Unlike previous adaptations (however loose) that have either focused wholly on scares or laughs, this latest version appears to try to combine the two. Unfortunately it fails to deliver much of either. The writers have taken liberties with the story, which is frankly no bad thing (who wants to see exactly the same thing that we've seen so many times all over again?), but it feels incoherent and loose compared to the original. There's some good writing here, mostly the part of Sister Agatha (Dolly Wells), who is the real star of this show. The real problem is that this Dracula is more parody than scary, and there's no real tension in the four and a half hours of the series. The sets and settings are good, the effects and makeup are fine, and there are references and nods to other shows and films that are kind of fun to spot, but ultimately it isn't enough to take this beyond mildly entertaining.
