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The Romance of Dracula; a personal Journey of the Count on celluloid
Romance is a labour of love for the films based on Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. From Max Schreck (1922) to Marc Warren (2006). Fourteen reviews of fourteen classic movies. The epilogue shows reviews of movies in which Dracula has made a token appearance.
- GenresNonfiction
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 13, 2011
The Romance of Dracula is a book I want to describe as a survival guide. It includes quotes, reviews, details synopses of not only the original novel Dracula, but a number of movies based on the vampire classic. When I read his references to PLAYS as well, I was simply smitten. According to Charles E. Butler, he wrote this title in order to explore why he loves the Dracula genre. I personally fell for him when he confessed that vampire literature comprises one-third of his bookshelf.
As usual, I will get straight to why I loved reading this book. First, it reminded me how sad it is that there are still so many vampire genre fans that have not read Dracula. If you read this book, be careful, because at some point in the detailed review of Bram Stoker's classic, you will want to read the book if for no other reason than to compare it to the movies. I'll talk about a moment I had with this book that made me feel the need to re-read Dracula. For some reason, the following author quote did it:
"...Dracula will never be as one remembers from his literary beginnings or what the reader can recall whilst growing up. Film and book are two very different mediums, but Dracula is one of the few characters on the screen to always be matched with the name of Bram Stoker."
This quote had me trying to accurately describe Dracula from the first reading- all those years ago. One of the images that flooded my mind was "The Count" and his "Bah-ha ha." The sesame street Count. Yes, the bat...in the cape...and the scary castle... that teaches kids to count.
Okay, now that that's over with... The writer has done something very special here. His opening was my favorite part of the book, and his review of the original novel is breathtaking. It sweeps you up with a fervor. With a series of Dracula quotes and subsequent musings that are at times jaw dropping and at others, down right entertaining. If you are a fan of the Count, you probably won't always agree with Butler's point of view, but his insights are worth reading.This is a rare gem for any fan of Dracula horror flicks, all things vampires, and lovers of the original Dracula that started it all.
I'll end with my personal favorite except from this book:
You think to baffle me, you - with your pale faces all in a row like sheep in a butcher's? You shall be
sorry yet, each one of you! You think you have left me without a place to rest; but I have more. My revenge is just begun! I spread it across centuries, and time is on my side. Your girls that you all love are mine already; and through them you and others shall yet be mine - my creatures, to do my bidding and to be my jackals when I want to feed. Bah!"
The only addition to that line of dialogue could be a resounding Bwah ha ha! of laughter as the Count twiddles the end of his waxen moustache with a white-gloved thumb and forefinger. As in the better translations on the screen, Dracula takes his food by the sheer force of his personality and, in the novel, he is never described as being sexy or even physically attractive to women. Jonathon Harker had already unkindly testified to his halitosis and, further in the novel, Mina Harker (Charles E. Butler)
As usual, I will get straight to why I loved reading this book. First, it reminded me how sad it is that there are still so many vampire genre fans that have not read Dracula. If you read this book, be careful, because at some point in the detailed review of Bram Stoker's classic, you will want to read the book if for no other reason than to compare it to the movies. I'll talk about a moment I had with this book that made me feel the need to re-read Dracula. For some reason, the following author quote did it:
"...Dracula will never be as one remembers from his literary beginnings or what the reader can recall whilst growing up. Film and book are two very different mediums, but Dracula is one of the few characters on the screen to always be matched with the name of Bram Stoker."
This quote had me trying to accurately describe Dracula from the first reading- all those years ago. One of the images that flooded my mind was "The Count" and his "Bah-ha ha." The sesame street Count. Yes, the bat...in the cape...and the scary castle... that teaches kids to count.
Okay, now that that's over with... The writer has done something very special here. His opening was my favorite part of the book, and his review of the original novel is breathtaking. It sweeps you up with a fervor. With a series of Dracula quotes and subsequent musings that are at times jaw dropping and at others, down right entertaining. If you are a fan of the Count, you probably won't always agree with Butler's point of view, but his insights are worth reading.This is a rare gem for any fan of Dracula horror flicks, all things vampires, and lovers of the original Dracula that started it all.
I'll end with my personal favorite except from this book:
You think to baffle me, you - with your pale faces all in a row like sheep in a butcher's? You shall be
sorry yet, each one of you! You think you have left me without a place to rest; but I have more. My revenge is just begun! I spread it across centuries, and time is on my side. Your girls that you all love are mine already; and through them you and others shall yet be mine - my creatures, to do my bidding and to be my jackals when I want to feed. Bah!"
The only addition to that line of dialogue could be a resounding Bwah ha ha! of laughter as the Count twiddles the end of his waxen moustache with a white-gloved thumb and forefinger. As in the better translations on the screen, Dracula takes his food by the sheer force of his personality and, in the novel, he is never described as being sexy or even physically attractive to women. Jonathon Harker had already unkindly testified to his halitosis and, further in the novel, Mina Harker (Charles E. Butler)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2011
The Romance of Dracula
By
Charles E. Butler
I was very pleased when I was asked to read and review The Romance of Dracula by Charles E. Butler. I thought I knew everything there was to know about Dracula, but after reading this book, I was surprised and pleased to find out there was more to discover. A tremendous amount of research and work into making The Romance of Dracula. I was totally amazed and beyond impressed with the outcome. Anything a person wants to know about Dracula, to who has played him over the years to each and every movie about him, is all in The Romance of Dracula.
As quoted in the book: "Each chapter is designed to be read in two parts. Part one consists of a scene-by-scene synopsis of the film under scrutiny; this can be consulted, in many cases, as the movie unfolds. Part two is an honest review of the same film; i.e. - Chapter One deals with F W Murnau's silent classic Nosferatu (1922) starring Max Schreck." This statement is vital to the story in order for the reader to understand the events that are unfolding in the book. I found it to be a breath of fresh air because I have never come across this style of writing to make the story understandable. Yet another surprise by Charles E. Butler.
When we hear the name Bram Stoker, we automatically think of Dracula. But what do people really know about Bram Stoker other than the fact he created Dracula? Do we know what he went through in order to bring Dracula into our world? There is so much details based on fact in this book, I could never do it justice in this review.
If you are interested in Dracula or vampires in general then The Romance of Dracula by Charles E. Butler is highly recommended! I feel you would not have to search any further to appease your curiosity. To write a review that does this book total justice would be almost impossible because from page one it captures the reader and takes them into the world of DRACULA, the very name that causes nightmares in some, and erotic curiosity in others.
I recommend this book 100% and give it Five Stars *****
Reviewed By
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/
By
Charles E. Butler
I was very pleased when I was asked to read and review The Romance of Dracula by Charles E. Butler. I thought I knew everything there was to know about Dracula, but after reading this book, I was surprised and pleased to find out there was more to discover. A tremendous amount of research and work into making The Romance of Dracula. I was totally amazed and beyond impressed with the outcome. Anything a person wants to know about Dracula, to who has played him over the years to each and every movie about him, is all in The Romance of Dracula.
As quoted in the book: "Each chapter is designed to be read in two parts. Part one consists of a scene-by-scene synopsis of the film under scrutiny; this can be consulted, in many cases, as the movie unfolds. Part two is an honest review of the same film; i.e. - Chapter One deals with F W Murnau's silent classic Nosferatu (1922) starring Max Schreck." This statement is vital to the story in order for the reader to understand the events that are unfolding in the book. I found it to be a breath of fresh air because I have never come across this style of writing to make the story understandable. Yet another surprise by Charles E. Butler.
When we hear the name Bram Stoker, we automatically think of Dracula. But what do people really know about Bram Stoker other than the fact he created Dracula? Do we know what he went through in order to bring Dracula into our world? There is so much details based on fact in this book, I could never do it justice in this review.
If you are interested in Dracula or vampires in general then The Romance of Dracula by Charles E. Butler is highly recommended! I feel you would not have to search any further to appease your curiosity. To write a review that does this book total justice would be almost impossible because from page one it captures the reader and takes them into the world of DRACULA, the very name that causes nightmares in some, and erotic curiosity in others.
I recommend this book 100% and give it Five Stars *****
Reviewed By
Nora Barteau
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/
May 30, 2013
Dracula has had so many differing screen personas over the years that chronicling them can seem a daunting task, but Charles Butler is up to the challenge. Narrowing his focus to those movies directly inspired by the original story makes for a promising start. After summarizing both Bram Stoker's novel and its earliest reinterpretation, the Hamilton Deane play, Butler dives right in, exploring each "face" of Dracula ranging from the familiar (Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee) to the romantic (Frank Langella and Louis Jourdan) to the creepy (Max Schreck and Klaus Kinski), and even to the obscure (Atif Kaptan).
Balancing critical analysis with clever commentary and personal experience, the book makes for both an informative and entertaining read. By his own admission, Butler favors Christopher Lee as the definitive screen Dracula, and there is a fair case for it. To date, Lee has played Dracula more times on the screen than any other actor, period, and two chapters of the book are devoted to him: one for his unforgettable debut Dracula performance in Hammer's HORROR OF DRACULA, and the other for Jess Franco's Spanish variation, COUNT DRACULA, in which Lee's appearance and characterization is more in line with Stoker's original conception.
Other Dracula films do get a mention, and one hopes that Butler will provide more detailed thoughts on the various sequels, spin-offs, and the rest of the vampire movie sub-genre in future review books. A must-have for any Dracula fan's collection!
Balancing critical analysis with clever commentary and personal experience, the book makes for both an informative and entertaining read. By his own admission, Butler favors Christopher Lee as the definitive screen Dracula, and there is a fair case for it. To date, Lee has played Dracula more times on the screen than any other actor, period, and two chapters of the book are devoted to him: one for his unforgettable debut Dracula performance in Hammer's HORROR OF DRACULA, and the other for Jess Franco's Spanish variation, COUNT DRACULA, in which Lee's appearance and characterization is more in line with Stoker's original conception.
Other Dracula films do get a mention, and one hopes that Butler will provide more detailed thoughts on the various sequels, spin-offs, and the rest of the vampire movie sub-genre in future review books. A must-have for any Dracula fan's collection!
November 20, 2017
"There was one great tomb more lordly than all the rest; huge it was, and nobly proportioned. On it was but one word, DRACULA'
So begins 'The Romance of Dracula' where author Charles Butler cordially invites his readers to reminisce, renew & even in places rethink our eternal love for the on screen Count.
All of the big screen adaptations you would expect to be featured are present including Nosferatu (1922), Dracula (1931), Dracula (1958) and of course the 1992 Bram Stoker's Dracula starring Gary Oldman. However the author is not content with just the big players but like all good vampire hunters he digs a little deeper and reviews many other versions starring the likes of Frank Langella, Klaus Kinski, Atif Kaptan and Louis Jordan.
Mr Butler not only cleverly interweaves facts regarding background and production in amongst his reviews but gives a clear, lengthy synopsis of each film in detail. This ensures that even if the reader has not seen the movie in question, they may still enjoy and understand it's review.
Sitting alongside each review is a drawing of each Count, another personal touch by the author and it gives the books it's own unique flavour.
With plenty of facts to sink your teeth into and reviews that pull no punches in their honesty, this reader believes Mr Butler's book is one of the best out there for any Dracula fan.
So begins 'The Romance of Dracula' where author Charles Butler cordially invites his readers to reminisce, renew & even in places rethink our eternal love for the on screen Count.
All of the big screen adaptations you would expect to be featured are present including Nosferatu (1922), Dracula (1931), Dracula (1958) and of course the 1992 Bram Stoker's Dracula starring Gary Oldman. However the author is not content with just the big players but like all good vampire hunters he digs a little deeper and reviews many other versions starring the likes of Frank Langella, Klaus Kinski, Atif Kaptan and Louis Jordan.
Mr Butler not only cleverly interweaves facts regarding background and production in amongst his reviews but gives a clear, lengthy synopsis of each film in detail. This ensures that even if the reader has not seen the movie in question, they may still enjoy and understand it's review.
Sitting alongside each review is a drawing of each Count, another personal touch by the author and it gives the books it's own unique flavour.
With plenty of facts to sink your teeth into and reviews that pull no punches in their honesty, this reader believes Mr Butler's book is one of the best out there for any Dracula fan.
September 6, 2015
This was a passion project, which I can respect, but I am not sure that it was necessary. The author goes through the Dracula movies, giving a synopsis and then a review, though sometimes reviews get into the synopses and vice versa.
It is not scholarly, and it is not as complete as it could be because he assumes that anyone reading the book will have already seen these movies. For me the most interesting parts were the movies I have not seen. It could have used a sharp editor to give some focus.
One of the more interesting things was that Butler is also an artist and includes sketches of each Dracula at the beginning of each chapter. The first one, of Max Schreck's Count Orlock, is especially good.
It is not scholarly, and it is not as complete as it could be because he assumes that anyone reading the book will have already seen these movies. For me the most interesting parts were the movies I have not seen. It could have used a sharp editor to give some focus.
One of the more interesting things was that Butler is also an artist and includes sketches of each Dracula at the beginning of each chapter. The first one, of Max Schreck's Count Orlock, is especially good.
June 30, 2012
Great journey through the Dracula film genre.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews