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Dracula Vs.
Frankenstein DVD released: February 27, 2001 Approximate running time: 102 minutes Aspect ratio: Full Frame 1.33:1 Rating: R Sound: Dolby Digital Mono DVD Release: Troma Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC Retail Price: $19.95 Reviewed by: Michael Elliott on February 28, 2001 |  |
| Quick links: [video] [audio] [extras] [overall] |
| The Film |
| From what I
can remember, it must have been ten years ago when I walked into the local
video store to browse the horror section. Every title I looked at just slipped from my mind until I saw
Al Adamson’s Dracula vs. Frankenstein. Seeing these two classic monsters fight one another was
enough for me to rent the film and I remember liking it. Now, Troma has released this film onto DVD and for me, this
film was certainly high on my want list.
After a ten year hiatus from the film, I was very curious to see if
I’d like the film the same.
In an old
cemetery somewhere in Southern California lies the body of the
Frankenstein monster (John Bloom).
Also in town just happens to be Count Dracula (Zandor Vorkov)
who has big plans for the monster.
After digging up the body, Count Dracula pays a visit to Dr.
Frankenstein (J. Carroll Nash).
There, the count tells the doctor about his plan and insists
that the doctor bring the monster back to life.
Also on hand is Dr. Frankenstein’s assistant, Groton (Lon
Chaney, Jr.). When the monster comes back to life the plan begins. Not only is Dracula wanting the use the monster but Dr. Frankenstein has revenge in his blood as well. Everything seems to be going fine until Dracula tries to stick his teeth in the wrong woman’s neck. This woman just happens to catch the monsters eye, and like all friendships, the boys end up fighting over her. How touching and emotional. Dracula vs. Frankenstein is probably the king of all “Drive-In Films”. A lot of people bash the film because it seems like there were clips from different films thrown together to make this one. Well, that is the case here and that just adds to the camp feeling you get while watching the film. While this film is in no way a classic, you can’t help but fall for the film. What other film has hippies, acid trips, murders, bikers, old horror stars and two classic monsters. A lot of people poke fun at Al Adamson but I personally think the man had a keen talent. He made films over the top so badly, that the audience just had to fall for them. He throws everything into a movie (even if it shouldn’t be there) just so the viewer will have some sort of entertainment. That entertainment might come in the form of a jump or a laugh, but that’s still entertainment. I am not calling this a good film, I know many people will hate it or just won’t get it but Dracula vs. Frankenstein kept me entertained a lot better than most of the junk Hollywood throws in our face. It’s certainly fun seeing Nash and Chaney on film and it’s fun seeing Dracula rip the monster apart. While on the hokey side, the ending is very fun to watch and the way the monsters get killed is wonderful. Don’t take the film too serious and you’ll find yourself liking it. I certainly did. |
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| Video | 4/5 | |
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| Audio | 4/5 | |
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| The sound is Dolby Digital Mono and is brilliant. For a Mono soundtrack your speakers will be packing a very good punch. The spoken word and music score is crystal clear. |
| Extras | 3.5/5 | |
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| If you’re a fan of this film then the extras here will have you applauding Troma. While most are just carry-overs from the Roan Group laserdisc, there is some extra stuff here. For starters, you get a theatrical trailer and a television spot. Up next is a photo gallery full of very nice photos including some classic ones of Lon Chaney, Jr. Also on hand is a 8mm clip of the church at the film climax. This was shot by Sam Sherman as test footage. While nothing great, it’s still nice to have this. Up next is a small interview/documentary called, “Producing Schlock”. Here Sam Sherman is interviewed and talks about some of his films with Al Adamson. This here is very interesting and I wish it went on a little longer. Up next you get four deleted scenes, including an alternate ending. This alternate ending is very strange and I’m sure fans would have been disappointed if it was used in the film. Another one of the deleted scenes is a longer version of the Forrest Ackerman/Dracula scene. Also, there is a new interview with Ackerman done by Sherman. This here is certainly a high point of the DVD. You also get an introduction to the film by Sam Sherman, which is a wonderful setup to the film. Finally, you get an audio commentary with Sam Sherman that is a must listen. Sherman seems to remember making this movie as if it were yesterday. He goes into great detail about the making of this film, which was actually shot during three different years. He tells some loving stories about Adamson and Chaney that will entertain their fans. |
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| Overall | 3.5/5 | |
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| The movie is certainly “love it or hate it”, but if you actually “get” the film, you will keep a place in your heart for it. My hats off to Troma for giving this film a wonderful treatment on DVD. This again shows that smaller companies care for what the fans might want. If the bigger studios would do this than DVD fans around the world would no longer have a reason to get upset. The picture is the best the film will ever look and the audio track is wonderful. The extras alone are worth the price of admission, especially the wonderful commentary by Sherman. If Troma ever gets more of these Al Adamson films, lets pray that Sherman will do the commentaries. |
| Film Rating | DVD Rating | |||
| Director: | Al Adamson |
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| Writer: | William Pugsley & Sam Sherman |
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| Released: | 1971 |
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| Cast: |
Lon
Chaney, Jr., J.
Carroll Nash, Regina
Carol, Greydon
ClarK, Russ
Tamblyn |
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