Year: 1931
Director: Tod Browning
Country: US
Language: English
After a harrowing ride through the Carpathian mountains in eastern Europe, Renfield (Dwight Frye) enters castle Dracula to finalize the transferal of Carfax Abbey in London to Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) , who is in actuality a vampire. Dracula turns his attention to Mina Seward (Helen Chandler), however Dr.Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) will do his best to prevent her from becoming one of the undead.
Bela Lugosi's breakout performance as the Hungarian vampire makes him quite the star in Hollywood after Dracula. Originally Lon Chaney was supposed to be cast, however he died in pre-production and Browning had no choice but to cast Lugosi. He plays the immortal vampire mean and menacingly, but also flamboyantly. Unlike Max Schrek, Lugosi's vampire is more sexual than pure evil. His accent is classic, often imitated but never duplicated "Cheeldren of the Naight!"
Cinematographer Karl Freund employs his German Expressionistic shadow making to add to the eerie atmosphere contained within the film. Browning inspires this version of Dracula, not from Stoker's original novel, but from the stage; the primary sources of the screenplay are from theatrical adaptations. The art direction is astonishing, Castle Dracula looks sinister and unkempt, full of cobwebs and vermin. Unfortunately because it is more theatrical in nature, it is less haunting than Murnau's Nosferatu; there is less of a sense of urgency and fear.
In conclusion, Dracula is quite an enjoyable and entertaining film. In comparison with Nosferatu Browning's film certainly more accessible and family friendly, but I feel a vampire movie should chill you to the bone. Bela Lugosi creates a charismatic figure, but that feels somewhat wrong. This isn't the best horror film, not is it the best Universal 30's monster flick, but it certainly is worth watching. 3.5/5
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