Posted this on the "problems thread" but, on second thought, decided it deserved it's own announcement.:

At the end of the film neither Renfield nor Dracula scream during their deaths. Universal used the old soundtrack! All you hear now is one short gasp from Drac. Unbelievable.

p.s. apparently, it's also missing atmospheric wind and bat sounds that were uncovered in the previous DVD release.

p.p.s. And, yes, the screaming of Ren and Drac can be heard on track 2...BUT, it's accompanied by Phillip Glass.

Wasn't this covered here?

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=360692

Yeah, that's the first thing I said (that I posted it in the generic "problem" thread), but I thought it should have it's own title in order to bring it to more people's attention.

Well, that would explain the screaming.

I agree. Laugh Out Loud...I don't abbreviate.

Just noticed that Universal wrote this on the back of the cardboard sleeve of the DVD:

"Newly remastered audio track for maximim clarity."

I haven't witnessed such lies since our present government.

Looks like one of the most promising and exciting releases this year is turning out to have an abundance of problems. First the loose discs (thankfully I didn't have this problem), and now the crappy sound. Does anyone know why they would put inferior sound in for the Dracula discs? Does this save money somehow, even though they have a perfectly good soundtrack they can use?

I'll try to explain this convoluted screw-up as simply as possible.

Apparently, when the first DVD of Dracula was released several years ago, there was a music cue missing in the concert hall scene that film buffs rightfully wanted restored. What I think happened is: Universal restored the music cue in this new Legacy release simply by using the previous dirty, pop-ridden soundtrack from the previous VHS release in the eighties. Now, Universal has two incomplete versions of the Dracula soundtrack that they're batting back-and-forth between DVD releases.

Just be glad you've got these wonderful movies on DVD! I noticed the lack of screams too, but it certainly doesn't ruin the entire movie.

No, but don't get rid of your first release DVDs is the point. This is not the first time on this format. The first time was better executed .

So happy I have the original set....

Amen, brutha!

Two screams means better executed? Not in my book. These Legacy sets are great and affordable to everyone.

Universal! Universal! Rah! Rah! Rah!

You are a complete fool, aren't you? You need so much attention that you needed to continue this debate in two threads. Why not open a third one? Then you can feel really important.

While I personally think the audio issue with Dracula is very annoying,(restored after almost 70 years, now gone again!) I'm otherwise very happy with the presentation and pricing of these discs.

Everything seems to work well on my Dracula DVD (sans screams, of course), but disc 2 has a problem with the trailers. Neither one plays all the way through and I was wondering if it's my disc only?

Just spreading the truth, Mr. Universal.

Speaking of Universal releases that were better the first time around, Scarface CE in 1998 had more screams during the chainsaw scene than the 2003 version.

Yeah don't get rid of the first release. That way you can have two copies of the movie that are both screwed up, but in a different place on the soundtrack.

Neither mistake in sound on either version ruins the movie. Absolutely no reason to pass on the Legacy collection because the screams are missing. Maybe a third version will come out some day with all the minor mistakes corrected, but until then the Legacy Dracula set for $20 is the way to go.

Why in hell would I want to get rid of the original pressings of the "Monsters" DVDs & buy these new ones? Oh I know, so I can watch the "Van Helsing" stuff. That's really MUST SEE stuff!!!!!! Give me a break!!!!!!! Universal once again shows that it can't find its derriere with both hands. I really hope that a competent management is put in place by NBC/GE ASAP!!!!

I wouldn't say they ruin the movie, but the first version has many more things going for it. Screams aside, the sound is clearer and many sound effects, that cannot be heard on the new release, ring through vibrantly on the original DVD release. Though neither one is perfect, the first wins hands down. That said, if you don't have this version, the Legacy Dracula is still a good purchase, yes.

House of Dracula. Worth the $19.99 just to add that movie to your collection for me. I can understand wanting to keep the old versions, but I can't see any Universal Horror fan passing on the chance to pick up a movie never before on DVD.

Watched Dracula tonight and the sound is horrible. I had to crank up my receiver just to make out what they were saying, and most of the sound was hissing and popping. I was relieved to find the 5.1 audio mix which has great music, however the lack of screams was pretty annoyying and took away ALOT from the movie. I did switch to the 3rd track to hear the groans. But still, this is a pretty bad move overall for Universal to do this. Trying to cut corners and be lazy when there is a perfectly good track they can use.