Dracula (1979). Do you own the OST, and have you seen the movie?

[Josh500 1,615]

Very excited about this. 

 

But I've never actually seen the movie. I do own the OST album, however. How about you? 

 

On LP :

 

 

The degree to which most people are excited over this new release from LLL, you'd think Dracula (1979) was an installment of Indiana Jones or something.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited for this, but I've never even seen the movie. The main theme is powerful enough, but does this score warrant being regarded as being on the same level as, say, Raiders, The Empire Strikes Back, or Close Encounters of the Third Kind? 

 

I doubt it, but maybe I'm missing something. Anyway, it seems to me that the overly high level of excitement over this release stems mostly from the fact that it was unavailable for so long, and not necessarily from the quality of the score itself..... Although, mind, it's not a bad score at all.

 

I'm interested in your opinions.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,525]

As I've posted before; I saw DRACULA at the cinema, in 1979, in London.

I have owned the OST, in one form, or another, since August, 1979.

When I can afford it, I will buy the LLL.

[Josh500 1,615]

4 minutes ago, Richard said:

As I've posted before; I saw DRACULA at the cinema, in 1979, in London.

 

Wow, really! Was the theatre full on that day?

 

May I ask you, how old are you!? I wasn't even born in 1979, let alone collecting JW scores.

4 minutes ago, Richard said:

I have owned the OST, in one form, or another, since August, 1979.

 

Good for you! 

4 minutes ago, Richard said:

When I can afford it, I will buy the LLL.

 

It's 5000 copies, so no need to hurry.

[crumbs 14,313]

Am I the only one who always mistakes the bright, hand-shaped highlight to the right of the girl's neck (bottom right of the album cover) looks like Dracula's outstretched hand?

 

It's irritated me for years !

[Josh500 1,615]

11 minutes ago, crumbs said:

Am I the only one who always mistakes the bright, hand-shaped highlight to the right of the girl's neck (bottom right of the album cover) looks like Dracula's outstretched hand?

 

 

Well, get the LLL version! It's remastered, so the hand should be even clearer! 

[Bespin 8,481]

Dracula OST is a very good score from John Williams, a very enjoyable album.

 

A must!

[crumbs 14,313]

3 minutes ago, Josh500 said:

Well, get the LLL version! It's remastered, so the hand should be even clearer! 

 

Varese, you mean.

[Luke Skywalker 1,795]

Never seen the film, got a CDR. And hell yeah!

[filmmusic 1,828]

47 minutes ago, Richard said:

As I've posted before; I saw DRACULA at the cinema, in 1979, in London.

I have owned the OST, in one form, or another, since August, 1979.

When I can afford it, I will buy the LLL.

Ah, so you saw the colorful version, right?

I saw the desaturated version on TV and I wasn't aware about this issue until some years back.

Apparently the director doesn't want the colorful version out there now that's why the DVD and Bluray have the desaturated one.

[Thor 7,503]

I've owned the CD since the late 90s, I think.

 

I've seen the film. It's fairly decent as far as DRACULA adaptations go. It subscribes to the same 'romantic' approach that Coppola did years later, and although the latter is obviously superior (the best DRACULA film, IMO, and one of the best films of the 90s), the Badham has things going for it. Love the kaleidoscopic love scene, Langella's performance and the prevalent use of red and darkish blue throughout (if this has been desaturated on BR, it's a real shame!). The score is wonderful, of course.

 

And as previously stated, no I will not get the 2018 release in physical format.

[Josh500 1,615]

35 minutes ago, crumbs said:

 

Varese, you mean.

 

That's right! 😂👍

11 minutes ago, Thor said:

I've seen the film. It's fairly decent as far as DRACULA adaptations go. It subscribes to the same 'romantic' approach that Coppola did years later, and although the latter is obviously superior (the best DRACULA film, IMO, and one of the best films of the 90s), the Badham has things going for it. 

 

Agreed.

 

I own the soundtrack to Bram Stoker's Dracula too, and man! This is really mind-numbingly,  horrifyingly good. Not sure whether JW's version is better.... But then, obviously, like you said, Coppola's version of the movie is far superior. Wojciech Kilar had just better material to work with....

 

The opening is my favourite:

 

 

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

15 minutes ago, Thor said:

I've owned the CD since the late 90s, I think.

 

I've seen the film. It's fairly decent as far as DRACULA adaptations go. It subscribes to the same 'romantic' approach that Coppola did years later, and although the latter is obviously superior (the best DRACULA film, IMO, and one of the best films of the 90s), the Badham has things going for it. Love the kaleidoscopic love scene, Langella's performance and the prevalent use of red and darkish blue throughout (if this has been desaturated on BR, it's a real shame!). The score is wonderful, of course.

 

And as previously stated, no I will not get the 2018 release in physical format.

 

No interest in owning the OST with likely better sound quality than the old CD?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

19 minutes ago, Thor said:

And as previously stated, no I will not get the 2018 release in physical format.

 

I interpret his post in that he plans to find a download of it rather then pay for it.

[aescalle 122]

One of the best score from the Golden period!

[Brundlefly 2,385]

1. The score is one of Williams' best and can compete with Close Encounters, Witches of Eastwick and other similar stuff.

2. The movie is much better than Coppola's version and I cannot understand why so many people consider it just "mediocre" or "alright". It is one of the ten best movies Williams has scored.

3. The new Deluxe Edition looks like the second most ambitious CD Club release Varese has ever done. (Stop saying it was La-La Land!)

[publicist 4,643]

43 minutes ago, Josh500 said:

I own the soundtrack to Bram Stoker's Dracula too, and man! This is really mind-numbingly,  horrifyingly good. Not sure whether JW's version is better.... But then, obviously, like you said, Coppola's version of the movie is far superior. Wojciech Kilar had just better material to work with....

 

First, you just cannot compare those, idiomatically.The first one is fiery romanticism, Kilar's is minimalist/languid, just as the movie's are totally different beasts. The Badham movie is a big, elegantly designed-if-too-literal horror movie that somehow fits JW's british leanings, Kilar works (has to) mostly around the Grand Guignol of Coppola's stylized circus, though both share the romantic DNA alien to the Lugosi/Lee eras. 

 

The Badham is not a lost masterpiece or anything, but neither is the Coppola: the visual razzle-dazzle wears thin after they leave Transsylvania the whole thing drags in its second act.

[Josh500 1,615]

10 minutes ago, publicist said:

 

First, you just cannot compare those, idiomatically.

 

Of course you can compare them!

 

These two movies/scores are wildly different, yes, and they have vastly different approaches on the same subject matter. And that's exactly why you can compare them. You can try to find similarities, commonalities, and parallels between the two. That's what comparing is all about. Plus, you can comment which version you personally prefer, and why, i.e. express your subjective opinion.

 

If they're the same or very similar, there's no point in comparing them at all.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

Define "own."

[Josh500 1,615]

3 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

Define "own."

 

King Boo owns Luigi's Mansion!

 

There, don't know how much clearer I can get. 😂 

[Disco Stu 15,495]

I've "had" the Dracula OST for over a decade.  I've never "owned" it, though.

[Josh500 1,615]

Anybody seen this? Love the "love theme," pun intended.

 

BTW, always one a**hole in the crowd that needs to cough when the music starts.... 😠

 

"

6 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

I've "had" the Dracula OST for over a decade.  I've never "owned" it, though.

 

Okay, whatever. Vote however you like! 

_________________

 

As a comparison: 

 

 

[publicist 4,643]

10 minutes ago, Josh500 said:

 

Of course you can compare them!

 

These two movies/scores are wildly different, yes, and they have vastly different approaches on the same subject matter. And that's exactly why you can compare them. You can try to find similarities, commonalities, and parallels between the two. That's what comparing is all about.

 

Read. 'Idiomatically' refers to your blanket statement above which is exactly what a good comparison should NOT do, as you first have to at least establish a narrative along which you want to compare them. You basically say 'both are named Dracula and one is better because the movie sucks less'.

[Josh500 1,615]

3 minutes ago, publicist said:

 

Read. 'Idiomatically' refers to your blanket statement above which is exactly what a good comparison should NOT do, as you first have to at least establish a narrative along which you want to compare them. You basically say 'both are named Dracula and one is better because the movie sucks less'.

 

Don't join in the discussion then! See if I care. You say you can't compare then, then don't. This isn't school.

 

Besides, it's all subjective. You can compare these two, based on your musical tastes and preferences. Of course you can. I'm not saying it's easy or definite, but of course it's possible. Only a fool puts limitations on art and on ways to look at it.

 

 

[publicist 4,643]

Geez, you are impossible.

[Thor 7,503]

1 hour ago, Stefancos said:

 

I interpret his post in that he plans to find a download of it rather then pay for it.

 

We tend to get new Varese releases like this for consideration, either sent to the IFMCA or through promotional companies directly to Celluloid Tunes. But sometimes, we have to wait untill the end of the year, or untill I request it. More and more, review copies are only available upon request.

[Romão 2,274]

I actually think both Williams and Kilar's scores are quite perfect for the respective films. I like both quite a bit

[Thor 7,503]

Indeed. Both fine scores, as is Hans Erdmann's NOSFERATU. Probably the three best, most essential Dracula scores in film history.

[Bespin 8,481]

About the movie iself, that's not the best Dracula, but that's not the worst.

 

It's a very decent 70's Dracula and a great Langella performance...

 

And well, of course, the John Williams score make this movie.... let's say... eternal?

[mstrox 6,651]

I don't own it ($$$$$) and I've never seen it.  I ordered the new one.

 

I've heard it before, maybe 10-12 years ago, back when file sharing apps were all the rage.  Somewhere around that time, I deleted all of my stuff that was illegally downloaded, unofficially sourced, etc (bye bye Dracula, bye bye prequel edits, bye bye FYCs, etc), so this will essentially be a whole new score for me.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,525]

4 hours ago, Josh500 said:

Wow, really! Was the theatre full on that day?

 

May I ask you, how old are you?

The theatre was not full that day (Friday) but it was full the next evening (Saturday) when I saw ALIEN, on its opening weekend, at the Odeon Leicester Square, in 70mm, and 6-track Dolby Stereo.

 

As I have posted elsewhere, I am old enough to know better, and young enough not to care.

 

 

 

3 hours ago, filmmusic said:

Ah, so you saw the colorful version, right?

Yes, I saw the full-fat version of DRACULA, as Gil Taylor shot it. It looked beautiful.

 

 

Some thoughts: because of the renewed interest in this score, I've been listening to the OST, combined with a "sort of" rip, from the Blu.

All I can say now, is, I'm so glad that a major soundtrack hole, in JW's oeuvre is being plugged. When I first heard it, I wasn't too impressed, coming, as it did, between the towering achievement of SUPERMAN, and the bombastic, fun-filled 1941. The more I've listened to it, over the years, however, the more, I love it. The playing is - mostly - top-drawer, and I begin to hear little "mini-themes" that never previously registered (the 8-note piano motif in THE BAT ATTACK echos the same motif as the horse tramples on Mina's grave.

Once the complete score is heard, I am confident that DRACULA will take its rightful place, alongside E.T., ROTLA, TESB, and SUPERMAN, as a pinnacle in that golden period, when our man could do no wrong.

[Josh500 1,615]

25 minutes ago, Romão said:

I actually think both Williams and Kilar's scores are quite perfect for the respective films. I like both quite a bit

 

I have yet to see the 1979 version! 

 

I've been watching these movie clips on YouTube, and I quite like what I see and hear! 

 

 

[Disco Stu 15,495]

Kilar's is one of the great gothic romance film scores of all time.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

Josh the 1979 Dracula was an underwhelming theatrical experience. The score is pure JW gold.

[Josh500 1,615]

2 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

Kilar's is one of the great gothic romance film scores of all time.

 

 

Heart-wrenchingly good.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,525]

1 hour ago, JoeinAR said:

Josh the 1979 Dracula was an underwhelming theatrical experience. The score is pure JW gold.

I wouldn't call it "underwhelming". It has a lot to offer: Langella's sultry title role, Pleasance revelling in his "come what may" Seward, Tony Haygarth's "put upon" Renfield, Trevor Eve's earnest Harker, Gil Taylor's ravishing photography, Whitlock's sublte effects, unobtrusive direction, by Badham, and, oh, yes Kate Nelligan, and Jan Francis (sigh).

The score's not bad.

[Brundlefly 2,385]

It's a great movie! Period!

[Naïve Old Fart 9,525]

...and it has The Doctor!

[Holko 9,526]

Yes?

[Naïve Old Fart 9,525]

Yes!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Only the 7th one.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

The one who was murdered by gunfire immediately after stepping out of the Tardis into America. You'd think he would have detected a gang shootout.

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

I think I still own the LP. Never listened to it through though... 

[Josh500 1,615]

I also own the OST album, but I have barely listened to it so far, except for the main title.

 

This new VS release gives many an opportunity to really dig into this score.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,525]

3 hours ago, Stefancos said:

Only the 7th one.

So? It's The fucking Doctor, you dolt!

 

42 minutes ago, Horner's Dynamic Range said:

The one who was murdered by gunfire immediately after stepping out of the Tardis into America. You'd think he would have detected a gang shootout.

He wasn't murdered!

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

He was accidentally caught in the line of fire between a bunch of Asian gangsters?

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

9 hours ago, Josh500 said:

Only a fool puts limitations on art and on ways to look at it.

Aren't your numerous polls, which are to much of a degree bound and limited, a microcosm of this statement. You have countless votes and questions that ask us very specific and often non-relatable items. What do you want?

[Naïve Old Fart 9,525]

You. You're so hard to please. What do you want from me?

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

How did Dracula blow dry his feathered hair?

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

Mr. Neary, what do you want? 

[King Mark 3,631]

Triple Yes