7 Respected Directors Who Did Horror
Hitchcock, Kubrick and co get bloody…
BY Jul 3rd 2009 10:10AMFILED UNDER: Features
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Francis Ford Coppola
The Reputation: While he got his start with the schlocky likes of Roger Corman’s Dementia 13, Coppola had forged ahead with a career that included Finian’s Rainbow, The Conversation and the Godfather movies.
He was largely seen more as a dramatic director, though his mob pics and Apocalypse Now had their own share of horrors.
The Horror Flick: Dracula (1992)
Coppola takes the plunge fully back into horror with this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire tale.
Gary Oldman is the immortal fang club member with a wooden Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker, Winona Ryder pouting away as Mina and Anthony Hopkins chewing scenery as Van Helsing.
The Signature Move: It’s mostly in the style and look of the film – Coppola likes warm colours in his period films and Dracula is no different.
And it also continues his love for more practical effects – albeit blended with hi-tec work.
The Critical Response: It differs – while Oldman’s turn as Dracula was largely praised, the movie was slated for some of its cheesier moments.
“After a while, the movie collapses into the usual hugger-mugger about garlic, fang marks, and, of course, a fellow named Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins), who knows everything about killing bloodsuckers,” said Entertainment Weekly.
Still, it made enough money to help Coppola save his vineyard.
Next: Friedkin
Print Comments (2)
1: ebrown2112 says
Doesn't Scorsese's "Cape Fear" count? I guess it's too early to consider "Shutter Island".
Posted: Jul 3rd 2009 // 2:09PMAlert a moderator
2: RastaFresh says
I guess Scorsese's "Cape Fear" is not included because it's a remake. The original, with Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, was made in 1962 by J. Lee Thompson. I've seen "Shutter Island" trailer. Seams excellent!
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