Deborah Jones
In Motion Staff Writer
This debut feature film by director Gary Shore brings familiar faces in a unique take on the story of Dracula as told from the perspective of his son Ingeras (Art Parkinson).
As the leader of his people, Vlad the Impaler (Luke Evans) is determined to protect them from the ever-present threat posed by the Sultan of Turkey (Dominic Cooper). As events spiral beyond his control, Vlad the Impaler makes a decision that will change the course of his life.
Although the story is set in Transylvania, “Dracula Untold” was filmed in Ireland, home of Irish novelist Bram Stoker, author of the original “Dracula.” Stoker based his timeless tale on the historically chilling story of Vlad the Impaler, a 15th century Romanian nobleman from the House of Draculesti or Dragon. His stories of brutality include impaling victims on spikes and drinking blood, and were eventually connected with vampirisim in “Dracula” by Bram Stoker, where the association remains to this day.
The movie takes advantage of Northern Ireland’s beautiful mountain scenery, with its director cleverly using stark contrasts in color to portray the rugged terrain. A musical score by Grammy and Emmy-nominated composer Ramin Djawadi is on par with scores he’s produced for movies such as “Clash of the Titans” and “Iron Man” and the blockbuster cable TV series “Game of Thrones.”
The decision to cast Evans in the role of Vlad the Impaler proves to be a wise one. His experience in previous action roles such as Apollo in “Clash of the Titans” and Owen Shaw in “Fast & Furious 6” makes him an excellent choice to bring to life the story of Vlad the Impaler.
The unexpected selfless and romantic nature of the characters makes this film a surprising story of love and sacrific, and the film leaves open the possibility of a sequel.
With a run time of 92 minutes, the movie is fast-paced and the action scenes are very dramatic. For a viewer willing to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the story, watching “Dracula Untold” is an interesting way to spend 90 minutes.
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Cast: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, and Art Parkinson.
Director: Gary Shore
Writers: Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless
Synopsis: Luke Evans stars in this dark fantasy action film that tells the untold story of the origin of Count Dracula. Faced with a difficult situation, the warrior known as the legendary Vlad the Impaler makes a difficult decision that forever alters his life.