Dracula (1931)

Ah, ze oghijhinal!

A couple of years before this, there was a film called Nosferatu. It was basically a pastiche of Bram Stoker's novel, since the filmakers could not get the rights to the novel.

Once right secured, Universal set about making this film, arguably the most popular of Dracula films. Bela Lugosi hits the right nail in this one, and ever since, is known as the definitive Dracula.

The movie follows the books faithfully, except perhaps occasionally. Renfield arrives in Castle Dracula, becomes the Count's victim, and assists him in London, where the Count wrecks havoc.

Watching a 1931 film necessitates the contemporary audience to put oneself in the period. If you don't do that, you are never going to enjoy the film.

The movie is almost without music, and much of the silence lent to creepiness of the set, very much in the mind of the filmakers then. This is strange since, it has probably been two years since the advent of sound, and everybody was either talking their butts off or cramming as much music as possible for the soundtrack. But Ted Browning, the director who came from the silent era, maintained silence in most part.

The standout element is of course Bela Lugosi's performance that will forever be a yardstick to whoever's playing Vampire or similar creepy beings. Lugosi is perfect, as he is really a Hungarian, and his accent is not fake. He is suave, charming, well spoken, as well as dangerously evil.

The director had taken much meat out of the book, and kept it lean. The movie runs for 80 minutes and, again if you put yourself in that time, you won't feel the time passing.

The unfortunate part is, as a result of Lugosi's towering performance, the rest of the characters just vanish in his shadow. Most of them are forgettable, including the important heroines. Not even the guy who plays Harker makes much impact. And forget about Van Helsing. Sometimes you wonder how this Helsing managed to pull it off - destroy, Dracula I mean.

Overall, great entertainment. Despite the weaknesses, it deserves the mantle as the greatest vampire flick ever made.


				*Rakesh's movie talk* *Dracula (1931)*



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		Directed By Tod Browning Written By Bram Stoker (novel), John L. Balderston (play), Hamilton Deane (play), Garrett Fort (play)



		Ah, ze oghijhinal! A couple of years before this, there was a film called Nosferatu. It was basically a pastiche of Bram Stoker's novel, since the filmakers could not get the rights to the novel. Once right secured, Universal set about making this film, arguably the most popular of Dracula films. Bela Lugosi hits the right nail in this one, and ever since, is known as the definitive Dracula. The movie follows the books faithfully, except perhaps occasionally. Renfield arrives in Castle Dracula, becomes the Count's victim, and assists him in London, where the Count wrecks havoc. Watching a 1931 film necessitates the contemporary audience to put oneself in the period. If you don't do that, you are never going to enjoy the film. The movie is almost without music, and much of the silence lent to creepiness of the set, very much in the mind of the filmakers then. This is strange since, it has probably been two years since the advent of sound, and everybody was either talking their butts off or cramming as much music as possible for the soundtrack. But Ted Browning, the director who came from the silent era, maintained silence in most part. The standout element is of course Bela Lugosi's performance that will forever be a yardstick to whoever's playing Vampire or similar creepy beings. Lugosi is perfect, as he is really a Hungarian, and his accent is not fake. He is suave, charming, well spoken, as well as dangerously evil. The director had taken much meat out of the book, and kept it lean. The movie runs for 80 minutes and, again if you put yourself in that time, you won't feel the time passing. The unfortunate part is, as a result of Lugosi's towering performance, the rest of the characters just vanish in his shadow. Most of them are forgettable, including the important heroines. Not even the guy who plays Harker makes much impact. And forget about Van Helsing. Sometimes you wonder how this Helsing managed to pull it off - destroy, Dracula I mean. Overall, great entertainment. Despite the weaknesses, it deserves the mantle as the greatest vampire flick ever made.