Count Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Count Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman January 18, 2024

Just like any good undead, Count Dracula is being resurrected (and/or reawakened) again by Severin, after their 2015 release of the film in 1080. This new package includes both 4K UHD and 1080 presentations, now sourced from a recently discovered negative. Severin commendably ports over almost all of the supplements from that previous release, while also offering a new bonus (1080) disc of additional bonus content, as well as a soundtrack CD.

For my thoughts on the film, please see my original Count Dracula Blu-ray review.

Count Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from Severin's 1080 disc, included in this package.

Count Dracula is presented in 4K UHD and on 1080 Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer (4K UHD) or an AVC encoded 1080p transfer (1080 Blu-ray) in 1.38:1. The back cover of this release states that in early 2023 a Madrid film archivist discovered an uncut camera negative of the film "in pristine condition and untouched for over 50 years". That "pristine condition" might be just a slight exaggeration, at least for curmudgeons (ahem), as there are still some admittedly minor signs of age related wear and tear, including a lackluster title sequence, but those very minimal qualms aside, both the 4K and 1080 presentations offered here easily trump Severin's prior release. The first thing those who had the earlier release may notice is these presentations actually have grain (the older release looked pretty seriously filtered at times), and in fact as I've mentioned in many shot on film productions offered in 4K, some viewers may actually prefer Severin's 1080 version to the 4K UHD version, since grain is quite heavy at times, and the increased resolution of the 4K version only increases that situation. That said, grain is rather nicely resolved in both presentations, though arguably a bit more subliminally tightly in the 1080 version. Both the 4K and 1080 presentations are a bit darker than Severin's older release, though they're also better suffused, with a much more commanding offering of some of the lush hues on display in some of the costumes in particular. There are some presumed day for night sequences graded in deep cobalt blues that look a bit grittier in the 4K version, and even HDR can't materially improve some deficits in shadow detail. More brightly lit scenes pop extremely well in both versions, and the daytime scenes tend to look spectacular in the 4K version. There are some occasional downturns in clarity for brief moments (pay attention during the first scene with Herbert Lom as Van Helsing for one example), another situation which is probably more noticeable in the 4K version than in the 1080 version.

Count Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Count Dracula offers DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono options in either English or Spanish. Interestingly, the Spanish track (which was not included on Severin's previous 1080 release) is noticeably louder and a bit brighter than the English track. That may make it a preferable choice for those wanting to get the full Gothic flavor of Bruno Nicolai's organ drenched score, as well as some of the ambient environmental effects like the birdsong that opens the film. That said, the English track, while sounding just slightly muffled when compared to the Spanish track, has no real problems to report, with all dialogue, effects and score presented cleanly and clearly. Optional English subtitles are available.

Count Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

See my original review for more information on the ported over supplements.

Disc One (4K UHD)

• Audio Commentary with Horror Historian David Del Valle and Maria Rohm


• Trailer (HD; 3:19)

Disc Two (1080)

• Audio Commentary with Horror Historian David Del Valle and Maria Rohm


• Illustrated 1973 Christopher Lee Audio Interview with Filmmaker Donald Glut (HD; 19:50) plays to scenes from the film.


• Beloved Count (HD; 26:35) is an interview with director Jess Franco. Subtitled in English.


• Handsome Harker (HD; 26:14) is an interview with actor Fred Williams.


• A Conversation with Jack Taylor (HD; 10:00)


• Stake Holders (HD; 7:32) is an appreciation by filmmaker Christophe Gans. Subtitled in English.


• Trailer (HD; 3:19)

Disc Three (1080)

• Dracula Barcelona (HD; 1:30:24) is a perhaps surprisingly interesting documentary on Jess Franco's work during this period, including this film's production, with quite a bit of contextual information about that "non-Jess Franco", then the dictator of Spain (who, pre-SNL's Weekend Update, was not "still dead"). Subtitled in English.


• Jess Franco's Bram Stoker's Dracula (HD; 45:21) is another appealing analysis / history lesson by Stephen Thrower.


• In the Land of Franco (HD; 6:07) is a "bonus sequence" with Alain Petit and Stephen Thrower, culled from an episode of In the Land of Franco.


• Alternate Title Sequences

  Spanish (HD; 1:40)

  
  

  German (HD; 1:36)

  
  

  French (HD; 1:23)

  
  

  Italian (HD; 1:35)

  
  Note: There is a Play All option for the above items.

Disc Four (Soundtrack CD)

Count Dracula 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

When even some of the supplements don't shirk from mentioning perceived problems with this adaptation of Bram Stoker's immortal (sorry, couldn't resist) tome, the "expectations bar" should probably be adjusted accordingly. Still, while curiously distant and lacking the visceral intensity of some other Dracula outings (including some with Lee himself), this is an interesting film, especially when contextualized as it so winningly is in some of those selfsame supplements. Severin is providing genre fans a really commendably upgraded release, with generally solid technical merits in both the 4K UHD and 1080 formats, as well as a glut of great supplements. Recommended.