Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a 1992 American romantic horror film, an adaptation of the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. Directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, it stars Gary Oldman as Count Dracula and Winona Ryder as Mina Harker.With his pale complexion and cold eyes, he seems to be the very embodiment of evil. Not surprisingly, this movie was inspired by Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, which was first published in 1897.
Although the movie is based on the novel, it does deviate from it. While Stoker’s Dracula is presented as a heroic figure who falls in love with a young woman named Mina Seward, in Browning’s movie he is not a virtuous character and only cares about his own needs, especially when they involve human blood. He seems to be motivated by pure evil and has no redeeming qualities. His features are also different from those of his literary counterpart.
What is the film about?
The movie is based on the classic novel Dracula by Irish author Bram Stoker. In this book published in 1897, the story is set in England and tells about a man named Count Dracula who comes to London from Transylvania to seduce a young woman named Mina Seward and take over England entirely. He succeeds in his evil plan, but he succumbs to his own bloodlust and dies in the end due to it. It is a classic tale of horror and suspense with some of the details, adding a subplot about the relationship between Dracula and Mina Seward, who is an innocent young woman who falls victim to Dracula’s evil plans.
The Cast team
- Gary Oldman as Count Dracula / Vlad the Impaler[12]
- Winona Ryder as Mina Harker (née Murray) / Elisabeta
- Anthony Hopkins as Professor Abraham Van Helsing / Priest / Principal Narrator
- Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker
- Richard E. Grant as Dr. Jack Seward
- Cary Elwes as Lord Arthur Holmwood
- Billy Campbell as Quincey P. Morris
- Sadie Frost as Lucy Westenra
- Tom Waits as R. M. Renfield
- Monica Bellucci as Dracula’s Bride
- Michaela Bercu as Dracula’s Bride
- Florina Kendrick as Dracula’s Bride
- Jay Robinson as Mr. Hawkins
Release Date
Dracula was theatrically released in the United States on November 13, 1992
The plot twist
Shortly after the opening scene, in which Count Dracula stands over a sleeping Mina with his vampiric eyes glowing, we see him from an entirely different perspective. After he turns out the gaslight in a very quiet and creepy fashion typical of the genre. He shows up in full view and we can see that he is wearing an eye patch over his left eye. This is an interesting detail because it provides us with a subtle clue about Dracula’s intentions for Mina.
The change in perspective, not to mention the accent, is important because it reveals Dracula’s true nature. He is a vampire; he has been a vampire. He is no hero. When he comes to get Mina, she and everyone else think Dracula is an honourable man and a good guy, as it appears at first glance. But after some thought, we realise that Van Helsing’s warnings about vampires are completely accurate. Dracula can’t help himself; he has to drink blood.
The suspense
There is a good deal of suspense in the movie. There is a lot of tension and anticipation in the scene where Van Helsing gets Mina to safety. The tension between Van Helsing and Dracula increases when Dracula finds out about Mina’s disappearance.
Together, they set out to find Mina.The climax occurs when Dr. Seward discovers that he cannot stop Dracula with his weapons, whereas Dracula is able to kill him easily with his dagger as he attacks him after getting out of the coffin.
What makes this move more interesting?
The “changing perspective” is a well-executed cinematic twist. We see Dracula from Van Helsing’s point of view when he is describing his plans for killing him. The fact that Dracula wears an eye patch is a vital clue, one that could potentially save Mina’s life if she only pays attention to it and if Van Helsing manages to reach her in time.
It’s hard not to notice the subtle twist in the final scene, when it appears as though Dracula is dying before Mina’s eyes.
