David Pierdomenico
Vampires have always held a morbid fascination among fans, and among them Count Dracula reigns supreme. First featured in the 1897 novel by Bram Stoker, the character has endured for over a century; even longer when taking into account the real life figure on which he is based. Vlad III Dracula (aka Vlad Tepes or Vlad the Impaler) was the prince ruler of Wallachia (modern day Romania) back in the 15th century. He was a ruthless warrior known for impaling his enemies. However, to this day, he remains a national hero in Romania for defending the nation against several invasions by the Ottoman Empire.
Much of his character has passed into legend however. What we are left with is a long list of adaptations and interpretations. In fact Dracula holds the Guiness World Record for most film appearances of a literary character, 272 in total. But with so many different versions, it’s difficult to determine which is best. What follows are twelve of the most notable, enduring, and recent portrayals of the character.
It’s difficult for anyone to compete with the original. Some will argue this honor belongs to Max Schreck in Nosferatu, but it’s Lugosi who played the title character in a speaking role. His iteration is certainly the most iconic, and is even the inspiration for several others on this list. Lugosi’s performance shines from his hypnotic subtlety. He plays the role as if he’s always just barely holding back how powerful he is. His performance is quite theatrical, which makes sense, considering he had already been playing the part on stage. The film itself is rather dated now, but all things considered, the acting holds up, especially Lugosi’s. No matter how many adaptations filmmakers craft, Lugosi will always be the first to come to audiences’ minds.
While it’s true that Lee played the character in seven films from 1958-1973, his first appearance will be the focus. Lee himself admitted that he hated the Hammer sequels and found them to be cheap. Surprisingly, Lee has very little dialogue and speaks most of it in the beginning, when Dracula is feigning the part of a polite gentleman. What follows is a Dracula that is less theatrical and charismatic than Lugosi, but rather more visceral and feral. Lee’s vampire count is an insatiable creature that lives up to the word monster in every way possible. For a less desensitized audience in 1958, it must have been terrifying.
From this largely forgotten adaptation, Frank Langella delivers one of the most intriguing performances ever seen. His Dracula is incredibly elegant and charming, all the while seeming like he’s hiding something just beneath the surface. The film itself is a bit slow by today’s standards, but has an interestingly bleak feel to it, as well as beautiful cinematography based around the British coast. Langella’s performance still feels almost theatrical, but it’s just menacing enough to be taken seriously. He’s also joined by an amazing cast with Lawrence Olivier as Van Helsing and Donald Pleasance (best known for Dr. Loomis in Halloween) as Dr. Seward.
Despite the overall campy nature of this film, Regehr’s Dracula is actually one of the better portrayals. He’s not sympathetic, or even that well developed, but he successfully embodies the wickedness that goes with the character. Using his own accent, rather than a fake Romanian one, Duncan Regehr has subtlety and menace to his on screen performance. The audience senses that this is a Dracula not to be trifled with, and that he will do whatever is necessary to achieve his goals. Sure, he’s dressed like he’s going to a costume party, but his acting transcends all of that. Plus he yells at a little girl and calls her a “bitch”. Top that, everyone else on this list!
As always, Gary Oldman proves why he’s one of the best actors working today. He’s known for his complete immersion into his roles to the point that he’s unrecognizable as himself. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is no different. Oldman portrays a Dracula that is terrifying, ruthless, and sadistic, but also sympathetic, and even tragic. He lusts for power, but yearns for the reincarnation of his deceased wife Elisabeta. Audiences are disgusted by him, but simultaneously sorrowful for him as well. The film itself is brilliant in its unique art house style, its compelling musical score, and its faithfulness to the source novel by Bram Stoker.
Definitely the most intentionally comedic entry on the list, Leslie Nielsen’s Dracula primarily parodies the Bela Lugosi version, with a little of bit of Gary Oldman thrown in there too. Notably the last film directed by Mel Brooks, Dracula: Dead and Loving It doesn’t fail to make the audience laugh by taking a funny spin on the entire vampire mythos. What makes it work is that the dark tone is still present. Nielsen has all the menace and seriousness of his cinematic counterparts on the list, only what he’s saying is ridiculous and funny. The fact that he keeps a straight face makes it all the more enjoyable. These days unfortunately, spoof movies are nowhere near as good as they used to be.
The late 90’s were a strange time, and this film is the perfect example of it. Everything was trying too hard to be technological, but looking back at it now, it just feels incredibly dated. Dracula 2000 is cheesy in all the wrong ways, and takes itself way too seriously. Gerard Butler barely gets any dialogue, and when he does speak, it’s an intense whisper with an annoying digital effect added. It’s a bland performance in a bland film that’s quite forgettable.
Van Helsing is an interesting gem. Stephen Sommers followed up his two Mummy films with this, and much like them, it’s cheesy, but fun and fully aware of it. Because the film exists within this context, Roxburgh’s Dracula fits quite perfectly; with his over the top, and often cartoonish delivery. But it’s clear that he’s having fun with the role and his not so subtle performance is exactly what audiences would expect. Plus, he’s the only Dracula on the list that turns into a giant bat that resembles a dragon. He has some decent back and forth with Hugh Jackman’s Van Helsing. And while he may seem a caricature at times, it’s perfectly appropriate for the overall tone of the film.
Following in the footsteps of Gerard Butler in Dracula 2000, Dominic Purcell seems to deliver his lines in this intense whisper that’s often digitally altered. The filmmakers are obviously trying to make him sound like a monster, but he just sounds ridiculous. He’s also not at all intimidating when he’s the only Dracula on this list that runs around in leather pants. The film itself is by far the worst of the Blade trilogy, and the villain is no different. Complete with horrible CGI, and tacky 2000’s grunge, he seems more like a moody Hot Topic enthusiast than the king of vampires.
Perhaps if it were any other voice actor, this performance would be more tolerable. Despite sprinkles of creativity throughout the series, it’s difficult not to notice Adam Sandler and his usual entourage giving the same half-hearted performances they always do. Sandler’s Dracula is not at all evil, and even portrayed as loving father, but it’s impossible to get past that voice. It conjures up auditory echoes of his even more annoying characters Whitey and Eleanor from Eight Crazy Nights. Despite his limited screen time, Mel Brooks is far more entertaining as Grandpa Vlad in Hotel Transylvania 2.
Also known simply as Argento’s Dracula, this film is different, to say the least. Its old school sets and shooting style make the film look like something from the 60’s or 70’s. What gives it away, however, is CGI that somehow looks worse than PS2 graphics. At no point does Kretschmann ever truly feel like he’s inhabiting the character, but rather he’s just reading lines and collecting a paycheck (which if the effects are any indicator, must not have been very high). But hey, it’s the only adaptation where he turns into a deadly owl, so at least it has that going for it.
This interesting take on the character has Luke Evans playing the historical Vlad the Impaler, who turns to the dark arts in desperation to protect his home from the Turkish invaders. It’s the most sympathetic version of the character since Bram Stoker’s Dracula. And while Evans is no Gary Oldman, he does a brilliant job of portraying a mortal man willing to do anything to protect his family and his people. The audience relates and understands why he would choose to be a vampire in order to defeat his enemies. The film does rely a bit much on CGI and at times feels like it’s trying to be 300, but watching Vlad slaughter entire armies by himself is still pretty badass. This film was initially meant to kick off Universal’s Dark Universe, and perhaps it would have been much better if it had.
Rankings
Most Iconic – Bela Lugosi
Most Monstrous – Christopher Lee
Most Elegant/Romantic – Frank Langella
Most Calculatingly Sinister – Duncan Regehr
Most Sympathetic/Tragic – Gary Oldman
Funniest – Leslie Nielsen
Most Pathetic/Least Intimidating – Gerard Butler and Dominic Purcell (tie)
Campiest But Still Fun – Richard Roxburgh
Least Funny/Most Annoying Voice – Adam Sandler
Most Boring – Thomas Kretchmann
Most Relatable – Luke Evans
Who is your favorite movie Dracula from this list? Or is yours not included at all? Let us know in the comments!
