DRACULA, A CENTURY OF THE VAMPIRE - Dracula, the novel, was written
by Bram Stoker in 1897. Years later, it appeared in silent films and then talking
films. TV shows and streaming series came afterward. At present Blumhouse
Productions, a film studio, announced a new treatment of the material. In 2020,
director Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body), is working to bring a fresh
perspective to the tale. Why has the character endured, while so many others
have faded away? Because the character has so much potential for retellings,
depending on the desired outcome. Count Dracula can be: a hero, a historical figure in a period piece, an ugly monster, a PNR love interest, an antihero/ villain, or
even a straight man for puns or jokes. This post will provide sample actors,
scripts and renditions which have been released over nearly a century. Which
one of these subjectively deserves to be considered the best, or the worst?
Max Schrek -
Nosferatu (1922)
As thinly veiled plagiarism, Stoker's widow sued the film
studio and won a judgement. The studio went bankrupt, and all copies were ordered
to be destroyed. Somehow one version of this silent film survived and was
reprinted. Technically this was Count Orlok, but nothing had been altered from novel
to script. The vampire is animalistic: slumped back, sharp ears, jagged teeth
and long fingernails. This is Schreck’s most famous role. His acting was so
convincing legend persists to this day he was a real vampire.
Bela Lugosi –
Dracula (1931)
When asked to imagine Dracula’s appearance, this is the
image that comes to everyone’s mind. The widow’s peak, the tuxedo, the red
lined cape, the pale skin and long fingernails. His furtive movement, the
rhythm of his voice, and the way he swept his cape over his face. Lugosi never
again played a part so well, but that’s why his performance has been copied so
many times.
Lon Chaney Jr. –
Son of Dracula (1943)
Lon Jr. could never have lived up to his father: legendary
actor and makeup artist, The Man with 1000 Faces, Lon Chaney Sr. The other
problem with this film is Lon Jr. attempted to copy Lugosi. Another man whose
shoes he could never fill. This film fails on both accounts, as a poor and
lifeless imitation. Sadly reductive it brought nothing new, compared to better versions.
Christopher Lee –
Horror of Dracula (1958)
I’d like him to be known as the Technicolor Dracula. He was presented
in color for the first time in this version. Hammer Horror devoted themselves to
the genre, whereas Lee played the title role his entire life. It became his signature role for good reason. Filmed
on location in real chateaus, the atmosphere of lurking dread is marvelously
authentic, especially in the studio’s early films. For me, Lee is the best at this part.
Frank Langella –
Dracula (1979)
This version portrays our hero as a romantic lead. Including
a tagline "a love story" incorporated into the title. This iteration created
space which modern vampire versions would later occupy. Such as Twilight,
Vampire Diaries and Interview with a Vampire. Frank Langella is quoted as
saying he “wanted to show a man who, while evil, was lonely and could fall in
love."
Gary Oldman – Bram
Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
A bit hokey at points, the film is successful overall in the
performances, sets and costumes. The result is a convincing portrayal of the
count from Transylvania. It’s a romance between Winona Ryder as Mina and Gary
Oldman in the title role. He’s lavishly costumed, strange, dramatic, intense,
and sexually alluring. Somehow this film is still fresh, when compared to less
successful versions. Francis Ford Coppola does a great job of creating a period
paranormal romance.
Richard Roxburgh –
Van Helsing (2004)
Bad early CGI, unrealistic hairpieces, clunky dialog, fake
accents, and wooden overacting. What’s worse is it’s riddled with cliché movie
monster references. Not to mention full-on explanations on the backstory, along
with labored “how to kill vampires” sequences. Nothing works, the whole thing
is canned and over produced. As I prepped
to write this post, I wondered. Why hadn’t I ever watched this movie? After
forcing myself to sit through it, the answer became clear.
Claes Bang –
Dracula (2020)
This concept strays far, far away, from the original source
material. Reviews are mixed, pertaining to Netflix’s version of the vampire. But in
my opinion, this version works well enough. I liked the fresh take on storytelling.
It included satisfying, daringly dark humor. Most horror comedy doesn’t work,
but this one does. It’s dark enough to be shocking sometimes. Bang is a
dashingly handsome man, possessing enough elegance to bring believability to
the character. His mannerisms are
reminiscent of Lugosi, which makes him well-suited to the part.
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