As far as the score, I don't think Coma gets enough credit for having one of the most interesting spotting decisions I've ever come across. There is absolutely no scoring in the first half of the film -- not even a main title. But the second half of the movie is densely scored. An usual, offbeat choice, but enormously effective.Monterey Jack wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2017 10:14 pmThe sterile, antiseptic hospital corridors make for an ideal stage for some ingenious cat & mouse suspense games, and it’s all enhanced greatly by a terrific Jerry Goldsmith score, which evokes the scraping and clanging of medical instruments with its cold, echoing dissonances.
I like this movie, but in many ways I feel it was a missed opportunity. I think it was a huge mistake to omit the Transylvania sequence, which is arguably the most creepy, atmospheric part of Stoker's narrative -- and also sets the tone for the ensuing story (and what I'd give to have heard John Williams score those scenes). As a result, the film is rather limited in scope, and the story not as clear without setup in Dracula's castle. Had the Transylvania sequence been included in the film, I think this would have been twice as good a picture. I also felt Kate Nelligan was a bit old for the role of Mina (oops, I mean Lucy!).Monterey Jack wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:04 pmThe lavish 1979 production (from director John Badham) boasts an equally magnetic turn from Frank Langella as Dracula (bringing his popular stint on the stage to the big screen), and features a more romantic/sexy take of the Count’s nighttime predations.
Whatever its shortcomings, this film is still better than Francis Coppola's effort, or Werner Herzog's atmospheric but spare Nosferatu. Agreed, Langella is superb, and for my money still the best on-screen Dracula ever. Olivier is equally impressive, as is Plesance. The film is visually sumptuous, from Ken Adams' sets to the striking use of locations in southwest England (even if the film itself is set in northeast England!) John Williams' score is outstanding, and one of his most atmospheric -- you can tell he relished the chance to score a macabre, Gothic love story.