Nights of Dracula

Nights of Dracula (Spain: El Conde Dracula /Allemagne: Nachts, wenn Dracula erwacht ) is a film carried out by the Spanish scenario writer Jesus Franco, by-product by the West Germany, Spain, Italy and Liechtenstein, and left in 1970.

It is about a relatively faithful adaptation of the novel Dracula of Bram Stoker with Christopher Lee in the title role, Herbert Lom in that of professor Van Helsing and Klaus Kinski in that of Renfield.

Analyzes

Impossible not to note here the manifest preoccupation with an absolute fidelity to original literary work, so much on the plan of the scenario, which, in spite of some short cuts, follows of enough close the screen of the novel, that on that of visual, in particular the appearance of the vampire (moustache, traditional costume without cape, renovation in the course of film…). Many elements évincés by the preceding adaptations, are recreated also here (example: the three women vampires to which an infant is offered…).

Critical

Neither the modest budget, nor the talent specific to the realizer Jesus Franco can rise with the height of the ambition which this production had set: to carry out an adaptation as faithful as possible novel Dracula of Bram Stoker. Awkwardnesses of setting in scene abound and photo striking by its ugliness. One even surprises oneself to regret esthetic qualities specific to the productions Hammer, in spite of freedoms which they could take with the character. A throbbing and repetitive musical partition of Bruno Nicolai manages only seldom to create a true atmosphere. Only interpretation of Dracula by Christopher Lee, literally inhabited by its role, proves worthy of interest, except perhaps Klaus Kinski, which, incarnating a demented person, all alone contributes a notable share in what constitutes almost, to him, a film in film.

Around film

In many countries, the Nights of Dracula left accompanied by a promotional posting letting believe that the film belonged to the series produced by the English firm Hammer.
Christopher Lee that the role of Dracula such as it had incarnated it until there hardly satisfied, emitted the wish with Jesus Franco, during the turning of a preceding film, to finally carry out an adaptation of the role as described in the original novel. Taking note of this wish, Jesus Franco consulted the producer Harry Alan Towers and arranged himself to assemble the project. This one leads to the Nights of Dracula .
Klaus Kinski, which then refused with the producer Harry Alan Towers the smallest participation in a film of vampires, was seen offered a role of demented person in a scenario which proved invented of any part. Thanks to a scientist assembly, Kinski was thus found without its knowledge in the distribution of film.
Parallel to the production of the Nights of Dracula , Pere Portabella carried out Cuadecuc, to vampir (1970), semi-documentary, turned in the decorations of the film and in which one finds the majority of the actors. Less a " Making off " that a shortened second reading of film, Cuadecuc, to vampir offers a very personal outline on the conditions of turning.
the Nights of Dracula will leave to France the same year as two other titles with Christopher Lee, a mass for Dracula and the Scars of Dracula, two productions Hammer.

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