Although there have been numerous screen versions of Bram Stoker's classic tale none is more enduring than the 1931 original. The ominous portrayal of Count Dracula by Bela Lugosi combined with horror specialist director Tod Browning help to create an eerie mood. It remains a masterpiece not only of the genre but for all time.
Bram Stoker's tale of horror has been told scores of times on the screen, but none yet have reached the iconic status of Tod Browning's 1931 version. The image most people visualize in their minds when thinking of the Dracula story is that of Bela Lugosi. The story begins with real estate broker Renfield on his way to make arrangements for a piece of property desired by Count Dracula. A series of bizarre incidents en route to Dracula's castle pique Renfield's curiosity, but not enough to deter him from making his commission. Once he arrives and is treated to the Count's hospitality. his curiosity becomes something more akin to wariness, however, he does not get truly uncomfortable until it is too late. This was one of Lugosi's first featured roles in Hollywood after a long and storied career in Hungarian theater, he went to the United States in search of a career as a film actor and Dracula was his big break. This film both made him a star and trapped him in a stereotype from which he would never escape. I can imagine that there are probably worse things to be remembered for, but it frustrated him until his death that he was unable to break that mold. The film is wonderfully atmospheric and, while not the best of the Universal horrors (people often cite Bride of Frankenstein as deserving of that honor), it cerainly remains the most recognizable. The film reaks of theater, with most of the actors having come from the broadway production of the play, and is over acted every step of the way. This barely dminishes its charm as an early brilliant example of Hollywood's affection with gothic horror. It is very entertaining to watch and imagine how this would have frightened an audience in the 1930's with its dated and fairly obvious visual effects. These types of things had not yet become overwrought stereotypes for the horror genre and must have scared the pants off theatergoers. That being said it was Lugosi's sex appeal that kept them coming back as this film made him a much desired figure. While not perfect, this film accomplishes its goal admirably, it frightens, it seduces, and it creeps under your skin. Let youself be romanced by this gothic masterpiece and you will see what I mean.
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Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 or region free DVD player in order to play. Count Dracula arrives in London and immediately works to enrapture and transform into vampires young Lucy Weston and her friend Mina Seward. After he succeeds in turning Lucy, and Mina's health suddenly deteriorates, Mina's father calls in a specialist, Professor Abraham Van Helsing. Van Helsing quickly recognizes Dracula's vampirism, and sets about saving Mina.
Classic film version of the vampire tale, based on Hamilton Deane's theatrical adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel. Estate agent Renfield (Dwight Frye) travels to Transylvania to arrange the sale of an English mansion to nobleman Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi). When Renfield discovers that his host is a 500-year-old vampire, he is bitten and himself enslaved. After arriving in London, Dracula attempts to get his teeth into Mina Seward (Helen Chandler), an innocent maiden betrothed to Jonathan Harker (David Manners). Vampire expert Professor Van Helsing (Edward van Sloan) attempts to put a stop to the bloodsucking.
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