• 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