Classic vampire films preceding “Twilight”

In preparation of the upcoming and highly anticipated release of the “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” Friday, Nov. 20, a brief overview of some of the best movies of the vampire genre would seem timely.

1. “Nosferatu” (1922): The first official film version of Bram Stoker’s classic novel, “Dracula.” This silent film is still spooky after almost 90 years with the count (here named Count Orlok and played by actor Max Schreck) probably the most grotesque of all movie vampires. Ironically, nobody living today should be aware of this film’s existence, let alone be able to obtain it from Netflix. This is because, director F.W. Murnau said “Nosferatu” was an adaptation of Stoker’s book and he did not seek permission to use the material. This led to Stoker’s widow sued Murnau and the German court ordered all prints of the film to be destroyed. But somehow, the movie survived and eventually made its way to American cinemas. Despite its illegal status, this was the beginning of the great success of vampires in movie theaters.

  2. “Dracula” (1931): Although it doesn’t have the shock value it carried in 1931, this is the first “Dracula” film with sound, remaining the most famous and engaging of all vampire films. This is mainly due to Bela Lugosi’s iconic performance in the title role. Even the simultaneously filmed Spanish version of “Dracula,” with its superior camera angles and more appealing leading ladies, failed to make the same impression because of Lugosi’s absence. To this day his count is what first comes to mind when many people think of Dracula or vampires. It’s safe to say, without Lugosi’s Dracula, we would have neither the Count on neither “Sesame Street” nor Count Chocula cereal. 

3. “Horror of Dracula” (1958): This was the first Dracula in color and my personal favorite vampire film. Although he memorably played Frankenstein’s monster a year earlier in “The Curse of Frankenstein,” Christopher Lee deservedly became a star with his work as the count in the film. His performance is matched by both Peter Cushing’s performance as Van Helsing and James Bernard’s pulse-pounding musical score.

4. “The Fearless Vampire Killers” (1967): Roman Polanski’s take on vampire movies is a memorable and somewhat low-key affair. He plays one of two vampire hunters (the other is played by Jack MacGowran) who hunt the undead in a small Transylvanian village. It’s not as laugh-filled as Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” (which will test the patience of some viewers) but it’s filled with wonderful imagery, especially the animated title sequence.
5. “30 Days of Night” (2007): This gory adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name proudly wears its cinematic vampire influences on its sleeve. An estranged couple (Josh Hartnett and Melissa George) must protect an ever-deceasing number of people in their Alaskan town when it’s suddenly overrun by vampires.

We must also mention the worst vampire movie, which is Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” (1992). Despite a great director (Francis Ford Coppola), terrific production values (the movie won Oscars for Makeup, Sound Effects Editing and Costume Design) and a perfectly cast Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing, this is the worst vampire film for one simple reason:  it’s not as faithful to the novel as the title implies. Instead of the threatening monster of Stoker’s novel, Coppola made Gary Oldman’s count a tragic lover and Stoker’s story a tragic tale of reincarnated love.  This take may have fared better were it not for its belief in its own superiority as the definitive adaptation of Stoker’s tale.