Today I am checking out 1992’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula which was brought to us by Francis Ford Coppola. This is one of those movies that I did not really get when I first saw it as a kid, but over time, this has become something that I really do like. Sure, it is about as artsy-fartsy as you can get. However, there is just something very captivating about this movie and to this day, it is one of my favorite Dracula movies.
How to Download Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Bram Stoker’s Dracula was released on November 13, 1992. You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. If you’re interested like movies about Dracula, check out our reviews of Blade: Trinity (2004), Van Helsing (2004), The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023). And you should also definitely see the fantastic TV show Penny Dreadful (2014-2016).
The Movie Review
My Personal Connection to Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Before I get to the movie, I have to tell you my personal experience with this movie in the early 90s. Before it came out, I was so stoked to see this, not because I was some kind of huge Dracula fan, but because I loved the Bill and Ted movies and Keanu Reeves was in this so I thought that was awesome!
I never saw the movie in the theatre and I never saw it when it initially came out to rent either. It would not be until 1994 that I would see Bram Stoker’s Dracula and in addition to Keanu Reeves being in the movie. It was the Sega Mega CD video game adaptation of this that made me even more excited to finally check it out. I was all in on video games on CD back in the day and this was one of the early games that made me a believer of the Sega CD… yeah, saying that out loud now is strange, but back then, it looked awesome.
My First Impression of Bram Stoker’s Dracula
The first time I watched Bram Stoker’s Dracula, I found it kind of boring, but I was way too young to watch a movie like this. What we have here is just a very cool and stylish retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic story. The movie looks amazing and even now, the set designs and the wardrobe look fantastic. The opening scene of Dracula freaking out and basically becoming what we know him as is so well done.
The Story and Performances
In this movie, Gary Oldman plays the role of Dracula and he is super creepy. Dracula falls in love with a woman called Mina (Winona Ryder) who is set to be married to Jonathan (Keanu Reeves), who is working as Dracula’s solicitor. Dracula heads to England where he starts a reign of terror as he tries to get Mina to be his. People find out about Dracula and Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins) is brought in to try and put a stop to the count and his evil ways!
Gary Oldman is wonderful as Dracula and one of the best portrayals of the iconic character for sure. Now, much has been said about the acting of Keanu Reeves over the years, but I have honestly never thought that it was as bad as people make out. Many are not keen on Winona Ryder’s accent either, but again, that never bothered me all that much either. I am not saying that Reeves is amazing in this role, but I never thought it was as horrific as a lot of people make out.
Final Thoughts on Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a solid retelling of the classic story and a damn fine vampire movie. I think that this has aged well and that I do appreciate this more as I have gotten older and arguably a little wiser. To be fair, I can see why some may find it boring in places and why some may be taken out of the story due to the performances of Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder so the movie is something of an acquired taste. Oh, I did finally manage to get the Sega Mega CD about a decade after I initially saw the movie…. And it certainly was not worth the wait, that game sucked.
Where to Download or Stream Bram Stoker’s Dracula
For those looking for a Bram Stoker’s Dracula download, the movie is readily available on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. Released in 1992, it continues to captivate audiences and is perfect for fans of gothic cinema. Download it today to experience one of the most stylish Dracula adaptations ever made.
