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Dracula – 1931 Browning
- The first 15-20 minutes are superb— the introduction tracking shot of Lugosi as Dracula- getting out of his coffin- is amazing as are the series of establishing shots getting closer and closer to the castle
- Shot by wonderful DP Freund—shot metropolis and worked with Murnau—I go back and forth about the choice to spotlight Lugosi’s eyes. It’s effective- which I think matters in horror especially- but it does feel a little like cheating
- Towards the end, especially the scenes with an awful van helsing, elements of the film are filled with heavy dialogue and feel very early 1930’s stagey
- It’s remarkable how good the film is choosing to remake (and one so close at that in terms of plot) the Murnau masterpiece Nosferatu from 1922
- Gorgeous shot of mise-en-scene interior of castle in ruins when Lugosi first speaks
- Lugosi is not a great actor but is perfect here
- Atmospheric opening
- Highly Recommend– top 10 of the year quality border
Drake2020-07-03T10:31:21-04:00
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Dracula adaptations ranked:
1. Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) – MP
2. Dracula (1958) – MS/MP
3. The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) – MS
4. The Brides of Dracula (1960) – MS*
5. Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970) – HR/MS
6. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) – HR/MS
7. Scars of Dracula (1970) – HR
8. Dracula (1979) – HR
9. The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974) – HR
10. Drácula (1931) – Melford – HR
11. Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972) – R/HR
12. Dracula: A Love Tale (2025) – R/HR
13. Dracula has Risen from the grave (1968) – R
14. Dracula (1931) – Browning – R
15. Count Dracula (1970) – R
16. Count Dracula (1977) – R
17. The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) – NR
18. Dracula 3D (2012) – 0/10
This list is a good reference point for Dracula adaptations.
https://www.tasteofcinema.com/2025/the-10-best-dracula-movies-ranked/
@Drake- What are the other important films for Bela Lugosi other than Dracula?
The Van Helsing here looks like Al Pacino in The Godfather Part III
This film was a bit of a disappointment given it’s reputation. Perhaps it would grow on me more with repeated viewings.
Plus I love the Renfield character. And I loved Dwight Fryes’ portrayal here as well as Tom Waits’ portrayal in Coppola’s Dracula. I can’t complain about the decision to have Renfield getting the screentime and scenes of a rather bland character like Jonathan Harker at all.
Some of the sets here are amazing though. The set used when Renfield arrives in Transylvania with the incredibly high ceiling is just spectacular. Just before Dracula arrives.