BRAM STOKERS DRACULA Is the Horniest Dracula – Nerdist

Dracula has been around for *checks notes* a long-ass time. And hes made his way to movie screens *checks notes* a butt load of times dating back to 1922. We love ourselves some Christopher Lee, some Bela Lugosi, some Leslie Nielsen, but for our money, the story of Dracula was never as bombastic nor as weirdly faithful to every facet of the story than Francis Ford Coppolas Bram Stokers Dracula.

FFCs BSs D is as lush and atmospheric as any Gothic horror ever put to screen, with gorgeous sets, costumes, and special effects right out of the early days of cinema. Its also got some outstanding performances along with some not so outstanding ones.

In honor of Nerdist Vampire Week, lets take a moment to appreciate the audacious, gory splendor of Bram Stokers Dracula.

First and foremost, this version of Dracula lives and dies (and lives again) on the strength of Gary Oldmans central performance. Coppola brought together many different versions of the vampire count to create Oldmans; from the decrepit rat-like version in Nosferatu, to the sensual, alluring romance of Frank Langella in 1979. Hes got blood-red eyes like the Hammer version, and continental class of the Universal version. Theres even the real-world historical story of Vlad the Impaler in there too. And his armor looks like meat!

Oldmans undead count has passion, emotion, and pathos. Youd probably expect nothing less from him. Hes absolutely magnetic every moment hes on the screen, with every whispered and hissed line. It also doesnt hurt that he has so many different looks throughout the movie. While he looks dope in the top hat and John Lennon sunglasses, our fave is easily the pale old version with the fabulous bouffant hair. Did you notice it looks like a heart? Because we did. Blood, innit?

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Dracula appears as a werewolf, a regular wolf, a bat, a were-bat, a spooky green mist, and a shadow untethered to the laws of nature. And you know what? Sexy every time.

And playing opposite Oldman is Winona Ryder as Mina. It was Ryder who brought the project to Coppola in the first place, and she really gives the role her all. While theres always an air of romance to the story of Dracula, at least in the movies, this version steers right into it, focusing on Minas resemblance to Vlad Tepes own departed beloved. Fittingly, its Mina who slays Dracula at the end, rather than boring old Harker in the book.

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Lets talk about lavish for a moment. The sets and costumes in Bram Stokers Dracula are rightfully hailed, even after nearly 30 years. The costume designer Eiko Ishioka won an Oscar for her work on the movie, as did the makeup effects team and sound effects editors. But, though nominated, the art directiondidnt win. A travesty if you ask us. Thats right, screw you,Howards End!

Filling out those costumes is a roster of tremendous supporting actors. Unlike most screen versions of the Dracula story, all of the major players from Stokers novel are present, including all three of Draculas vampire brides and all three of Lucys suitors. Usually at least one is dropped entirely, and its usually the brash American Quincey Morris. But here he is, mustachioed and behatted, played by Billy Campbell, the Rocketeer himself.

Tom frigging Waits plays the maniacal Renfield, another character that gets cut far too frequently. His gonzo performance exemplifies that over the top, expressionist ethos of the entire production. Dude eats spiders and flies, worms out of the cold cold ground.

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And lets talk about recent Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins as the famed vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing. Joining the ranks of austere actors like Edward Van Sloan and Peter Cushing, Hopkins plays his Van Helsing a bit like a rock star, a crass, alcohol-swigging brute who nevertheless knows everything and helps everybody. His portrayal was so strong, they were going to spin him off into his own solo film. This is 100% true. It never came to fruition with Hopkins, but it did happen years later with Hugh Jackman.

Finally, lets talk about what Bram Stokers Dracula has over just about every other version of Dracula: Its unapologetically horny! Every frame of this movie pulses with lust and passion. Sometimes bridled, but sometimesUN-bridled.

Bram Stokers Dracula is currently streaming on HBO Max and theres no better time to revisit this truly wild and adoringly off-the-rails version of a horror classic.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Twitter!

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BRAM STOKERS DRACULA Is the Horniest Dracula - Nerdist