Synopsis:

I've employed a wide-array of alterations in order to tighten things up & give the film a quicker pulse. I've also added tons of new sound effects to keep things from feeling so empty. There's very little of the film where new sounds aren't actively happening, but I've also worked to retain the film's feeling of creepy quietness. New opening text includes a quote from the original Bram Stoker novel & a new title card. Some scenes have been shuffled around for better pacing & to help things make a bit more sense. I've included some unique shots from the Spanish version & a couple of shots from other films to widen the visual scope. New end credits correct errors & acknowledge every actor with a speaking role. A new post-credits shot ends things with the feeling that things may not be as final as we'd thought...

Intentions:

This is part of a project that aims to bring stronger continuity, tighter editing & improved pacing to select titles from Universal's Dracula library.

Change List:

-added the fanedit.org logo. -added my fanedit production logo. -removed the original opening titles & credits. -added the 1931 Universal logo. -the track Swan Lake begins over the Universal logo. -added a quote from the original novel by Bram Stoker. -added a "A Tod Browning Film" credit. TITLE CARD- -new title card. TRAVELING- -the track Swan Lake continues as the carriage approaches. -increased the volume of the approaching carriage. -Swan Lake concludes as Carla begins speaking. AT THE VILLAGE- -added sounds for the man making some kind of wreath. -slightly darkened all outside shots so it seems to be later. -the scene gets darker as it goes, mimicking the setting sun. -added outside ambiance. (wind, birds) -shortened the shot of the carriage approaching the village. -added sounds for the ducks as the carriage approaches. -added dog barking sounds as the carriage approaches. -removed a strange, quiet tone in the background as the carriage approaches. -added horse sounds as the carriage stops. -extended the shot of women watching from a window. -added a distant horse sound as the women watch from the window. -added a horse sound as the passengers exit the carriage. -added dog barking sounds as the men unpack the carriage. -added a horse sound as the innkeeper talks to the driver. -cut the shot before the innkeeper looks to the woman crossing herself. -cut "To the Castle?" / "Yes, that's where I'm going." -the innkeeper's "Castle Dracula?" is heard over the shot of the woman. -replaced the shot of the sunset with a shot cut from later in the film. -"The sun. When it is gone, they leave their coffins" is heard over the sunset. -removed some villager dialog for a smoother transition as the carriage departs. AWAKENING- -added wind & crow sounds to the shots of the trail & Castle Dracula. -added ambiance to the catacombs. (Catacombs by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added sounds as the coffins open. -cut the cricket-coffin. -removed some whining animal sounds as we zoom in on Dracula. -added rumble as we zoom-in on Dracula. -cut the beginning of a shot to remove Bella waiting for his cue. -shortened Dracula walking up the stairs. -longer cross-fade from the catacomb stairs to the carriage. BORGO PASS- -added a tone during the cross-fade from the catacombs to the carriage. -added an establishing shot of Dracula's carriage. -added wind & cricket sounds throughout the scene. -shortened the shot of Dracula's carriage before panning to Renfield approaching. -the sounds of the approaching carriage begin sooner. -additional sounds when the driver throws Renfield's luggage. -added a horse sound as the carriage departs in a hurry. -removed a piece of audio that cuts out just as Renfield begins to say something. -shortened the shot of Dracula turning to look back at Renfield. -reversed a shot of Dracula so he looks away, matching continuity with the next shot. -shortened the shot of Renfield gathering his luggage. -added sounds as Renfield gathers his luggage. -added footstep sounds as Renfield walks to the front of the carriage. -cut Renfield handing Dracula his luggage. -added footstep sounds as Renfield enters the carriage. TRAVELING TO THE CASTLE- -cut Renfield being jostled inside the carriage. -cut Renfield seeing a bat in control of the carriage. -added wind sounds to the traveling shots. -added the sound of crows to the shot of the trail. -adjusted the gamma levels on a wide shot of the castle to reveal detail. -darkened an overly bright shot of the carriage passing over the camera. ARRIVING AT THE CASTLE- -replaced the shot of the carriage arriving with the shot from the Spanish version. --adjusted gamma levels to reveal more detail. -Renfield's "I say, Driver..." is heard over the shot from the Spanish version. -cut Renfield saying "What do you mean, going at this..." -adjusted the gamma levels on the shot of the castle door opening to reveal detail. -adjusted the gamma levels on a shot of Renfield by the carriage to reveal detail. -shortened the shot of Renfield going up the stairs towards the door. -added footstep sounds as Renfield goes up the stairs. INSIDE THE CASTLE- -added ambient sounds. (Death House by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -shortened the shot of Renfield entering the entrance hall. -shortened the shot of Renfield looking around the place. -added additional bat sounds after the shot of the bats. -reversed a shot so Renfield looks up at the bats. -added an additional shot of the bats. -cut the armadillos. -cut a quick shot of Dracula approaching the stairway. MEETING DRACULA- -shortened the shot of Renfield before he turns & spots Dracula on the stairs. -added a subtle exclamation from Renfield when he sees Dracula. -shortened the shot of Renfield before he begins up the stairs. -added a wolf howl after Dracula's "What music they make." -shortened a shot of Renfield looking through the cobwebs to remove camera wobble. -Dracula's "The spider- Spinning his web..." begins on a shot of Renfield. IN THE GUEST QUARTERS- -added fireplace & ambient sounds. (Xonthal's Tower by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -longer beat between "That's very kind of you" & "But I'm a bit worried..." -removed "I'm afraid" from "I'm afraid all your papers are in-" -adjusted the gamma levels on a shot to match the surrounding shots. -shortened the shot after Renfield hands Dracula his coat. -Renfield's "Thanks" is heard during the cut from one shot to the other. -cut a shot of Dracula walking past the fireplace, carrying Renfield's coat. -added sound effects when the door opens as Dracula puts Renfield's coat away. -cut a shot of Renfield looking around the room before going to the table. -Renfield's "...awaiting your signature" is heard over a shot of Dracula leering. -extended the shot of Dracula leering at Renfield. -cut Renfield staring into Dracula's eyes while gathering the lease papers. -shortened a shot after Dracula finishes looking at the lease. -shortened a shot of Renfield staring up at Dracula. -Dracula's "I have chartered a ship..." begins over a shot of Renfield. -added ambient sounds as Dracula sees the blood. (Death House by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added rumble as Dracula sees the crucifix. -ambient sounds & rumble end abruptly as Dracula pulls away from the crucifix. -shortened the shot of Dracula reaching for the wine bottle. -added rumble as Dracula watches Renfield drink the wine. -Dracula's "Goodnight" is heard over a shot of Renfield. -shortened the shot of Dracula leaving the room. -added a bat sound after Dracula leaves, matching Renfield's head movement. -added nocturnal ambiance as Renfield opens the balcony door. -added ambiance when the Brides arrive. (Death House by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -extended a shot of the Brides watching Renfield. -shortened a shot of Renfield in the balcony doorway. -added a tone as Renfield faints. -added rumble as Dracula signals for his Brides to leave. -longer, slower, smoother fade-out to end the scene. -added rumble as the screen fades to black. ABOARD THE DEMETER- -new card changes the ship's name from Vista to Demeter. -flipped the shot of the ship horizontally. -slight slo-mo on the shot of the ship. -shortened the shot of the ship to remove the old titles. -added stormy sea ambiance. (Ship In Storm by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added creaky boat sounds. -slowed down the stock footage of the men on the deck to look more natural. -added sounds of the storm outside to the interior shots. -added creaking sounds as the coffin lid is lifted. -slowed down the footage of the men on the deck again. -shortened the shot of Dracula walking away from Renfield. -slowed down all of the footage of men on the deck, just as before. -added rain FX to the shots of Dracula observing the deck. -shortened the shot of the ship at sea. -sounds of the storm fade-out more smoothly to end the scene. ARRIVING IN LONDON- -added dock ambiance. (Coastal Town by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added creaky boat sounds. -shortened the shot of the dock post. -crowd sounds continue as the man says "Captain: dead" instead of suddenly cutting out. -shorter beat between "tied to the wheel. / Horrible tragedy." -longer beat between "Horrible tragedy" & cutting to Renfield below deck. -added dripping sounds as the investigators search the ship. -added sounds when the hatch is lifted. IN THE NEWS- -changed the ship's name from Vista to Demeter on both of the newspaper pages. -added ambiance over the newspaper pages. (Coastal Town by Sword Coast Soundscapes) A GOOD LOOKING MAN ABOUT TOWN- -cut the original "London" title. -new "London" title. -darkened the overly brightened city establishing shot. -added street ambiance. (Evening Town by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added additional traffic sounds. -added rumble when we see Dracula's eyes. -shortened the shot of Dracula putting his hands on the flower lady. -new scream for the flower lady. -mixed the sound of the police whistle to be much less piercing & shrill. -shortened the shot of the crowd gathering around the flower lady's body. A NIGHT AT THE OPERA- -smoother musical transition from outside to inside. -shortened the shot after Dracula enters the opera house. -added a shot of the orchestra from the Spanish version. -adjusted the brightness & contrast levels on the orchestra shot. -slowed the shot of the orchestra so it doesn't look sped-up & to match the music. -shortened a shot of Dr. Seward & co. in their box seats. -added a tone as Dracula hypnotizes the usher. -added people talking in the background during the intermission. -shortened a shot, removing an error where Lucy takes her elbow off the rail twice. -quicker cadence on Dracula's "There are far worse things awaiting man than death." -extended the orchestra's final note as the scene fades-out. STALKING LUCY- -added nocturnal ambiance. -louder/enhanced ambiance on the exterior shots. -added sounds for the window opening. -nocturnal ambiance gains volume as Lucy opens the window. -added sounds as Lucy sits on the bed. -cut Lucy getting her book from the bed table. -cut Lucy reading in bed. -shortened a shot of the bat at the window. -cut two shots of the bat entering the room. -added fade-out to end the scene, instead of cross-fading into the next. -added rumble as the scene fades-out. -screen says black for a bit, suggesting the passing of time. AUTOPSY- -added a fade-in to begin the scene. -added shuffling, footstep & various clattering sounds. -cut Dr. Seward saying "Dead" after Van Helsing proclaims "Another death." -added the shot of the bite marks on Lucy's neck from the Spanish version. -extended the shot of the bite marks. -Van Helsing's "...the same two marks" is heard over the shot of the bite. -added fade-out to end the scene. RENFIELD AT THE SANITARIUM- -moved this scene to later. VAN HELSING'S FINDINGS- -fade-in on Van Helsing at his desk. -added a glass clink sound as Van Helsing taps the beaker to the vial. -added sounds for the liquid dripping into the vial. -added bubbling sounds for the chemical reaction. -Van Helsing's "White with Red centers" is heard over a shot of Dr. Sweard. -extended the shot of Van Helsing after he says "...scientific reality of today." -fade-out on Van Helsing. RENFIELD AT THE SANITARIUM- -moved this scene from earlier. -added outside ambiance (Peaceful Hamlet by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -Martin's "...ya loony" is heard during a shot of Renfield. -extended the last shot of Renfield & Martin. -fade-out of the last shot of Renfield & Martin. -screen says black for a bit, suggesting the passing of time. DR. SEWARD'S OFFICE- -fade in on Dr. Seward speaking with Van Helsing. -darkened shots with the window in the background so it seems later. -Van Helsing's "I am here to help you" is heard over a shot of Dr. Seward. -shortened a shot of Renfield & Van Helsing. -cut a shot of Dr. Seward as Van Helsing inspects Renfield's hand. -extended the shot after Renfield says "Bad dreams." -fade-out as Renfield says "Bad dreams." DRACULA RISES- -moved this scene from later. -added an establishing shot of Carfax Abbey from the Spanish version. -extended the shot of Carfax Abbey. -added wind & coastal tide sounds to the Carfax shot. -added ambience's as Dracula awakens. (Catacombs by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added sounds for Dracula's coffin opening. QUESTIONING RENFIELD- -replaced the shot of the sunset (now used earlier) with a shot from EVIL DEAD II. --re-framed, re-grained, reversed, desaturated, darkened & extended the EDII shot. -added wind & cricket sounds to the EDII shot. -moved the scene of Dracula waking up to earlier. -cut Martin's "Me? I've heard 'em before." -Martin's "He's crazy" is heard over a shot of Van Helsing & Dr. Seward. -extended the shot after Van Helsing says "Especially by night." COMMUNICATING WITH RENFIELD- -moved this scene to later in the film. TAKING MINA- -added an establishing shot of Mina's window. -extended a shot of Mina sleeping. -shortened the shot of the bat coming through the window. -added a shot of Mina sleeping. -shortened a shot of Dracula lowering his cape. -shortened a shot of Dracula before he goes to the bed. -shortened the shot of Dracula approaching the bed. -added rumble as the scene fades-out. -screen says black for a bit, suggesting the passing of time. MINA'S TALE- -longer, slower fade-in on Mina talking to John on the couch. -Mina's dialog begins while the screen is still black. -nocturnal ambiance fades in slowly throughout the scene. -quicker beat between "I felt it's breath on my face. / And then it's lips." -Mina's "And then it's lips" is heard over a shot of Van Helsing & Dr. Seward. -cut John's "It was only a dream." -Van Helsing's "...brought this dream on?" is heard over a shot of John & Dr. Seward. -re-timed Mina's "No." -Mina's "No" is heard over a shot of John & Dr. Seward. -Van Helsing's "And the face in the dream..." begins over a shot of John & Dr. Seward. -cut Mina saying how long she's had the marks on her neck. -shortened a shot of John kneeling by Mina. -cut John asking Mina "Why didn't you let us know?" -Van Helsing's "Do not excite her" is heard over a different shot. DRACULA AT THE SEWARD HOUSE- -longer beat between "What could have caused them?" & the maid announcing "Count Dracula." -cut "back" from Dracula's "It's good to see you back again." -cut Dracula's "I heard you've only just arrived." -extended a shot of Mina on the couch. -Dracula's "And you, Miss Mina" begins over the shot of Mina on the couch. -cut "a few nights ago" from Mina's "I had a frightful dream a few nights ago." -added a shot of John & Van Helsing. -longer beat between "I've had a frightful dream." / "And I can't get it out of my mind." -Dracula's "...my stories too seriously" is heard over a shot of John & Van Helsing. -quicker beat between Dracula's "...too seriously" & John's "Stories?" -shortened a shot of Dracula & Mina before Dracula responds to John. -Dracula's "I understand Mr. Harker's concern" is heard over shots of John & Van Helsing. -shortened a shot of Dracula speaking to Mina. -Mina's "But really, Father" is heard over a shot of Van Helsing looking at the mirror. -cut Dracula asking Mina if he can come back later to check on her condition. -cut the shots of Mina going up the stairs. -cut a shot of Van Helsing looking at the mirror. -shortened the shot after Dracula smacks the mirror away. -switched two reaction shots of Van Helsing after Dracula smashes the mirror. -extended a shot of Van Helsing after Dracula smashes the mirror. -shortened a shot of Dracula before he turns to leave. -shortened the shot of John before he says "A wolf?" -cut John asking what wolves & bats have to do with Dracula. -smoother cadence on John's "That's something I'd expect one of the patients here to say." -extended the shot after Van Helsing says "...people will not believe in him." MINA SEDUCED- -added ambiance. (Quiet Graveyard by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added nocturnal sounds. -shortened the shot before Mina opens the door. -added a tone when Dracula is revealed. -adjusted the gamma levels to reveal detail when Dracula covers Mina with his cape. -added rumble as Dracula covers Mina with his cape. RENFIELD AT THE SEWARD HOUSE- -cut the bat arriving -cut Renfield pleading his innocence to the bat. -cut John chasing the bat away. -shortened a shot of Renfield & John. -added a shot of Dr. Seward, cut later -shortened the shot of Dr. Seward. -Van Helsing's "And what have you to do with Dracula" begins on a shot of Dr. Seward. -replaced a shot of Dr. Seward with a shot of Dr. Seward & John. -extended the shot of Dr. Seward & John. -cut the maid's scream. --the maid's cry for "Dr. Seward" now gets the groups attention. -cut the maid running in from outside. -shortened he close-up on the maid's face. -soe of Renfield's laughter is heard over a shot of the maid. -shortened the shot before the maid faints. -added sounds as the maid hits the floor. -extended the shot of the maid on the floor. -cut Renfield crawling to the maid & preparing to do... something. THE LADY IN WHITE STRIKES- -cleaner fade-in to begin the scene. -added ambiance. (Mists of Ravenloft by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added nocturnal ambiance. -added sounds for the patrolman's bicycle. -added the sound of ground under the bike wheels. -new screams for the little girl. -shortened the shot after the patrolman gets off the bike. NEWS OF THE LADY IN WHITE- -added hospital ambiance. -cut the report saying the lady offered chocolates. -extended the shot after Martin says "Vampire." VAN HELSING COUNSELS MINA- -added outside ambiance, which slowly fades-out through the scene. (birds, breeze) -scene slowly gets darker throughout, simulating the sunset. -extended the shot before Van Helsing asks "And then, miss Mina?" -Mina's "Talk to him. Please don't let him go" is heard over a shot of Van Helsing. -added sound when Van Helsing puts his glasses on the table. -added a sound when Van Helsing turns on the lamp. DRACULA RISES AGAIN- -replaced the shot of the sunset with a shot from THE EVIL DEAD. --reframed & desaturated the ED shot. -added wind & cricket sounds to the sunset shot. -added ambiance as Dracula awakens. (Catacombs by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -cut the camera panning away from the coffin & back. -added rumble to the end of the scene. COMMUNICATING WITH RENFIELD- -moved this scene from earlier. -added fade-in to begin the scene. -added nocturnal ambiance. -added rumble as Dracula is revealed outside. -added a tone as Dracula stares at Renfield. -extended the shot of Dracula's eyes. -fade-out of the shot of Dracula's eyes. -cut Renfield begging Dracula not to make him do... something. WHAT TO DO ABOUT MINA- -added fade-in as Dr. Seward & Van Helsing come down the stairs. -added faint cricket sounds from outside. -quicker beat between "...rest by day in his native soil" / "I am convinced..." -cut "this" from Van Helsing's "this Dracula." -cut Van Helsing saying that Dracula "is no legend." -shortened a shot of Van Helsing & Dr. Seward walking across the room. -longer beat between John's "Well Dr. Seward" / "is she coming with me or not?" -Dr. Seward's "Be patient" is heard over a shot of John. -cut Van Helsing's "John, please, come here." RENFIELD IS LOOSE AGAIN- -added quiet hospital ambiance to the shot of Martin on the phone. -cut Martin's first "What?" -cut Martin telling the nurse "His pet loony is loose again!" IN THE LIBRARY- -shortened the shot of Dracula watching & listening from the doorway. -cut Renfield's "all red blood." -cut Martin saying "Now he's got me going." -added a shot of Dracula watching & listening. -Martin's "He's twisted & broken them bars..." is over a shot of Dracula. -shortened a shot of the group leaving the library. -the sound of Martin taking Renfield away is heard over a shot of Van Helsing. VAN HELSING VS. DRACULA- -quicker cadence on Dracula's "Van Helsing." -added a tone when Dracula raises his hand toward Van Helsing. -shortened a shot of Van Helsing. -

Additional Notes:

I wanted to give this film a quicker beat & fuller soundscape without seeming like a sped-up bombastic version. I worked to retain the films original feeling, while enhancing it all around. Some scenes & moments have been re-arranged to provide better pacing & to make more sense,

Other Sources:

Main- -Dracula (Universal bluray, 2017) Additional- -Dracula- Spanish version (Universal bluray, 2017) -Bride of Frankenstein (Universal bluray, 2017) -The Evil Dead (Lionsgate bluray, 2018) -Evil Dead II (Lionsgate bluray, 2018) -rain effects (FXelements.com) -35mm Course Film Grain (holygrain.com) -8mm Course Film Grain (holygrain.com) -Ambient Soundscapes (Sword Coast Soundscapes) -Sound Effects (YouTube.com)

Special Thanks:

The Scribbling Man for previewing the edit & providing feedback.