, original poster art for the covers and it would be THE DVD of the year! Guaranteed top-seller! Subsequently, they could break the set down into more affordable economic releases of the monster films for the more cost conscious consumers. This would be the best way to release ALL of Universal's remaining library of 30s horror films and do so in the most efficient way for both film fans and the company regarding a$$ured revenue!

The older Legacy sets have been bested in regards to the available transfers and better source prints which have since turned up. They are also problematic in certain cases in regards to the soundtracks and the fact that they've been pressed onto Universal's faulty DVD-18s. Plus the packaging was horrible!

I own all available versions now (though I sold off the initial keep case discs from years back -- wish I had held onto them for the covers!) but I really think Universal needs to put more effort into a big scale promotional campaign for their classic monster films. They are really the properties that define the studio in it's golden age after all!

I'd like it if Universal re-released their Bela Lugosi, Hammer and Invisible Man sets in DVD-9 form - perhaps even one big set!
Export to Wiki
#29
Rating: 0
6/5/08 at 12:35am
  • Joined: July 2005
  • Location: France (57)
  • Post Count: 166

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Peavy
Yeah, it's really terrible. Grain out the wa-zoo (not reasonable grain), and badly framed to boot.

The two single movie editions to avoid are Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man. Both's Legacy transfers are much improved.
Argh, too bad.
So, to know well, what is the best edition to buy, whatever the region, for the Dracula, Frankenstein and Wolf-man series (with correct picture and intact audio)?
I am really beginning to worry about what is the only good choice!
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.
Export to Wiki
#30
Rating: 0
6/5/08 at 3:11am
  • Joined: November 2003
  • Post Count: 5,443

Re: Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

For your purposes, I'd say the best thing to do is just to pick up the three Legacy Sets - FRANKENSTEIN, DRACULA, THE WOLF MAN.
Export to Wiki
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread