Bram Soker's Dracula (1992) Movie Review Pt. II: The costumes

Ok, I really wanted to cut it short, so here we go….

In retrospect, like this take on Bram Stoker's Dracula. Compared to the other variations I have seen over the years, this is pretty spot on and yet at the same time, it had it's own take, as if there were some deleted parts that Stoker wrote up in a rough draft, but decided not to use in the final. For example, while Mina doesn't have a romantic relationship with the Count in the novel, the movie just took it to a whole new level and played with the characters as if to say "This is why Dracula decided to go to England in the first place." Also, in the novel, Mina is not the one who sets him free. In fact, it's Jonathan who lands the killing blow by slitting his throat and cutting his head off right while he's struggling to get out of the box of earth. Anyway, I really think the movie did a great job telling the story. Even the special effects were top notch and original. In fact, they didn't bother to use CG but old fashioned tricks used in movie making back in the 30's-40's.


As far as the costumes were concerned. I was in love with the Victorian styles as well as the colors and symbolism. For example, the 3 green dresses that Ryder wore for Mina all represented lust and desire and sometimes represents envy. For example, the green dress she wears when she and Jonathan share their feelings towards their upcoming marriage, and her green walking gown when she meets Prince Vlad, is a good representation of lust or desire because of their blooming relationship that occurs in Jonathan's absence. the green dresses also represents envy when she interacts with Lucy. Even though they are childhood friends, Mina expresses that while she was just a teacher's aide and not as rich and popular and beautiful and her "rich" friend Lucy, it would be obvious that she would be green with envy. On the other hand, the white gowns that they wear represents purity and innocence. For example,  while Lucy is completely pure, and untouched, she is very flirtatious and free spirited; as a result, she pulls the shoulders of her white dress down to expose her "I don't care what society says, I'm free to express myself." side. Her wedding dress is also supposed to represent purity,but…well…

You can see both the green/white motif in their gowns

Another thing that I've noticed are the designs in Mina's gowns. They all have a plant based pattern such as the rosemary. After I watched the commentary, I learned that in other countries, the rosemary represents two things: Prosperity, and/or death.

The rosemary trim in Dracula's jacket

Rosemary trim all over Elisabeta's green dress

You can see the pattern in Mina's green walking jacket

In the other dresses that the actresses involved wore, were not only the boldest of red and orange, but they also had symbolism going behind it. In literature and in Western cultures, red symbolizes passion, seduction, and love. In the case of this movie, it also represents corruption. Notice the change in Lucy's wardrobe going from white to red after she is bitten and is changing into a vampire. The same goes for Mina when she is romantically involved with the count before she goes off to marry Jonathan. 

Red/orange signified corruption and seduction

I really think that the movie's costume designer, Eiko Ishioka, did a fantastic job with all of the costumes in the film. In a behind the scenes documentary of the movie, she tells the audience that she had heard of the story of Dracula, but had never seen any of the movies before! But managed to conceive all of these wonderful costumes off the top of her head as well as though history books of what was worn during the Victorian era.