Such is society's ongoing 'love affair' with the vampire myth that it would be impossible to condense all of the films having them as the subject matter into one lesson. Merlin knows, Ulol would break out his vampire hunting kit and stalk me relentlessly were I even to think of it. So, alas, I shall not attempt it, as I have no wish to spend the rest of eternity staked to the outside of my own classroom. For the sake of time, and my own personal safety, let us concentrate, instead on some of the 'biggies' that Hollywood has given us throughout the years.
Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror) is perhaps better known by its shortened name of Nosferatu. A German Expressionist horror film directed by F. W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck as Count Orlok, it was released in 1922, and is a 'must see' for any true fan of the vampire film genre. An unauthorized adaptation of Stoker's novel, names and other details had to be changed because the studio could not obtain the rights to it, thus "vampire" became "nosferatu" and "Count Dracula" became "Count Orlok". A lawsuit ensued in which Stoker's descendants actually won, and the court ordered that all copies of the film be destroyed. Luckily, one copy managed to survive, and a true legend was born.
The plot revolves around the Count's desire for a new residence, with hapless real estate agent, Hutter travelling to Orlok's castle to aid in the process. Of course, things do not go according to plan, and Hutter soon finds himself trapped with the 'monster' who he has every reason to believe is actually 'nosferatu'. Believe me, folks, there is nothing heart-warming, charming, or seductive about Orlok; he embodies 'monster' in the true sense of the word.
I think film critic, Roger Ebert sums it up best for me:
The plot revolves around the Count's desire for a new residence, with hapless real estate agent, Hutter travelling to Orlok's castle to aid in the process. Of course, things do not go according to plan, and Hutter soon finds himself trapped with the 'monster' who he has every reason to believe is actually 'nosferatu'. Believe me, folks, there is nothing heart-warming, charming, or seductive about Orlok; he embodies 'monster' in the true sense of the word.
I think film critic, Roger Ebert sums it up best for me:
"Here is the story of Dracula before it was buried alive in clichés, jokes, TV skits, cartoons and more than 30 other films. The film is in awe of its material. It seems to really believe in vampires. Is Murnau's "Nosferatu" scary in the modern sense? Not for me. I admire it more for its artistry and ideas, its atmosphere and images, than for its ability to manipulate my emotions like a skillful modern horror film. It knows none of the later tricks of the trade, like sudden threats that pop in from the side of the screen. But "Nosferatu" remains effective: It doesn’t scare us, but it haunts us."
In 1931, despite the extreme reluctance of Universal Studios production head, Carl Laemmle, Jr, an enthusiastic actor would find that his hard lobbying to play the title role in the upcoming film, Dracula, was about to pay off-he would get the job. Laemmle and the studio heads would lament the loss of Lon Chaney, who was already under contract with MGM and could not take the job, and the role would fall instead to Bela Lugosi, who had already played Stoker''s infamous Count on Broadway. Even with the apathetic director, Tod Browning at the helm, the movie would go on to critical acclaim, and Lugosi's performance would become the benchmark for any future 'Draculas' that was to grace the silver screen. All in all, I think it worked out rather well for everyone concerned.
Another remake of Stoker's classic novel would hit the theaters in 1958, this time with English actor, Christopher Lee taking on the role of Count Dracula. Directed by Terence Fisher, the film would be retitled Horror of Dracula in the United States to avoid confusion with the earlier film done by Lugosi, and was a critical and commercial success upon its release. If Lugosi paved the way, then for many, including myself, Christopher Lee can perhaps be considered THE Dracula of choice when it comes to Hollywood films. Not to say that I have not thoroughly enjoyed other people's performances in the role, but when I think "Dracula", this is the face I see.
One cool thing worth mentioning is the zodiac wheel in the final scene. It is inlaid on the floor where Dracula crumbles as he is overtaken by the sunlight, and the quote on the outer ring is rather poetic.
One cool thing worth mentioning is the zodiac wheel in the final scene. It is inlaid on the floor where Dracula crumbles as he is overtaken by the sunlight, and the quote on the outer ring is rather poetic.
"Tellus vero primum siquidem genuit parem sibi coelum stellis ornatum, ut ipsam totam obtegat, utque esset beatis Diis sedes tuta semper."
("And Earth first bare starry Heaven, equal to herself, to cover her on every side, and to be an ever-sure abiding-place for the blessed gods."
Moving away from the classic Count Dracula interpretation, our next film hails from 1987, and deals with a gang of teenage vampires, aka 'the lost boys', in a movie aptly titled, The Lost Boys. Directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Haim, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest, Edward Herrmann, and Barnard Hughes, it is typical of the time period, a rather clever blending of horror and comedy that would endear it enough to fans of the genre to garner it several sequels, and a Saturn Award for Best Horror Film in 1987.
The main plot of the movie involves two brothers who move to a new town, who soon become convinced that the area is frequented by vampires. They're right. Part comedy, part horror, super slick, and ultra cool, the tagline of the movie really says it all: "Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It’s fun to be a vampire"
The main plot of the movie involves two brothers who move to a new town, who soon become convinced that the area is frequented by vampires. They're right. Part comedy, part horror, super slick, and ultra cool, the tagline of the movie really says it all: "Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It’s fun to be a vampire"
Yet another version of the classic Dracula story was given to the movie-going public in 1992, this one under the direction of Francis Ford Coppola and starring Gary Oldman in the title role. Stepping out of my 'teacher hat' for a moment, I will now proceed to squeal like the fan-girl that I seriously am. Oldman, Dracula, Coppola-what is there not to love?!
The movie definitely falls under the category of erotic horror, with the main plot of the story focusing as much on the seductive, forbidden love between Mina Harker and Count Dracula as on the 'horror' of the vampire. I have to agree with Richard Corliss, writer for Time:
The movie definitely falls under the category of erotic horror, with the main plot of the story focusing as much on the seductive, forbidden love between Mina Harker and Count Dracula as on the 'horror' of the vampire. I have to agree with Richard Corliss, writer for Time:
"Coppola brings the old spook story alive ... Everyone knows that Dracula has a heart; Coppola knows that it is more than an organ to drive a stake into. To the director, the count is a restless spirit who has been condemned for too many years to interment in cruddy movies. This luscious film restores the creature's nobility and gives him peace."
Based on Anne Rice's novel of the same name, Interview With The Vampire, hit movie theaters in 1994. Directed by Neil Jordan, its cast reads like a veritable Who's Who of Hollywood A-listers, including Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater, Stephen Rhea, and Kirsten Dunst. The story is 'told' by one of the main characters, Louis de Pointe du Lac through an interview with reporter, Daniel Molloy. Louis chronicles his life from the time he was 'turned' by the vampire, Lestat, and their lives together throughout the following centuries. Like the book on which it is based, it has a sense of erotic danger, and blends in elements of old world charm. It is also a moral tale, of sorts, highlighting Louis' struggle to come to terms with his decreasing humanity.
On a side note, extreme kudos to Christian Slater, who stepped in to fill the role of Daniel Molloy after the untimely death of River Phoenix, who was originally cast. He donated his entire salary to River's favorite charity. Now that's class.
On a side note, extreme kudos to Christian Slater, who stepped in to fill the role of Daniel Molloy after the untimely death of River Phoenix, who was originally cast. He donated his entire salary to River's favorite charity. Now that's class.
John Carpenter's, Vampires, debuting in 1998 saw the blending of two iconic movie genres, namely western and horror. Starring James Woods, Thomas Ian Griffith, and Daniel Baldwin, the movie is based on a book of the same name by John Steakley who is rumored to have said that the movie contained "much of his dialogue, but none of his plot". Nevertheless, it was a box office hit.
There was nothing alluring or seductive about Carpenter's vampires. These vampires have but one thing on their minds-the destruction of mankind. Period. It is left up to the Vatican and a team of secret vampire-hunters to stop them at all costs. It gets real nasty, real quickly. This movie is not for the faint of heart.
There was nothing alluring or seductive about Carpenter's vampires. These vampires have but one thing on their minds-the destruction of mankind. Period. It is left up to the Vatican and a team of secret vampire-hunters to stop them at all costs. It gets real nasty, real quickly. This movie is not for the faint of heart.
It appears that 1998 was the year of the vampire movie! Blade, directed by Stephen Norrington and starring Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, and Stephen Dorff also hit the big screen at this time. Loosely based on the Marvel comic book character of the same name, this vampire-superhero action film tells the story of Blade, a vampire hybrid whose main mission in life is to protect the human race from the evil vampires bent on destroying them; all while looking darned good doing it, too. Snipes is, arguably, the 'coolest' vampire that ever was. Allright, allright, technically he was a half-vampire, but still....
"You better wake up. The world you live in is just a sugar-coated topping! There is another world beneath it - the real world. And if you wanna survive it, you better learn to *pull the trigger!* ~Blade~
The first movie in the Underworld trilogy debuted in 2003, and although it was soundly panned by the critics, the public could not get enough of it. Directed by Len Wiseman, the movie starred Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, and Shane Brolly. The plot itself revolved around the age old war between the Lycans (werewolves) and the Vampires, and was set in the modern day. The main character (played by Beckinsale) is Selene, a vampire Death Dealer whose primary mission is to hunt Lycans. Easy enough, right? Well, yes--until Michael enters the picture. If you haven't already guessed it, Selene and Michael are destined to meet and fall in love. And yes, as I am sure you are very well aware, Michael is a Lycan. It is rather like Romeo and Juliet, only with a lot more blood, guts, fangs, and flying fur. Seriously though, it is not all just sappy romance-far from it. This is one I would highly recommend.
Stop it, just stop it! I can hear the groans from here and Merlin help me if one of you throw rocks at me I am not responsible for what happens!!! Can I help it if Cedric Diggory thinks he is a sparkly vampire?!!! I think not. Ahems, now were we?
In 2008, Catherine Hardwicke would direct Twilight, the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's book of the same name. Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner it begins the love triangle between the human girl, Bella Swan, the ever-youthful vampire with the unique ability to sparkle in the sunlight, Edward Cullen, and brooding, mysterious werewolf who hates-all-things-vampire-but-likes-Bella, Jacob Black. And all the young girls swooned appropriately. And some older girls, too. Go Team Edward! What?!!
In 2008, Catherine Hardwicke would direct Twilight, the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's book of the same name. Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner it begins the love triangle between the human girl, Bella Swan, the ever-youthful vampire with the unique ability to sparkle in the sunlight, Edward Cullen, and brooding, mysterious werewolf who hates-all-things-vampire-but-likes-Bella, Jacob Black. And all the young girls swooned appropriately. And some older girls, too. Go Team Edward! What?!!
The 2008 film, Let The Right One In hails from Sweden, and from the moment it hit the screen captivated audiences and critics alike. Receiving widespread international acclaim, it won numerous awards, and would inspire an American version, Let Me In, which debuted in 2010.
Directed by Thomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson, it tells the story of Oskar, an overlooked and bullied boy who finds love and ultimately revenge through a growing friendship with Eli, a beautiful, mysterious girl who turns out to be a vampire. Unconcerned with telling a conventional vampire story, the director focused heavily on the relationship between the two children, stripping it down to an eerily haunting and stark story that is guaranteed to stay with you for a very long time.
Directed by Thomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson, it tells the story of Oskar, an overlooked and bullied boy who finds love and ultimately revenge through a growing friendship with Eli, a beautiful, mysterious girl who turns out to be a vampire. Unconcerned with telling a conventional vampire story, the director focused heavily on the relationship between the two children, stripping it down to an eerily haunting and stark story that is guaranteed to stay with you for a very long time.
Not even the President of the United States can shirk his duty when it comes to hunting vampires, as seen in the 2012 film, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, it stars Benjamin Walker in the title role.
Starting out with young Abraham witnessing the beating of a slave he has befriended, he chooses to intervene, costing his father, Thomas, his job. Bart, the plantation owner decides to take further vengeance by poisoning Abraham's mother. Bart, of course, is a vampire. And thus it begins.
Jump ahead, and Abraham Lincoln is now the 16th President of the United States. He is also a secret vampire hunter, and after finding out that vampires are threatening to take over the country, he makes it his personal mission to eliminate them. Campy? Yes. Tongue-in-cheek? Definitely. On my want-to-see list? You bet!
Starting out with young Abraham witnessing the beating of a slave he has befriended, he chooses to intervene, costing his father, Thomas, his job. Bart, the plantation owner decides to take further vengeance by poisoning Abraham's mother. Bart, of course, is a vampire. And thus it begins.
Jump ahead, and Abraham Lincoln is now the 16th President of the United States. He is also a secret vampire hunter, and after finding out that vampires are threatening to take over the country, he makes it his personal mission to eliminate them. Campy? Yes. Tongue-in-cheek? Definitely. On my want-to-see list? You bet!
Please proceed to Assignment 8 for your homework.