Today we look at French actor Louis Jourdan as the Count in the fine 1977 BBC production of "Dracula."
This is one of the first times an actor has made me think about the line, "And please, leave here some of the happiness that you bring." For of course this is exactly right-- Dracula is charming, here an elegant Continental of exquisite breeding and education. This is Dracula was an ultra-esthete. He offers fine wine, speculates on the origins of names, muses on the habits of englishmen and explains the rules of the castle with a certain amused detachment-- all told, there is nothing about this man that suggests that, later, he will become a beast, and will destroy the happiness you bring-- that because of him you will "leave it here."
A fine performance.
I first saw this on PBS in Detroit in the late seventies, and watched it every Halloween thereafter for years. It was the first time I realized how erotic the story is. Wonderful picture!
ReplyDeleteMr. Jourdan has said this was his favourite role to play & that it was so different from everything else he ever did.
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