Dan Curtis’ Dracula (1974) starring Jack Palance, Simon Ward, Nigel Davenport
Jack Palance stars as Count Dracula in this newly-restored and terrifying adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire legend written by sci-fi/horror master Richard Matheson and produced by the legendary Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows).
In short, Dan Curtis’ Dracula is an excellent adaptation of the stage version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Jack Palance does an incredible job of playing the evil Count Dracula. And gives him a small dollop of humanity, as well. The rest of the cast also do excellent jobs, and the costuming, sets, etc. are all gorgeous. This may well be my favorite Dracula film, clearly as engaging as Bela Lugosi’s Dracula. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and hope that you do as well.
Editorial review of Dan Curtis’ Dracula courtesy of Amazon.com
Jack Palance, Nigel Davenport, Fiona Lewis. Palance plays an exceptionally evil Dracula in this made-for-TV version of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale drawn from the great macabre collection of Dan Curtis. The familiar story gets a fresh twist as the Count leaves Transylvania to travel to England in search of a long lost love. 1973/color/111 min/NR/fullscreen.
Cast of characters
- Jack Palance (Sudden Fear, The Silver Chalice)… Dracula
- Simon Ward (The Three Musketeers 1973) … Arthur
- Nigel Davenport (The Island of Dr Moreau) … Van Helsing
- Pamela Brown (Lust for Life) … Mrs. Westenra
- Fiona Lewis (Dr. Phibes Rises Again) … Lucy
- Penelope Horner (Half a Sixpence) … Mina
- Murray Brown … Jonathan Harker
- Virginia Wetherell (The Crimson Cult, Dr. Who: The Daleks) … Dracula’s Wife
- Barbara Lindley … Dracula’s Wife
- Sarah Douglas (Return of the Swamp Thing) … Dracula’s Wife
Secondary characters
- George Pravda (Doctor Who: The Deadly Assassin) … Innkeeper
- Hana Maria Pravda … Innkeeper’s Wife
- Reg Lye (Fathom) … Zookeeper
- Fred Stone … Priest
- Roy Spencer … Whitby Inn Clerk
- John Challis … Stockton-on-Tees Clerk
- Nigel Gregory … Midvale Shipping Clerk
- John Pennington … Richmond Shipping Clerk
- Martin Read … Coastguard
- Gita Denise … Madam Kristoff
