The 1979 DRACULA has a few strikes against it. Its Jonathan Harker is a charisma sump, its Mina is utterly unremarkable, and its effects border on the ridiculous. Nevertheless, the production has one thing going for it, and that one thing is enough to carry all the dead weight: Frank Langella.
Langella’s Dracula is neither hideous lich nor creepy eurotrash. He's supercool; a real lady killer who has charmed his way through the centuries and isn't about to be stopped by doddering old Van Helsing or his bumbling pal Harker. Don't get me wrong: Olivier is fine in his pay-the-bills portrayal of Van Helsing, and he does have a terrific moment when he almost succumbs to Dracula's will, but Langella just plain shines here.
What a pleasant surprise.
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