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"Great Performances" Count Dracula (1977)
Director:Philip Saville
Writers:Gerald Savory (adaptation)
Bram Stoker (novel)
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Cast (Episode Cast overview, first billed only)
Louis Jourdan ... Count Dracula
Frank Finlay ... Abraham van Helsing
Susan Penhaligon ... Lucy Westenra
Judi Bowker ... Wilhelmina 'Mina' Westenra
Jack Shepherd ... Renfield
Mark Burns ... Dr. John Seward
Bosco Hogan ... Jonathan Harker
Richard Barnes ... Quincey P. Holmwood
Ann Queensberry ... Mrs. Westenra
George Raistrick ... Bowles
George Malpas ... Swales
Michael Macowan ... Mr. Hawkins (as Michael MacOwan)
Susie Hickford ... Dracula's Bride
Belinda Meuldijk ... Dracula's Bride
Sue Vanner ... Dracula's Bride
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This English version of the classic Stoker novel played on PBS in the late '70's and was one of the better shows that I remember watching on public television at that time. It has a quality that gave it more substance than other versions that I have ever seen. Even the Copella "Dracula", which is centerpieced by a fabulous performance by Gary Oldman, does not have quite the depth that this one did. Like many "Dracula" versions, they have changed the story a bit, but have kept the essential feel of piece
It might be said that Louis Jourdan is miscast here, but I would only say that from the standpoint of age (Jourdan was nearly 60). The man has an aura and appeal that draw women in. Even in his 60's when he played the villain in "Octopussy", he was still sexy in a continental playboy sort of way. If he had been maybe ten or 20 years younger he would have been better.
Susan Penhaligon and Judy Bowker will probably be familiar due to the fact that at one point in time they were the English babes of the moment. While Penhaligon is a reasonable actress she wasn't able to rise above it like Jane Seymour. In this show, both give interesting performances. Bowker has a few great moments where her character struggles with the pull she feels for Dracula and her love for her husband.
The great, but underrated Frank Finlay does a fabulous job as Van Helsing.
PBS needs to bring this production back on video or DVD. It would be interesting to see it again. While the production is filmed in as the average BBC studio style, it still has appeal.
(THIS IS ON DVD.)
