rec.arts.movies.past-films

Sean O'Hara wrote in
news:61ro2lF20m9j8U1@:

> Still, it's the second best adaptation of the book. (The
first is
> the 1930s Spanish-language production.)

Since that was shot at the same time, on the same set, using
the same script, as Tod Browning version, why is it better?
The English version has Bela!

Hmmm...checking Wikipedia:

In recent years this version has become more highly praised
by some than the English language version. The Spanish crew
had the advantage of watching the dailies from the English
crew's version when they came in for the evening and they
would figure out better camera angles and more effective use
of lighting in an attempt to "top" it. As a result, this
version's supporters consider it to be much more artistically
effective. The Spanish semiologist Roman Gubern considers
that the longer duration allows better development of the
plot in spite of the shortened shooting time and smaller
budget.

It still doesn't have Bela.