Bram Stokers Dracula film review

Bram Stokers Dracula released 29th January 1993 tells a Gothic horror tale based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. The historical fiction directed by Francis Ford Coppola takes us through an emotionally twisted love story of the well-known bloodthirsty Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) on his path to have eternal life avenging his late wife, Elisabeta whom he lost through the lies of men. As well as his search to find her soul in Mina Harker (Winoner Ryder.) But his search for his heroine lady is not straight forward as Dracula comes face to face with obsessed vampire hunter Van Helsing played by iconic Anthony Hopkins. Dracula's bloodlust destroys and possesses many unfortunate women on his journey through London for souls to fuel his love. But to me, this story is not just about the blood-sucking creature of the night, but a tale of deep suffering and sorrow. Dracula and Elisabeta's love was eternal and time could not diminish his love and pain felt for this woman that he adored as they reunited through tragedy 400 years later. A personal critic about this movie would be the overcrowded storyline and fast pace although it does help to remind the audience of the chaos and drama.

The absinthe scene. The 43-second scene starts with a close-up shot of Mina's eye which fades into the bottom of the glass as the two images line up creating a mesmerising symmetry. "Absinthe is the aphrodisiac of the sin" is the chilling opening line to the scene said by Dracula. This creates an overall sensual and romantic ambiance through the symbolism of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty which juxtaposes with the danger that was brought with the strong spirit in the 19th century. The background music is extremely haunting and fairytale-like, almost as if a music box is playing which adds to the spellbound and enchanting feel. Alongside this can be heard and seen the trickling and dripping echo of the absinthe being poured. The pouring of the absinthe enlarges the word "sin" which covers the entire shot in the background from the bottle, emphasising the psychoactive and hallucinogenic nature of the spirit being ungodly. "The green fairy that lives in the absinthe wants your soul" is an extremely chilling line as the green fairy was commonly known as a hypnotizing creature that possesses one while consuming the drink. Mina looks at Dracula and seductively sucks on a sugar cube while seeming hypnotised which made me question if she is under one of his spells or if she is truly madly in love with him. To finalise the scene Count Dracula states "But... you are safe with me" which is said in a very devious tone. His almost convincingly warm voice contrasts with the eerie mocking laughs in the background of women which reminds the audience not to fall for his charm. The shots all fade into each other, mimicking the feeling of being intoxicated and dazed like a dream. Mina is silent through the entire scene highlighting his dominion and omnipotence leading the focus to Dracula.

Lucys beheading scene. The combination of the subtle but disturbing music as she's slowly walks down the stairs at eye level with the child crying is extremely ungodly, especially as the child is crying out of fear from the horrific pale makeup. I like to think that Lucy is singing a lullaby trying to sooth to the child, this really helps to add to the uncomfortable feeling to the scene. Sadie Frost was filmed in reverse with her walking backwards up the stairs to create a demonic appearance. The way her period bridal dress drags down the stairs shows the unnatural behaviour and existence of Vampires. As Lucy approaches the bottom of the stairs, the candles light to emphasize and remind the audience that she is supernatural. The quick cuts between each shot helps the pace of the scene to show each characters tensions while keeping the audience engaged. Lucy attempts to seduce Arther with her charms as the camera follows her almost dragging the audience with her. But suddenly a crucifix is held to the centre of the frame almost as a jump scare close to her face accompanied by Lucys screaming and animalistic hissing as Van Helsing wards her back into her coffin recounting an exorcism. This shot is reversed which gives the illusion that lucy is a creature of the night as she crawls and scatters back. As a final act of defying the holiness of the cross she projectile vomits blood onto the crucifix and Van Helsings. Lucy finally rests with a chilling, mocking cackling coming from elsewhere. Then Arthur is instructed to let her rest by staking her through the heart as cackling and whispers can be heard as if all evil is escaping her body. Van Helsing cuts her head off with a horrific slashing sound from a birds-eye view. Dracula is awoken seemingly in pain at the same moment her severed head revolves through the air across the still shot with a black background and red sinister lighting.