'Dracula' is the first of what is now the classic Universal Monsters franchise and stars Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Edward Van Sloan, and Dwight Frye. The film was directed by Todd Browning who was famous at the time for his work with Lon Chaney Sr. who tragically passed away before he could don the cape himself. The film is actually closer to the stage play of the same name rather than the Bram Stoker novel, with many changes throughout and most for the better back in 1931. The truth is, the 'Dracula' novel was probably difficult to imagine a film adaptation due to it being written like diary or journal entries by the various characters and their interactions with Dracula. That would throw me for a loop too if I were asked to make a film at the time but for all the difficultly they may or may not have gone through, 'Dracula' is still one of if not the best film in the Monsters universe.
Bela Lugosi, even with his real-life tragedies will still be remembered for all time due to his performance as the titular vampire. He is Dracula, and while there were many other actors that I also enjoyed as the character, Lugosi's image, his accent, his very presence is forever ingrained into modern culture and even the Halloween season. Everywhere you go, you see Lugosi's Dracula as decorations and even on Count Chocula cereal. As far as the movie itself goes, that's really going to depend on whether or not you're a fan of the slower horror films. It saddens me deeply to hear people won't see any movies in black and white, good or bad because they're missing out on some of the greatest films of all time, particularly comedy and horror flicks. I really urge people to give it a chance and 'Dracula' would be a great starter.
The film keeps you feeling very uncomfortable and creeped out through the short running time which in part is due to the lack of any score or sound effects. This was 1931 and sound films were very new and this, along with a composer union strike at the time, the film was only able to use two pieces of classical music, the first being 'Swan Lake' at the film's opening credits. That theme somehow out of all the odds works perfectly and even Tim Burton used the song as Bela Lugosi's theme in his 1994 biopic film 'Ed Wood'. It's significance has lasted beyond the play from which it originated. As far as anything I would put down about the film, it would be the acting.
This is a hard thing to criticize due to the time period in which it was filmed. Actors were becoming used to sound recording during their performances, therefore they tended to overact particularly Dracula and the various characters that run the hospital. It's silly to most modern audiences but I believe with proper history and context, it can be appreciated a little better. The worst part of the film is by far the character of Jonathan Harker, who comes off as very bland and wooden. Supposedly, the actor playing him really disliked being a part of the production and I can see than through his performance but luckily he doesn't drag down the movie.
This is still a great film, though it may not scare anymore it is still great film making of the early days of the craft. It's a real shame Todd Browning lost his career due to the film 'Freaks' which is also a very good film from this time. I think he could have brought something even more special along the way had he been given the chance. If you choose to check out 'Dracula', I recommend the original audio Blu-Ray. Do NOT pick the Phillip Glass score track, though Mr. Glass is a brilliant composer, this film works so much better in silence. Check it out and see what music the children of the night truly make.
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