This or Dracula? - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) Discussion

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Chromaggia-Le-Fatale 14 years ago

I love both films, but I prefer the tone of Dracula, and i'm a huge Winona Ryder fan.

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[–] cheapster 13 years ago

I think they're both flawed to hell. But Oldman as Dracula out-creeps De Niro's monster role, and Winona is my choice over Helena BC. Also, Dracula has Anthony Hopkins, and a young Monica Belluci, and is generally better directed and paced. So Dracula wins it by process of elimination.

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[–] CamelCamelCamel 13 years ago

Dracula's an interesting failure. Frankenstein's just a regular one.

I liked the twist from the book as far as Elizabeth is concerned, but as faithful as it reputedly is, some important exposition for the monster that's crucial to understanding him and his motivation was jettisoned. Meanwhile on-the-nose crap like Victor asking aloud, "what have I done?" TWICE stayed in. Pfft.

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[–] ivyandstone 13 years ago

Bram Stoker's Dracula, hands down. A little over the top here and there, actually quite a lot really, but I watch it whenever it's on, and I found the DVD for cheap the other day and bought it. BSD has a happy ending (sort of), the music is outstanding, and it doesn't depress the heck out of me like this version of Frankenstein does.

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[–] CasseroleWorshipper 13 years ago

Both are flawed, but Coppola's DRACULA is heaps better, and a very stylish and appropriate retelling of the novel.

Just compare DeNiro's portrayal of Frankenstein with Gary Oldman's performance.
I don't mean to impose, but I am the Ocean.

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[–] perorewen 13 years ago

How can you say that Coppolas Dracula is an approprate retelling of the novel? They changed the character of Lucy to the obcene and unrecognicable. And made up some very ceesy, inapproprate and rediculous romance between Mina and Dracula. It never ever happened in the book. How on earth would Mina fall in love with a monster (a monster, mind you, not a person) that murdered her best friend and tortured her fiance? It doesn't make sense, and is in every respect a wrong description on what kind of person Mina is. In the book, when Drac tries to turn her, her reaction is not a loving one. It is the reaction of a rape victim: she continously considers herself unclean, unpure, and unworthy of the love of the people around her.

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[–] pelscc2000 13 years ago

Not a tough call for me. Bram Stoker's Dracula wins hands down. It's so stylishly directed...almost operatic. And Gary Oldman can't be beat.

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[–] nicolehering 9 years ago

I like both in their own way.

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[–] psmithyyyyy 9 years ago

I LOVE coppalas Dracula...its a classic. it was sexy, stylish, very operatic and even a bit over the top which IMO is what made it great. I mean look at the subject matter! and a great musical score.

MS frankenstien....BOOORING! never had an interest in it, trying to copy the look and feel of the previous movie and it didn't work with the subject matter.

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[–] 9 years ago

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[–] DracTarashV 8 years ago

I like Dracula's direction, production values, and Monica Bellucci's sexy role. But ultimately, it's a style over substance movie in my book. And aside from Tom Waits' appearance, for me none of the actors (including lord Oldman) are compelling in the slightest

This Frankenstein adaption isn't stellar, but I actually find some depth in this one unlike the melodramatic and overblown Dracula. Moreover, its overall story and acting (Bobby D & Helena give more standout performances) basically leave a bigger impression on me.

You want something corny? You got it!

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[–] ahab19 8 years ago

Dracula

Kramer: ...he was very impressed with what I do.
Elaine: What you do? You don't do anything!

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