Dracula (1931) - the Universal DVD - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

bigandya · 12-19-2000, 11:30 PM

I have just watched this despite having had it in my collection for several months, and I have a couple of questions. As usual, any help would be appreciated.

I first saw this at a repertory screening in 1976 when I was 11 years old. I am convinced I remember complete credits at the end to the tune of The Dying Swan; the Universal DVD ends rather abruptly and I wondered if anybody else knew of this other version?

Secondly, as John and Mina leave Carfax Abbey, Van Helsing remarks "I'll be along presently" and then the film abruptly ends. Why did Van Helsing stay behind? Was it to behead Dracula? Did the censors of the day remove somthing here?

I listened to some of the audio commentary and watched most of the documentary that accompanies the film, but I couldn't find answers to these questions.

Finally, many of the scenes in the film seem to be missing something, almost as though cuts were made to the print for some reason or other. Its probably my imagination, I was 11 when I last saw it, but if anybody has any information on any longer version I would be delighted to hear about it.

Many thanks.

Chest Rockwell · 12-20-2000, 12:07 AM

What's up, Biggie! I just got this disc a few days ago. I suggest you watch the Spanish version of the film, which is also included on the disc and many of your questions will be answered. Los version Espanole was filmed at the same time with the same sets and the same script and our south american friends did many things better than the stateside crew. And don't worry, there are english subtitles.

For example, when Juan Harker (!) and Eva (Mina) leave at the very end Van Helsing says something like "I'll stay behind, I plan to keep the promise I made to Renfield". Earlier in the film, Van Helsing promised Renfield he would free his soul after he died (stake the mutha). Van Helsing stayed behind to make sure Renfield got a big splinter.

And when you say that it seemed like the movie was cut, you may be glad to hear that I noticed a lot more information came through in the spanish version. Dialogue was a little longer and they gave more info. Also - and I could have just missed it, as I've only watched each of them once - I don't remember Harker and Van Helsing staking Lucy (the lady in white) in the american version. But I sure did see Juan and senor Van Helsing walking out of the cemetary talking about how they saved Lucia's soul...

I suggest you take a look at the spanish version. The creepy close-ups of Conde Dracula are laughable, but there is a bit more info and I swear you can see Eva's nipples in one scene!

As for credits, was the restoration done in 1976, or was that a recent thing done for the DVD? I've seen restored films have ending restoration credits roll. The Vertigo DVD had a restoration credit roll at the end with Bernard Hermann's classic score underneath. If you were 11, maybe you didn't notice that they weren't original credits. That's just one possibility.

bigandya · 12-20-2000, 07:06 AM

Thanks Chest!

Yes, I checked out bits of the Spanish version - I was amazed that it was practically 30 minutes longer than the US cut. I see what you mean about the ending; now it all makes sense!

Lucy never gets staked in the US cut, so tonight its El Conde Dracule for me - I can't hardly wait.

Thanks again.

12-19-2000, 11:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigandya Actor Join Date: Nov 2000	Dracula (1931) - the Universal DVD I have just watched this despite having had it in my collection for several months, and I have a couple of questions. As usual, any help would be appreciated. I first saw this at a repertory screening in 1976 when I was 11 years old. I am convinced I remember complete credits at the end to the tune of The Dying Swan; the Universal DVD ends rather abruptly and I wondered if anybody else knew of this other version? Secondly, as John and Mina leave Carfax Abbey, Van Helsing remarks "I'll be along presently" and then the film abruptly ends. Why did Van Helsing stay behind? Was it to behead Dracula? Did the censors of the day remove somthing here? I listened to some of the audio commentary and watched most of the documentary that accompanies the film, but I couldn't find answers to these questions. Finally, many of the scenes in the film seem to be missing something, almost as though cuts were made to the print for some reason or other. Its probably my imagination, I was 11 when I last saw it, but if anybody has any information on any longer version I would be delighted to hear about it. Many thanks.

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12-20-2000, 12:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chest Rockwell Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	What's up, Biggie! I just got this disc a few days ago. I suggest you watch the Spanish version of the film, which is also included on the disc and many of your questions will be answered. Los version Espanole was filmed at the same time with the same sets and the same script and our south american friends did many things better than the stateside crew. And don't worry, there are english subtitles. For example, when Juan Harker (!) and Eva (Mina) leave at the very end Van Helsing says something like "I'll stay behind, I plan to keep the promise I made to Renfield". Earlier in the film, Van Helsing promised Renfield he would free his soul after he died (stake the mutha). Van Helsing stayed behind to make sure Renfield got a big splinter. And when you say that it seemed like the movie was cut, you may be glad to hear that I noticed a lot more information came through in the spanish version. Dialogue was a little longer and they gave more info. Also - and I could have just missed it, as I've only watched each of them once - I don't remember Harker and Van Helsing staking Lucy (the lady in white) in the american version. But I sure did see Juan and senor Van Helsing walking out of the cemetary talking about how they saved Lucia's soul... I suggest you take a look at the spanish version. The creepy close-ups of Conde Dracula are laughable, but there is a bit more info and I swear you can see Eva's nipples in one scene! As for credits, was the restoration done in 1976, or was that a recent thing done for the DVD? I've seen restored films have ending restoration credits roll. The Vertigo DVD had a restoration credit roll at the end with Bernard Hermann's classic score underneath. If you were 11, maybe you didn't notice that they weren't original credits. That's just one possibility.

12-20-2000, 07:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
bigandya Actor Join Date: Nov 2000	Thanks Chest! Yes, I checked out bits of the Spanish version - I was amazed that it was practically 30 minutes longer than the US cut. I see what you mean about the ending; now it all makes sense! Lucy never gets staked in the US cut, so tonight its El Conde Dracule for me - I can't hardly wait. Thanks again.