Bram Stoker's Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola is a wonderful film. It is filled with beautiful sets, exquisite costumes, excellent make-up effects and brilliantly melodramatic performances.

Gary Oldman stars as the Count, a man who sold his soul to Satan after his wife, Elisabeta, killed herself on receiving false news of his death in battle. He is ultimately made immortal by his Master and years later, meets Jonathan Harker, a younger lawyer who has come to negotiate his buying land in England. It is at this moment that Dracula sees a photograph of Jonathan's betrothed, Mina, who bears a striking resemblance to his own love, Elisabeta. He consequently imprisons Harker and travels to England to wreak havoc and to find the woman he believes to be the reincarnation of his lost wife.

The film remains very faithful to the novel throughout which is refreshing, given the usual Hollywood tendency to "re-imagine" or change the source completely. The performances on the whole are excellent - dodgy accents and Keanu Reeves aside - and are believable in the horrific context of the story, which shocks and seduces in equal measure. Anthony Hopkins' crazed turn as Professor Van Helsing is inspired and Gary Oldman attacks the role of Dracula with great relish and is tremendous in the role.

The film was awarded three Oscars - for Best Costume Design, Best Effects and Best Make-up - and various other accolades, and is easily one of the best films of the 1990s. This film is a must see for any Dracula/vampire fan, any fan of Francis Ford Coppola or anyone who loves a good film.

Late one night I caught this half way through on Sky and I was hooked so I got the DVD as soon as possible.
I'm sure everyone knows the story of Dracula, even though there are obvious differences from the book this is still very well executed.
The acting all around is great, except maybe the wooden Keanu Reeves (it has been revealed I think he was cast as Coppola wanted someone who was the pin up at the time) and Gary Oldman as usual is amazing. Hopkins and Ryder are also impressive, but for me the film goes to a startling performance from Sadie Frost.
Yes you may know her more from being Jude Law's ex- but seriously I think it is a travesty she didn't build on the quality she shows in this film. Her performance as Lucy in my opinion is memorable. I hope she gets back to acting soon.
Overall an engaging, and often emotional film, which even might tug at your heart strings at certain points.
It is also an interesting career start from Monica Belluci as one of Dracula's brides.
At this price, this DVD with interesting features is a steal.

Brilliantly visual film adaptation of Bram Stoker's timeless book. Some fine directing and visualisation makes this a fascinating film to watch and unlike many other Dracula films it benefits by being very faithful to the original novel.
Gary Oldman is fantastic as Dracula although has to suffer a great deal of the time by being immersed under a great deal of make-up. Hopkins continues the great tradition by playing Van Helsing and some of the support cast are also particuarly fine, Richard E Grant for instance. But yes, this film (like Much Ado About Nothing) does prove that Keanu Reeves cannot hold his own when up against actors of a better calibre.

cast the incredibly talented Gary Oldman in the same film as the unbelievably wooden Keanu Reeves? Listen, all producers/directors and anyone else willing to, er, listen, KEANU REEVES CANNOT ACT! WHATSOEVER!
However, Oldman really steals the show (surprise, surprise!) and this classic tale is saved by his fantastic performance as the lonely and ever-so-slightly 'eccentric' Count Dracula.
Perhaps providing some of the best special effects in the past 20 years of cinema, this film is arguably the most faithful to Stoker's gothic masterpeice. For those requiring a snapshot of Stoker's novel, the 'extra features' menu neatly ties up a few 'faqs'.