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Dracula
1931
This is the first screen version of Bram Stoker's famous tale based on the smash hit stage production. Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) arrives in London and immediately works to enrapture and transform into vampires young Lucy Weston (Frances Dade) and her friend Mina Seward (Helen Chandler). After he succeeds in turning Lucy, and .. Read more
| Starring | Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye |
|---|---|
| Director | Tod Browning |
| Genres | Horror |
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Dracula
This is the first screen version of Bram Stoker's famous tale based on the smash hit stage production. Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) arrives in London and immediately works to enrapture and transform into vampires young Lucy Weston (Frances Dade) and her friend Mina Seward (Helen Chandler). After he succeeds in turning Lucy, and Mina's health suddenly deteriorates, Mina's father (Herbert Bunston), calls in a specialist, Professor Abraham Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan). Van Helsing quickly recognizes Dracula's vampirism, and sets about saving Mina (and in the process, becomes Dracula's archenemy). The film, arguably the most influential of the legend's film versions, launched Lugosi's career in horror movies and forever invited vampires across Hollywood's threshold, spawning many sequels and variations. This release features Philip Glass' score, performed by the Kronos Quartet.
| Starring | Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan |
|---|---|
| Director | Tod Browning |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 11 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Horror |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 14 Oct 2002 Production year: 1931 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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This seminal classic from director Tod Browning is one of the most famous horror movies ever made, but by today's standards it is rather talky, stagebound and bloodless, with most of its important chills occurring off-screen. However, it remains the most subtly romantic and highly atmospheric rendition of Bram Stoker's tale about the Transylvanian count, with Browning orchestrating the opening scenes to macabre perfection. Bela Lugosi's star turn — he'd been in the stage version since 1927 — is suitably legendary and, sadly, he subsequently never managed to escape from the role.
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A film which has much to answer for. It started its star and its studio off on horror careers, and it launched innumerable sequels (see below). In itself, after two eerie reels, it becomes a pedantic and slow transcription of a stage adaptation, and its c
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Most helpful member's review
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10 out of 12 people found this review helpful
The Grand Daddy of them All
This is the original dracula movie and perhaps the grand father of all horror movies.
It is simply a classic.
Bela legosi is 'Dracula' and the supporting cast are fantastsic especially 'Fritz' who becomes Draculas slave feeding on Rats.
It has atmosphere and a charm about thi film that many other films have never quite captured.
It is regal, charming, and scary.
If you like Dracula or classic horror films , see how this classic without huge special effects or excessive blood ensures that you will never forget this film -
Most recent members' review
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Give me Nosferatu over this any day
The first appearance on screen of the Dracula character that everyone is familiar with these days. Some great sets couldn't hide the fact that it looked and felt like a cartoon Nosferatu in comparison, however its subsequent influence is there for all to see. The glamourisation of Dracula in film begins here. There's also a commentary on the film that focuses on the legend of the character, notably where the original Dracula character sat in the context of Victorian England which was fascinating.
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News and features
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I Was a Teenage Vampire
- 17 Nov 2009
Vampires have always been immortal but why is it that they keep getting younger – and hotter? Think about it. The movie’s first notable bloodsucker was Max Schreck as Count Orlock in the German silent classic Nosferatu (1922). Coincidentally, Schreck is the German word for “terror”, but it was the actor’s real name. He was in his early 40s at the time, but the bald, bone-thin, rodent-like Orlock could easily have been in his 60s. I don’t think I’m... Read more
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Dracula
This is the first screen version of Bram Stoker's famous tale based on the smash hit stage production. Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) arrives in London and immediately works to enrapture and transform into vampires young Lucy Weston (Frances Dade) and her friend Mina Seward (Helen Chandler). After he ...
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