''Dracula'' (1973)

By Crusader1307

 American Director, Producer and Writer Dan Curtis was best known for His 1960s Gothic-Horror ''Soap Opera ''Dark Shadows''. A ''maven'' in the genre of made for television Horror, He produced MANY such ''terror pieces'' well into the 1970s (and a few beyond). One of His best works was His interpretation of Bram Stoker's 1897 Novel ''Dracula''. Starring Western ''Baddie'' – Jack Palance, the 1973 film (made for The CBS Network), was nominated for several Emmy Awards and also served to revolutionize the Public perception on one of Horror History's most iconic ''Dark Figures''. It's first point, ''Dracula'' was finally given a ''Origin Story'' (of sorts) and to the second point – made ''The Dark Prince'' a tragic figure, motivated by love (centuries lost). Following the Stoker Novel fairly well, will all the familiar characters – Curtis meshed the Historic Dracula (Vlad Tepes) with the fictional character. A once proud Prince of Wallachia, His love dies while away fighting The Turkish Hordes that invaded His Nation. Although not quite ''spelled out'' – it is assumed He cursed God as a result, and was ''turned into'' a Vampire – supernaturally. Wishing to experience the ''Modern World'' (in London), Dracula is vanquished by professor Van Helsing – by a spear to the chest (ala the real ''Impaler''). Director Frances Ford Coppula often credited His ''love'' of The Curtis version as the template for His later big budget Epic of the same name in 1992 (with gary Oldman). Well received and acted, Curtis' version played several times on American Television and was released as a stand lone movie Internationally. Still available on a wide variety of mediums, ''Dan Curtis' Dracula'' is an excellent version to watch!