Dracula 75th-Should I buy?

ScottR · 03-19-2007, 09:58 PM

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.

Almir · 03-20-2007, 04:20 AM

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.

Joseph J.D · 03-20-2007, 08:20 AM

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.

Kramer Lowry · 03-20-2007, 09:47 AM

Jeffrey Nelson · 03-20-2007, 10:35 AM

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.

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Richard_Gregory · 03-20-2007, 10:41 AM

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.

Joel Stein · 03-20-2007, 10:50 AM

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.

ScottR · 03-20-2007, 11:40 AM

Thanks guys for all of your help. I think I will go with the 75th after all!

Matt Stieg · 03-20-2007, 02:21 PM

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.

Joe Karlosi · 03-20-2007, 03:27 PM

While the video quality was improved, I didn't think the 75th Anniversary release was so much better. I had all three -- the original