Vampires have always made waves when it comes to movies, so much so that Dracula has been adapted for the big and small screen more than any other literary character. According to the Guinness Book of Records, in 2015, Bram Stoker’s novel (1897) was depicted in a total of 538 films.
And, although many believe that Dracula gained popularity as a screen character after being portrayed by Béla Lugosi in Dracula (1931), in reality the character had already made seven appearances up to that point, the first in Den Dødes Halsbaand (something like “The Necklace of the Dead”), a Danish production from 1910.
Dracula’s top 10 vampire movies
With so many adaptations spread across the world – and with new vampire storylines released even today – the debate over which cinematic works best represent him is nearly endless.
Count Dracula, with his Machiavellian blend of charm and sex appeal, has been portrayed in a variety of film genres, from horror to comedy, each offering its own unique take on the literary icon. So without further ado, these are 10 of the best Dracula movies:
1. Count Dracula (1977)
This BBC adaptation closely follows the story of the book which is unusual when it comes to this character. Except that Dracula is portrayed not as an old man but as the valiant young Louis Jourdan, the script is nearly identical to the source. It was first broadcast on British television in its full 155-minute glory and was eventually split into a mini-series for further broadcast.
2. Nosferatu (1922)
Despite being advertised as “a low-budget film made by Germans for German audiences”, and despite not actually being about Count Dracula, this film has managed to evoke more fear than any modern horror could hope for – since it it is, to this day. , probably the most important horror film ever made. Max Schreck plays Count Orlok in a terrifying performance, magnified by silence and black and white camera angles, creating what can only be described as a nightmarish scenario.
3. Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
This meta-horror comedy is actually a film about a Dracula film, based on rumors about Max Schreck, which suggest that the Nosferatu star was actually a vampire. Written as a documentary and starring Willem Dafoe, the film explores a fictional storyline about the filming of the 1992 film, as the cast and crew begin to disappear and begin to suspect Schreck.
4. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Considered the most faithful Hollywood adaptation of the book, this film directed by Francis Ford Coppola is, in large part, an homage to cinema itself and not to the vampire lore per se. Played by Gary Oldman, the Count falls in love with Mina Harker (Winona Ryder), in a confusing narrative that remains memorable for her eccentricity, from the choice of costumes to the unique practical effects and terrifying set pieces.
5. Dracula: The Prince of Darkness (1966)
Hammer Studios’ Dracula, played by Christopher Lee, is resurrected with the blood of an Englishman and returns in full force to strike fear into all who cross his path. While the studio has made other films for the franchise, this is the most gruesome adaptation and closest to the descriptions in the books, even including the scene where Dracula makes a victim drink his body’s blood.
6.Dracula (1979)
Universal’s remake stars Frank Langella as a handsome earl looking for love, not just an evil bloodsucker. The actor accepted the role on the condition that there were no depictions of blood-dripping fangs, making this adaptation more bland and showing a more human and incoherent version of the character. However, praised for its production, set design and cinematography, the tale does not forget how atrocious Count Dracula is.
7. Hotel Transylvania (2012)
An entirely different take on the story, this animated comedy follows a Dracula, originally voiced by Adam Sandler, who opens a hotel to house the world’s most infamous monsters. When the vampire invites his creepy friends to celebrate the 118th birthday of his beloved daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez), they are interrupted by the fortuitous arrival of the young human Jonathan (Andy Samberg), who promptly steals the young vampire’s heart.
8. Dracula, The Devil’s Profile (1968)
The next film in the Hammer franchise features the return of Christopher Lee in a non-cliché story. Monsignor Ernest Mueller (Rupert Davies) takes it upon himself to dispel the fears of a small village, which refuses to attend church mass because the shadow of Dracula’s castle brushes against it. Mueller then goes up to the castle to exorcise him, but it only triggers Dracula’s resurrection – in an extremely complicated way, to put it mildly.
9.Dracula (1931)
The long periods of near total silence make this film unique and unsettling for most modern viewers, which is why it is perhaps considered the most iconic Dracula film. The surprising details added by the director, Tod Browning, gave rise to the identity of the vampire as many know him today: with black hair, a clean-shaven face and an Eastern European accent.
10. Dracula (George Melford, 1931)
While Universal Studios produced Tod Browning’s iconic Dracula, they tried to maximize profits by giving the same sets and script to a different crew overnight, filming a Spanish-language counterpart. Directed by George Melford through an interpreter, this Dracula has a higher production value than its twin, and while some argue that Carlos Villarías’ performance lacks the same charisma as Béla Lugosi, many others argue that this version is superior.
The post Dracula: what are the 10 best movies with the vampire? first appeared on Look Digital.
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
