Dracula has been around for a long long time, and a pretty eclectic group of actors have portrayed him through the ages. Some of the stories behind these adaptations are very interesting; for example, in the case of F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu (1922), Murnau wanted to make an adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula but was denied the rights to it, so he just changed the name of his vampire to 'Count Orlock'. But we know it's really Dracula! The story is the same! Some fit the part perfectly, like for example Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee and Gary Oldman all of who were perfect embodiments of the character, but others, like Lon Chaney Jr., I never bought as a villain! I mean sure he was great as The Wolf Man (1941) because that character had a duality to him, but Dracula is supposed to be all evil, and Chaney Jr. had this good nature to him, I couldn't believe he'd be Dracula. Other portrayals of the character focus on the more romantic side of things, like Frank Langella in John Badham's Dracula (1979) which also has the distinction of being called "Disco Dracula" by this Film Connoisseur, the guy just looks so 70's. Finally, even though it's Bela Lugosi who is often associated with the character, its Christopher Lee who will go down as the guy who played Count Dracula the most. So anyhows, here's a list of actors who have portrayed the character through out the ages and the movies they have appeared in, in no particular order. Enjoy!
Actor: Bela Lugosi
Films: Dracula (1931), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
(1948)
Quote: “I am Dracula, I bid you welcome”
Actor: Christopher Lee
Films: Horror of Dracula (1958), Castle of the Living Dead (1964),
Dracula Prince of Darkness (1966), Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968), Taste
the Blood of Dracula (1970), Scars of Dracula (1970), Jess Franco’s Count
Dracula (1970), Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973), In
Search of Dracula (1975)
Quote: “Sleep well Mr. Harker”
Actor: Frank Langela
Film: Dracula (1979)
Quote: “I am the King of my kind”
Actor: Max Schreck
Film: Nosferatu (1922)
Quote: “Is this your wife? What a lovely throat!”
Actor: Klaus Kinski
Film: Nosferatu: Phantom of the Night (1979)
Quote: “There are things more horrible than death”
Actor: Jack Palance
Film: Dracula (1974)
Actor: John Carradine
Film: House of Dracula (1945)
Quote: “I will explain everything, before sunrise”
Actor: Lon Chaney Jr.
Film: Son of Dracula (1943)
Quote: “We’re here to meet a friend of the Caldwell’s, a
Count Alucard”
Actor: Udo Kier
Film: Blood for Dracula (1974)
Quote: “The blood of these whores is killing me”
Actor: George Hamilton
Film: Love at First Bite (1979)
Quote: “Children of the Night: Shut up!”
Actor: Duncan Regehr
Film: The Monster Squad (1987)
Quote: “Give me the amulet YOU BITCH!”
Actor: Leslie Nielsen
Film: Dracula Dead and Loving It (1995)
Quote: “I never drink wine….oh what the hell, let me try it”
Actor: Gerard Butler
Film: Dracula (2000)
Quote: “I don’t drink…coffee”
Actor: Richard Roxburgh
Film: Van Helsing (2004)
Quote: “I am at war with the world and every living soul in
it!”
Actor: Thomas Kretschmann
Film: Dario Argento’s Dracula (2012)
Actor: Ferdy Mayne
Film: The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)
Quote: “I am a night bird, I am not much good in the daytime”
Actor: Dominic Purcell
Film: Blade: Trinity (2004)
Quote: “Kill a man, you’re a murderer. Kill a million, a
king. Kill them all, a god”
Actor: Rutger Hauer
Film: Dracula III: Legacy (2005)
Quote: “There are no dead here, just the fucked up dead!”
Actor: David Niven
Film: Vampira (1974)
Actor: John Forbes Robertson
Film: The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974)
Actor: Gary Oldman
Film: Bram Stoker's Dracula (1994)
Quote: "I am the monster breathing man would kill, I am Dracula!"
Nicely done. But we need to know more!
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right Drunketh Wizard, there have been more portrayals of the character...I think I will be doing a part II of this article!
ReplyDeleteNice list. You reminded me of a couple of incarnations of the film that I haven't seen. "Nosferatu" is still one of my favorites, so darn creepy every time I watch it. Glad to you see you like Gary Oldman's approach. I've seen a lot of folks dislike the film and Oldman as Dracula. It has always been one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteFor part two, don't forget Willem Defoe in "Shadow of the Vampire". :)
Hey Roman, agree, Nosferatu always makes for a spooky watch!
ReplyDeleteI do like Gary Oldman as Dracula, I think that movie, even with its hiccups (I speak of Keanu of course) is a masterpiece in my book, so great in every way. The artistry involved in that film is astounding, a true achievement in my book! I'll be reviewing Bram Stoker's Dracula this week, be on the look out for that review!
I'll remember Willem Defoe for part II!
My Mom adored Frank Langella, but I love “Sleep well Mr. Harker.”
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), to me is such an amazing film, so artistic, so grand, but Horror of Dracula is certainly one of my favorites as well, the atmosphere on that one is difficult to top and it has some truly memorable moments!
ReplyDelete