8mm Forum: Scars Of Dracula

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Posted by Bradford A Moore (Member # 426) on May 19, 2016, 10:39 AM:

I recently purchased through ebay uk a super 8 4x400ft version of the Derann release of Scars Of Dracula (1970) with Christopher Lee. While I was waiting for arrival from England I read a few past 8mm forum descriptions of this release, and had mixed feelings on what this print would be like.

I was expecting the color to be quite faded, but as I was cleaning the film, and looking through a magnifying eye piece was pleasantly surprised to see it had quite a lot color left. This is also is one of Lee's Hammer Dracula films I hadn't seen, and it had also been written as being one of his Dracula films, that you either love of hate.

My first viewing of the first reel came with joy and frustration. The color and the sound were excellent, but there was a recurring black ghostly image, that looks like a cross between a tornado twister, and human ribs if that makes any sense. It didn't appear to be moisture damage, or dirt. I tried re cleaning it any way, but it didn't go away.

I proceeded to watch the rest of the film, which on the whole was quite nice, and did hold its color quite well, except the fourth reel seemed a bit red during the night scenes, but still quite watchable. this weird image came and went through out the film but not that much over all. I believe it is a printing error, and was something that got caught in the optical printer, and that is why it seems to come and go.

Since Derann no longer exists I can't return it for another copy. I enjoyed the film on the whole, and the color was much better than expected. So I guess I can't complain too much, and I'm sure finding a replacement of this or the 5 reel version will be a even harder of a challenge. This was also my first Derann print, and has anyone else run into similar defects.

Posted by George Seaton (Member # 5402) on May 19, 2016, 11:33 AM:

Hello Bradford

I have a print of the 4 x 400' version as well. None of the black image problems you described with mine, though I seem to remember thinking the colours were a bit dark (not screened it in a very long time!).

I was told that 'Scars Of Dracula' was Derann's biggest selling Super 8mm feature and if so there should be plenty of prints out there.

I bought a lot of Derann titles over the years (either new or pre-owned) and only ever encountered a quality issue with one which was quickly rectified with a replacement reel.

Posted by Oemer Yalinkilic (Member # 86) on May 19, 2016, 02:19 PM:

As I wrote on the other topic, I watched first time Scars of Dracula on Super 8 and it was the full feature. The quality was outstanding, one of the best Super 8 prints I ever watched.
I think this is was different print as the 4x 400?

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on May 20, 2016, 06:21 AM:

Yes the full feature was a later release on LPP or Agfa 4s stock. Some had grading problems but the recent UK TV showing was a bit light in some night scenes as well. The 4 x 400ft would have had a negative made from an edited print.

Posted by George Seaton (Member # 5402) on May 20, 2016, 06:54 AM:

Hammer's day for night shots were always a bit dodgy so it may not have been a grading problem Brian!

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on May 20, 2016, 09:49 AM:

Derann thought it was, so I got the print cheap. I'm not complaining.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on May 20, 2016, 11:38 AM:

Bradford ...

I have run into that problem on a print I have as well, in my case it's the Derann Three Stooges 3Dprint of "Pardon my backfire" and it has that same terrible lab defect that, sadly, you cannot get rid of. Still a great film to watch, (concerning you're Lee film!)

Posted by Paul Spinks (Member # 573) on May 23, 2016, 10:22 AM:

I have this Derann 4X400ft feature in black and white. It actually works very well in monochrome having a classic Universal horror movie look when the villagers storm the castle that is quite atmospheric. They couldn't have sold many black and white prints of this title as you don't see them listed for sale vey much.

Posted by Guy Taylor, Jr. (Member # 786) on July 02, 2016, 02:46 PM:

My 4x400' print of SCARS OF DRACULA is on low fade color stock. Just viewed it before posting this message. The colors are perfect.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on July 02, 2016, 04:32 PM:

There was also the full uncut feature released by Derann on 3 x 600 foot spools, BTW Deranns biggest seller was Beauty and the Beast. [Wink]

Posted by David Skillern (Member # 607) on July 03, 2016, 03:45 AM:

I have a copy of the full length copy of this print and it is lovely a beautiful print and im very pleased to own it.

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on July 04, 2016, 04:23 PM:

I remember hearing at a Blackpool convention that Derek had said Scars of Dracula was Derann's best seller at around 1500 prints. This was a combined of 4x400 and full length sales added together.

Posted by Trevor Collett (Member # 5465) on July 06, 2016, 02:07 AM:

Enjoyed reading this post.

Been a while since I've put through my 4 x 400' print, but what I liked is the editing on this, and a few other Derann Hammer films (usually edited from 5 x 400' to 4 x 400'). Like DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS the Super 8 versions get to Castle Dracula a lot quicker than the full-length versions! And as far as I can tell SCARS is uncut in terms of censorship.

Color is exceptional (no fade at all over the last 30+ years) although the print is a little dark, but still clear. And I find it unusual for an earlier Derann UK release to carry the MPAA R rating rather than the BBFC X card. Derann even went to the trouble of moving the R from the end to the front of the film.

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on July 06, 2016, 01:21 PM:

Some owners of the 4 x 400' may be interested to know, if they haven't heard, that the 400' of 'Scars' features quite a lot footage not in the 4 x 400'. This mostly (perhaps entirely) features the girl that works in the inn, and her becoming a victim of Dracula.

I envy George's amazingly good fortune in only ever having a quality problem with one Derann reel over the years. I must have had problems with over 30, but they did release a lot of product that appealed to me!

Posted by George Seaton (Member # 5402) on August 10, 2016, 05:49 AM:

Hello Adrian, thanks for the heads up, might be worth tracking down the 400' edition to see if the additional footage can be dropped into the feature.

Maybe I was lucky but the only issue I ever had with a Derann print was out of sync sound on the last part of the 4 x 400' 'Carry On Abroad'.

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