In the past, most vampire films were based on the novel Dracula. In modern film, more and more changes have been made to the traditional vampire legend until in many films the vampires no longer play by the old rules.
Nosferatu
One of the first vampires to appear on film was Nosferatu. The 1922 silent film Nosferatu, was an adaptation of the novel Dracula. Because the studio did not have rights to the book, many changes were made. In the short film, Nosferatu was a hideous, ghoulish-looking figure with big ears and teeth.
The novel Dracula, written by Bram Stoker in 1897, derived its name and parts of its legend from the real-life Vlad Tepes, a Romanian prince. Vlad, whose Romanian name translates to “son of Dracula” hailed from Wallachia, which is modern-day Romania. Dracula also means the Devil. Vlad was known for his cruelty, mostly for impaling his enemies on spikes.
Dracula and The Romantic Vampire Tradition
The famous film Dracula starring Bela Lugosi was released in 1931. This paved the way for many more versions of Dracula, many starring handsome actor Christopher Lee. Lee first played Dracula in the 1958 film Horror of Dracula. He later starred in many other vampire films such as Dracula: Prince of Darkness and Dracula has risen from The Grave through the 1960s and 1970s. Dracula has been remade many times. In 1979 the traditional story was retold with Frank Langella in the starring role, and in 1992 Gary Oldman played the role of Count Dracula.
Other vampire movies that followed the romantic tradition and have vampires that sleep in coffins, have no reflections in the mirror and drink blood include the 1994 Interview with the Vampire starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.
The Kung Fu Vampires-Action/Thriller
A new breed of vampires appeared in the 1998 vampire film Blade, played by Wesley Snipes. Blade,whose mother was bitten by a vampire, is part vampire and part human. His being part human enables him to be out during the day. He becomes a vampire hunter, and from then on many films about vampire hunters rather than the lone, black-caped figure stalking a single woman became trendy. The “good vampires” in Blade get their fix from blood stored in a blood bank and do not feast on humans.
Vampires and Werewolf Conflict
Both genres seem to merge in the 2003 film Underworld, where vampires and werewolves fight an age-old battle. The film has a gothic atmosphere and lots of action. Before this film, it was unusual to see vampires and werewolves in the same movie.
The Twilight Vampires
In the film Twilight the vampires break from traditional lore in almost every way possible. Though a romantic movie, these vampires do not play by any of the traditional Dracula-type movie rules. They come out in the daytime, don’t sleep in coffins, have reflections in mirrors, and don’t drink human blood.
In the past few decades vampire movies have become more creative, but they have also lost part of the tradition that made them unique.
Further Reading:
- Romantic Vampire Movies for Halloween
- New Dark Shadows Film to Star Johnny Depp
- The Vampire as a Romantic Figure
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