I think this might be my personal favorite film adaptation of Dracula. Glad to see such a great analysis.

Successful adaptations from books generally are those who risk and just don't limited to trace the original material. Some times the result is awful and sometimes it's great. Personally I love both kinds of Draculas. The monster without feelings in the book and the tormented killer in the movie.

Hi Leon. You touched briefly on the theory that 19th century vampire literature uses anti-Semitic themes. One of those themes could be Dracula's need for soil from his homeland. In the 19th century Jews would often acquire dirt from the Holy Land to include in their burial, symbolically connecting them in death to their homeland. So too Dracula needs to sleep in soil from his homeland.

It's been a while since I've read the book, but I seem to recall it being rather different than how it's described here. Lucy was a rather promiscuous character, yes, but it didn't read to me as if vampirism was supposed to be a thematic punishment. All three of her suitors look over her as she's sick and dying, none mind that she associates with the others and all of them plus Helsing give her their blood. Lucy and later Mina are treated as victims of their circumstances. I read them as rape victims and their companions understood it wasn't their fault what happened to them. I also recall Mina having a good deal of agency in the novel. Even when Harker basically told her to stay in the kitchen (for her safety) she still accompanied the group to intercept Drac's remains and thought up parts of their plan. Even the Catholic-Prodestant tensions sound kind of off to me. Harker gets the crucifix in Romania, and though he thinks it's odd he holds onto it for protection. Seward, Holmwood and Morris all find Helsing's artifacts and use of the Body of Christ to be strange, they don't understand them, but they don't oppose because it gets results. I dunno, maybe it's just a hindsight thing, but I've always viewed Dracula as far ahead of its era.

I am so happy you did this movie. It's one of my favorites. Gary Oldman was one badass vampire!

I love this movie! No matter how much time passes it remains a favorite of mine.

I enjoy films which stay fairly close to the original Dracula story. This allows the themes of morality, sexuality, and xenophobia from the source material to emerge which the video essay explores. This style of film is more old fashioned where horror is equally blended with drama. Coppola's film takes this retro approach not only in terms of story but in the use of traditional special effects.

I love both the movie and the novel, my absolute favorite in each respective category. One angle I find interesting with the book is that misfortune often comes to Harker and the gang because they decide to leave the women, especially Mina, out. It feels kinda like Stoker is subtextually commenting on the infantilizing treatment of women in his society. They often treat Mina like she wont be able to handle their task because she's a woman, yet she often carries the biggest burden.

man i love this movie, if for nothing else than how much excellent style Coppola brought to the story. every shot has something bizarre and awesome going on, plus the scoring and sound design adds this whole almost Lynchian vibe to the proceedings. i'd rank it up there with Coppola's best

I really like the use of Dracula's shadow in the movie as an extension/expression of his demonic curse.

I'm not sure but I remember there was a line that said Dracula prefer Woman prey. He does go after Lucy and Mina, and Jonathan and Mina witnessed him stalks a third girl. I think the gay angle need more. A rich foreigner stealing all the woman would be stronger angle me thinks.

Ah yes, this is the type of content that I’m here for. Subscribed, fine creator!

Dude. You're KILLING IT lately with the choices. Keep it up!

Great in-depth take on one of my favorite movies!

The evolution of the vampire throughout fiction is very interesting. I find it very fascinating how in Victorian England, the story of Dracula portrays him as something to be feared and nowadays the vampires are still feared but they are more relatable, they're not all "monstrous". Some vampires, like Angel, can even have romantic relationships with vampire slayers like Buffy. The fictional vampire evolves parallel to changing societal values.

I LOVE this movie.

I always saw Dracula as more bisexual, really.

We must also remember that Bram Stoker had a double life, he had a hidden homosexual relationship with actor Henry Irving, to whom he worked as an accountant.

My big problems with the movie are the treatment of the two female leads and the whole 'romance' angle. There's no suggestion whatever in the novel that Dracula is in love with Mina or any other woman - they're prey and possible servants, which very much also goes for men. Mina is seriously overpowered in the novel, one of the the two most intelligent people in the story (van Helsing being the other one), turns the tables on Dracula, by using the connection he forced on her to spy on him, and stay strong even after having been infected. Lucy is an innocent, naive girl in the novel, the 'slut' angle is only tied to one line she writes - she wishes a woman could be married to more than one man. That's not about more sex or more money - soft-hearted Lucy simply doesn't want to hurt the other two suitors.

A good piece on a favorite of mine. Love your work and was looking forward to this one since your video at the start of the year.

Love this analysis of the movie! Would you also consider reviewing Werner Herzog's remake of Nosferatu?

I am actually doing a paper on Dracula with all the things you mentioned here and this is really helpful for me. Keep going with the awesome work that you are doing!

This movie is so good! Looks amazing too.

3:52 I knew that they were vampires were a metaphor for something else! Lol

Lovely video, thank you very much

One of my favorite movie of all times , i like obscene female sexuality and count Dracula is the good guy to me.

Dracula, The Fallen Servant of God

Just got done watching this beautiful piece of artwork I was also wondering if Mina becomes a vampire at the end of the film

I did not know this was Francis Ford Copola

Awesome channel! Please can u make a video talking about La Haine (1995)?

Leon, you need to make a bonus Dracula Renegade Cut, where you us the audio from this episode but has the images from Dracula Dead And Loving It.

I've crossed oceans of time...

I remember back in the day you had a great video called Monsters and Sex. Any chance of that getting re uploaded?

Excellent video!

of course Bumbershoot would review Dracula

The religious theme is at the core of Coppola's work. In fact, the four films that you choose to analyse have a parallel montage that juxtaposes violent acts with a sacred ritual. Just as in Scorsese the recurring theme is "the ignominous fate of the traitors", in Coppola it is "the irredeemable nature of the violent". Deeply Dantesque themes, typical of the heritage they share.

There's nothing wrong with sex ....even in the Bible

Hey does anyone know the music that played towards the end of the video?

I'm literally reading this as of this posting.

Excellent analysis!

Wow, is it just me, or does there seem to be a noticeable improvement in the narration's audio quality? Another great insight into another great movie, as always. Thank you! :D

Please do Naked Lunch. Would love your take on it.

Never understood how war is ever in the name of God. Especially when Jesus preached peace love and forgiveness. Vlad was a powerful leader and was seen as a hero to his people even though his practices were considered that of a dictator.

At the 1:00 I heard your words as 'Abraham van Helsing, a cis-Harker'. Leftism seems to be doing things to my brain's autocorrect function. Nice video, though! :)

The only problem with this movie is Keanu Reeves. Coppola shoul’ve give the role to Johnny Depp instead.

Why doesn't this have more views. This analysis is so wholesome.

I think it would have been interesting to have touched on the fact that Bram Stoker was Irish when discussing the issue of foreigners and xenophobia. Taken from that point of view, Dracula could equally be considered to be the English in Ireland, rather than purely English xenophobia. The more direct interpretation you explore, the foreigner in England corrupting and leeching off of the population, as Dracula comes from Eastern Europe, it makes it all the more relevant today. Eastern Europeans in England today hold the position in society that those from the Caribbean and Ireland had in the 50's/60's, and those from central Asia had during the 70's/80's. That of being recent immigrants that are demonised and abused by those holding xenophobic beliefs.

5:30

Hmmm, interesting.

Bro don’t spoil it lol I own the film ( jk good job review)

Which is funnier? Mel Brook's Dracula or Ford Coppola's Dracula?

you are gay and I respect that

Watching this reminds me why I hated it when I first saw this film 23 or 24 years ago. The choice to stay truer to the narrative of the novel than previous Dracula adaptations while also incorporating elements related to the actual Vlad III of Wallachia as part of Dracula's background undermines both and creates a certain feeling of incongruity for any of us familiar with both. On top of this you have elements taken from a later derivative work which has significantly different views of both the vampire as mythological symbol and the roles of the female characters in the narrative than the original novel creating an even deeper sense of incongruity. In short this particular film, while very visually striking and quite adept, fails to work due to mutually conflicting character and plot elements within it.

I am dracula

I always found the movie's treatment of the female characters to be uncomfortable at best and insulting at worst. Lucy (who's only "crime" in the novel is having three separate men fall in love with her -- there's no indication of any kind of sexuality in her character until after she's infected/corrupted by Dracula) is turned into a slutty ditz. Mina (basically a rape victim in the novel) is "upgraded" to a consensual love interest in the movie, which essentially makes her at least somewhat culpable for her own victimization later on. I feel like Stoker would just stare in shock and sputter "But... that's not... I didn't intend... did you even *read* it?!?!"

Truth be told I can't watch this film anymore due to Keanu Reeves. The role just doesn't suit him in my opinion. I think it's just the accent sounds too fake to me as an Englishmen.

I mean, I appreciate the effort to try and modernize the story, but honestly I don't think they tried hard enough, it still comes off as rather prudish and conservative IMO (and knowing Coppola shouted sexist slurs at Winona Ryder during filming to try and rile her up doesn't really change that opinion any)

I hate this movie. Gary Oldham finally exorcising Sid Viscous as Prince Vlad or the Count from Sesame Street VON, TWO... Perhaps Francis Ford's muse died in the Philippines.

In all fairness, as I think the "real" christian story is ludicrous, I will say that Coppola created a masterpiece with this film.