4 Film Favorites: Draculas [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

This box set is a superb way of gaining a colection of Dracula films from Hammer studios. The prints are fantastic, boasting the rich colour schemes and clarity of picture expected from a decent release of these movies.All four of the titles included are usually quite pricey when bought individually, so to get them at a good price is key. This also means that you instantly have a bulk of the films in the series without needing to track them down on their own.The sound is crystal clear, the transfers are crisp and the look and feel of the overall picture is one of being in the cinema and watching them. All this and the packaging is also nicely crafted, with all four cover designs displayed on the front. This is a lovely collection if you are just after owning these titles. There is no 'special edition' treatment here with the usual lobby cards, collectible booklets and never ending extras. However, if like me you are an avid cult and classic horror fan and collector, then this stands up as one of the very best ways to obtain these fright gems.The DVDs arrived on time, in very good condition and were a joy to watch again after so many years. I used to own all of these on old VHS copies back in the day, so it was lovely to see nice clear visuals as opposed to the old 'bad tracking', crackling appearance of my ex rental video copies, without it spoiling the authenticity of the Hammer 'look'. That rich colour scheme, the fog-like grainy appeal that we all know and love.So, turn the lights out, kick back, pour yourself a glass of blood, stick the fangs in and relive those fond memories of watching these genre milestones of yesteryear. Hell, not all of the Hammer Dracula output was good, but, as with every good horror cycle, there has to be some movies showcasing hammy acting, wooden performances, cheesy dialogue and cleavage close-ups as 'filler'. But, this is what makes us love them. After all, who would dare to complain too much. As Hammer studios would have us believe, evil lurks just round the corner. Sweet dreams.

My one slight gripe on this was one side of Disc 2 (featuring 'Dracula AD 1972') was scratched. But it played well enough, and in fact all four movies are presented in all their Hammer Gothic glory. I loved each and every one of these classics and at this price you really cannot do better. Highly recommended.

Excellent,fast delivery too.

When I bought this box set, I had only watched one of the films before. That was The horror of Dracula. That one I always found was too rushed, too sloppy, too halfhearted, and too unfaithful to the source, which is Stoker's novel. Many people think of this as the definitive version though, and maintain that the sequels are vastly inferior to it. I was pleased to find out that I found the sequels much more inspired than the first Hammer Dracula film. Now they no longer had to include elements of Stoker's novel, which they would not be faithful to anyway, not even in spirit, but instead had the freedom to place the Romanian bloodsucker in new settings. And somehow, it is a much more satisfying way to put him on the screen. Lee was born to play Dracula, he even looks like Stoker's description of "the man". Unfortunately, I have to agree with Lee that none of the films he made for Hammer or Jess Franco presented the vampire as he should be. In fact none of the film versions do. But Lee and Cushing are always interesting to watch, and I do think that the sequels managed to build up a good eerie, creepy, sinister atmosphere.Many Dracula films have been made, and none of them, not even among the best ones, have been perfect, but I think that Lee, Palance, and Oldman came closer than the rest.The BBC version was the most faithful to the novel, and had a great Van Helsing in Frank Finlay, but it suffered from the same horrible lighting in photography that also dragged other seventies' BBC productions, such as Upstairs & Donwnstairs, and I.CLaudius down. And Jourdan is not very menacing at all.The Hammer versions are generally a bit cheap, and the first one is downright sloppy and a mutilation of the story, but the sequels improve some (which I normally never think sequels do), and they have a great Dracula.Dan Curtis' TV version has a great Dracula in Jack Palance, and a good Holmwood, in Simon Ward, but it takes too many and too big liberties with the source.It shares the theme of reincarnated love with Coppola's, and like it's younger succesor also identifies Dracula with the real Vlad Dracula Tepes. Great idea. But like Horror of Dracula goes too far when it makes Jonathan a vampire, and like the Hammer version leaves out too many characters.Coppola's is the visually most beautiful in photography, prduction design and visual effects, had the greatest creepy, evil score, the hottest vampire brides, the best Renfield (Tom Waits), and a very underrated Dracula in Gary Oldman. Unfortunately it had two very unconvincing young Americans as Jonathan and Mina (Reeves and Ryder), too much unnecessary love story, and a Van Helsing whose dialogue did not always make sense. But all in all, I this is my favorite.

Was amazed at how quick it arrived from the US - great quality product and Nostalgia - hubby really pleased :O)

A fine collection of classic Hammer Horror. The Horror of Dracula is the best one, the rest are pretty good films aswell, Dracula 1972 was a blast lol.

Watched them all takes me back to my youth and seeing them at the movies great.

A great purchase with 4 classics in one box a must of any hammer fan or Christopher Lee fan well worth it