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Hammer's DRACULA Restored! - Page 2

post #31 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Thanks for the update John

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post #32 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Thing is, the US DVD was uncut, at least compared to the British version. What I'd like to know is if the Japanese footage was located
post #33 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

They showed a few clips from the new Warner/BFI edition of Dracula on Film 2007, here in the UK, tonight.

The framing looks spot on.

2002 Warner DVD:


2007 Warner/BFI transfer:


2002 Warner DVD:


2007 Warner/BFI transfer:


2002 Warner DVD:


2007 Warner/BFI transfer:
post #34 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Wow, that's a huge improvement. I'm glad I never bought the first DVD release.
post #35 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

I'm just a little miffed that I did buy the first edition, but unloaded it in anticipation of a new S.E. this year. Fangs, Warner

I am, however, off to see the new restoration in a big screen digital presentation tonight...
post #36 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

I actually bought the previous edition twice since I bought it on its own and then as part of the Warner Hammer Box Set. I can't say that I regret either purchase since I enjoyed them a lot. It is tolerable providing you are watching on a display with absolutely zero overscan. I look forward to a better framed upgrade, though.

Regards,
post #37 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Framing is alot better but I wonder why the color looks washed out on the new transfer compared to the old one. The framing on the old one did not bother me as it did not look as extreme as the photos on my set. If the new color looks like this I will stick with the old one.
post #38 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

The colours look much stronger on the BFI's trailer, Randy.



http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/releas...a/trailer.html
post #39 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

I somehow missed this! Sounds great, whens the DVD out?
post #40 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell G
I somehow missed this! Sounds great, whens the DVD out?

If only we knew...
post #41 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Sometime next year, I should think. Fiftieth anniversary, and all that...
post #42 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Have no fear; having now seen the restored digital presentation of Dracula myself, I think we're all going to be very happy when the new DVD is finally released.
post #43 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

That's good to hear.

Was the Universal-International logo included, John?
post #44 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Yes it was James, and the proper 'illuminated' 'Dracula' titles.
post #45 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Brilliant! Thanks, John!
post #46 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson
Have no fear; having now seen the restored digital presentation of Dracula myself, I think we're all going to be very happy when the new DVD is finally released.
Did you notice any footage, however brief, that you hasn't seen before?
post #47 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

No, I didn't Richard.
post #48 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

John did you see it in the BFI Champion members only screening in London or on it's release around the country? The Invitation Only screening at the NFT had a great presentation (if screwed up by the technical crew) about what was found and what was still missing.
post #49 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

No Ollie I saw it on general release; did you read this piece about the BFI and 'Dracula'? Scroll down to 'Dracula - The True Story'.
post #50 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

You may find this news package somewhat interesting, as it contains an interview with Jimmy Sangster:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/248...php?cl=4809587
post #51 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

This will look so nice on HD DVD/Blu-ray.
post #52 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

I sent this article written in 1958, from the old British film newspaper 'Picture Show', to the IMDB about a year ago:

"Even Dracula Was Shocked"
How horrific can horror films get? Because if you think that the British version of "Dracula" is a shocker, then spare a thought for the picturgoers of Japan who will see the OTHER version.

This is the one in which the special effects men have run amok and literally stopped at NOTHING.

Now Japanese picturegoers face no censor restrictions, but even they will have to be extra tough to stand the sight of.......

a) Dracula clawing at his face and tearing away about four inches of make-up which represents a hideous concoction of skin and bone.

b) Blood gushing from Dracula's victims straight into the camera lens.

c) Close-up shots of stakes hammered into humans.

It was so terrifying a sight, in fact, that it shocked Dracula himself (Christopher Lee). Says he: "It's really a bit much. It wouldn't have stood a chance with our Censor."

Horror specialist Anthony Hinds, who produced "The Curse of Frankenstein" and "The Camp on Blood Island", explains "It's all a matter of taste".
"We didn't intend to pull any punches and we made a special version of "Dracula" for Japan, because we know they love that sort of thing there".

The censor may have spared us this affliction, but even the British version has fallen under the hammer of most critics who have had things like this to say: "This is a distasteful piece of work" and "it's repulsive nonsense".
post #53 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Interesting and intriguing comment from DVD Savant: "Muir Hewitt has tipped me off to a new UK disc of Dracula (Horror of Dracula) coming soon..."
post #54 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

sounds great to me John
post #55 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

IMDB says that there are still photos of some of the deleted scenes. Are there any sites that show some of the photos?
post #56 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

The Warner Hammer's have been deleted in the UK for over a year now. The "Dracula" DVD should have been 1:66 & not 1:85, but that apart, I thought it looked great.
post #57 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billy Batson
The Warner Hammer's have been deleted in the UK for over a year now. The "Dracula" DVD should have been 1:66 & not 1:85, but that apart, I thought it looked great.

Aside from the AR, it was badly framed; when the digital transfer that was shown theatrically across the UK makes it to disc, everyone is going to be very happy indeed (particularly, as screened, if the Universal logo is used at the start and that beautifully 'illuminated' 'Dracula' title).
post #58 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Hope it gets an R1 if it comes out.
post #59 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

I'd kill for a Blu-ray version.
post #60 of 98

Re: Hammer's DRACULA Restored!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_K
I'd kill for a Blu-ray version.

So would I.
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