Dr. Van Helsing in the movie is an incredibly charming guy. It's almost impossible not to feel a certain warmth of character from him. One of the best parts of the movie for me.
Was never a horror movie fan until recently. I started with Dracula (1931) and I've been hooked on classic horror films since. Personally, I think the static nature of the film lends itself perfectly to Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Count Dracula. Love this movie.
I love the movie's tagline: "The story of the strangest passion the world has ever known!" So obvious they were worried to actually say what the movie was about. The novel is excellent, and one of the few books that truly scared me. The movie was kind of a letdown after that, but there's enough there to make me glad I saw it.
I seen both films, i agree some scenes of the spanish things has more drama going on, but i am a loyal fan to the english dracula version with bela lugosi, i think when its slower its like more scary...like when u jump into the action its not that scary... but in the lugosi version its like crawling slowly of terrifying. Bela Lugosi was and is still the sexiest male vampire i have ever seen, On the another hand the sexiest female vampira has to be Vampira.
English Version: Mina says, "In the morning I felt weak, like all the life had been drained out of me." Spanish Version: Eva (Mina isn't a Spanish name): "In the morning I felt weak, like I lost my virginity." ! ! !
I agree with the importance to the horror genre of this film. I also think the original Night of the Living Dead had a significant impact on horror culture- and culture in general. Both iconic films for sure.
Tough call. Both versions of Nosferatu are amazing. Horror of Dracula is great. Bride of Frankenstein. Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead . . . it's tough to pick just one favorite.
No, but I didn't monetize those. If you want to actually get paid for your videos, using copyrighted material without permission, even if you can argue that it's fair use, is a lot of trouble.
I really like the plain black background you use for this clip. Also, your editing is getting really smooth - at about 10:50 you splice two clips together and the audio is perfect.
Thank you in advance of watching these videos, Steve. I have missed so much the past month, but I just love catching up with some movie reviews and you!!!
Interesting, informative review, Steve. I saw the film years ago, on TV, and never thought to the things you mentioned. Will make a point to re-watch it with your points in mind.
I bought Nosferatu on VHS off Ebay back in the late 90's. I was thinking of this movie and was glad to hear you mention it in your review. Looking forward to seeing which other classic horror movies you talk about
You realize that in 1930 (when the film was actually shot) the cameras had no soundproofing and had to be housed in something like an old style phone booth with a window. Until "blimps" were created a few years later this severely reduced camera movement when sound was recorded. The camera move you describe was done without sound recorded during that shot and the sound or music was added in.
I'm sure you already have the monster movies planned that you will review, but it would be awesome if you also do the Wolf Man and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Thanks for talking about these, I'm a huge fan of the Universal Monster classics. I agree with you that the Spanish version artistically and technically is a better film, though I still prefer Bela Lugosi over Carlos Villarías as Dracula. His mannerisms and presence feel more menacing to me.
Carlos' Dracula seemed intense and predatory, maybe a little campy. Bela's Dracula seemed more commanding, more in control of the situation. I agree his slowness and deliberateness made his actions seem more dread-inducing...
Fair and just a great review No denying that DRACULA influenced all the other Universals after it For the first time America horror movies had a real supernatural creature not just someone trying to scare a relative out of their inheritance DRACULA was the real deal Just got finished reading the original script by Bromfield and Murphy from Bear Manor Books- if only the studio could have scraped the money together for that shooting script instead of using the stage bound version of the Bram Stoker's literary creation
I have this on DVD and was pleasantly surprised that it also included the Spanish version too. I just got done watching the English version and while it was a good film, I enjoyed Nosferatu a lot better.
I would have to assume the king would be the theists' satan. I must say that as a pre-teen in the 1950s I saw that movie and it scared me so bad that I couldn't sleep without covers over my head for a very long time. LOL
Hey, what's up man? Loved your video! It was really great! I love the 1931 DRACULA. Such a great movie. Hey, I'm gonna do my main man Bela a solid here. His name is actually pronounced Bay-Luh. Anyway, please keep up with the videos! Really enjoy them.
While I appreciate Dracula for it's place in movie history I can't make it through a viewing without falling asleep. Love Lugosi but Frankenstein has more dramatic and philosophical meat on it's bones.
Carlos Villarias as the Count Dracula forever. I like much more the Spanish version. Definitely superior to the US version. Congratulations to the producer Paul Kohner & director George Melford. Great review. Thank you.
Okay, loved the review and how cool was making a spanish speaking film at the same time? I am trying not to be nitpicky here, but I believe he pronounced his name Bay-la, not Bell-la. Sorry, that WAS nitpicky....
That's funny, as I often hear people refer to Satan as the prince of darkness ;) . As to Dracula, the movie, being scary, I could imagine. People nowadays strike me as kinda jaded about the aspect of fear generated from a movie. Folks sometimes laugh about something like a Godzilla movie, but if I imagine a gigantic lizard that breathes atomic fire, from the perspective of a Japanese person, he IS scary :) .
Prefer the Spanish version from the same year myself, it is great. Dracula played by Lugosi is very old looking, the Spanish is more modern looking both film style and actors.
Why does Steve always wear a hat? Are you bald, Steve? I'm picturing the classic monk-style pattern - chrome dome with a crescent of hair from ear to ear. I bet it's true.
it would have been really weird if the Spanish language version wouldn't have been better. i mean, they get to see what has been done earlier that day and then they could use what worked and improve what didn't. also, do more movie reviews, please. :)
Steve have you seen the Spanish Dracula, that was filmed at the same time using the same sets and filmed at night while the other Dracula was filmed. It is a much better film.
Are you going to review Nosferatu? I watched that movie (my dad had bought the rerelease video tape box I think) even before I went to elementary school it's really made a mark on me :P
do you like any horror movies made in the last, say, 40 years? I don't really get into them much... one of the last "horror" movies I saw was Game Change. ha!
Lugosi is flawless in this role. All others are compared to him.
His accent has a classic iconic sound.
Dr. Van Helsing in the movie is an incredibly charming guy. It's almost impossible not to feel a certain warmth of character from him. One of the best parts of the movie for me.
Was never a horror movie fan until recently. I started with Dracula (1931) and I've been hooked on classic horror films since. Personally, I think the static nature of the film lends itself perfectly to Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Count Dracula. Love this movie.
For one who has not lived even a single lifetime, you are a wise man, Steve Shives.
Vampires for decades had the capabillity of eliciting intense interest from each generation. Why do we find them so fascinating?
It was his laugh that made my hair curl. I'll never forget it.
I love the movie's tagline: "The story of the strangest passion the world has ever known!" So obvious they were worried to actually say what the movie was about.
The novel is excellent, and one of the few books that truly scared me. The movie was kind of a letdown after that, but there's enough there to make me glad I saw it.
I seen both films, i agree some scenes of the spanish things has more drama going on, but i am a loyal fan to the english dracula version with bela lugosi, i think when its slower its like more scary...like when u jump into the action its not that scary... but in the lugosi version its like crawling slowly of terrifying. Bela Lugosi was and is still the sexiest male vampire i have ever seen, On the another hand the sexiest female vampira has to be Vampira.
English Version:
Mina says, "In the morning I felt weak, like all the life had been drained out of me."
Spanish Version:
Eva (Mina isn't a Spanish name): "In the morning I felt weak, like I lost my virginity."
! ! !
Including clips would create copyright issues.
Renfield in that movie was really disturbing, especially when he's crawling towards the maid that fainted.
That was Dwight Frye. A great character actor who never got the credit he so deserved in Hollywood.
I agree with the importance to the horror genre of this film. I also think the original Night of the Living Dead had a significant impact on horror culture- and culture in general. Both iconic films for sure.
Tough call. Both versions of Nosferatu are amazing. Horror of Dracula is great. Bride of Frankenstein. Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead . . . it's tough to pick just one favorite.
I'm a big fan of the universal classic monster movies
Joshua Purvis me too except invisible woman and phantom of the opera
Yes! Cushing is amazing in the Hammer Frankenstein series.
This week I'm only doing some of the classic Universal horror films. But I love the Hammer series, too, and I want to review them at some point.
No, but I didn't monetize those. If you want to actually get paid for your videos, using copyrighted material without permission, even if you can argue that it's fair use, is a lot of trouble.
I love "The Invisible Man." It balances scares with fairly broad humor. It was also a benchmark in special effects.
I really like the plain black background you use for this clip. Also, your editing is getting really smooth - at about 10:50 you splice two clips together and the audio is perfect.
Thank you in advance of watching these videos, Steve. I have missed so much the past month, but I just love catching up with some movie reviews and you!!!
Vampires have a sensuality that other monsters lack. They make plague and death almost alluring.
Cool talk. Old scary movies are still wonderful.
Interesting, informative review, Steve.
I saw the film years ago, on TV, and never thought to the things you mentioned.
Will make a point to re-watch it with your points in mind.
Also, Castle Dracula is infested with armadillos.
I bought Nosferatu on VHS off Ebay back in the late 90's. I was thinking of this movie and was glad to hear you mention it in your review. Looking forward to seeing which other classic horror movies you talk about
You realize that in 1930 (when the film was actually shot) the cameras had no soundproofing and had to be housed in something like an old style phone booth with a window. Until "blimps" were created a few years later this severely reduced camera movement when sound was recorded. The camera move you describe was done without sound recorded during that shot and the sound or music was added in.
i feel as though at least some of the staginess may be ascribable to its being a transfer at least in part from a stage play.
I'm sure you already have the monster movies planned that you will review, but it would be awesome if you also do the Wolf Man and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Thanks for talking about these, I'm a huge fan of the Universal Monster classics. I agree with you that the Spanish version artistically and technically is a better film, though I still prefer Bela Lugosi over Carlos Villarías as Dracula. His mannerisms and presence feel more menacing to me.
Carlos' Dracula seemed intense and predatory, maybe a little campy. Bela's Dracula seemed more commanding, more in control of the situation. I agree his slowness and deliberateness made his actions seem more dread-inducing...
Fair and just a great review No denying that DRACULA influenced all the other Universals after it For the first time America horror movies had a real supernatural creature not just someone trying to scare a relative out of their inheritance DRACULA was the real deal Just got finished reading the original script by Bromfield and Murphy from Bear Manor Books- if only the studio could have scraped the money together for that shooting script instead of using the stage bound version of the Bram Stoker's literary creation
Bride of Frankenstein, one of the best horror movie sequels, ever.
I have this on DVD and was pleasantly surprised that it also included the Spanish version too. I just got done watching the English version and while it was a good film, I enjoyed Nosferatu a lot better.
I would have to assume the king would be the theists' satan. I must say that as a pre-teen in the 1950s I saw that movie and it scared me so bad that I couldn't sleep without covers over my head for a very long time. LOL
Hey, what's up man? Loved your video! It was really great! I love the 1931 DRACULA. Such a great movie. Hey, I'm gonna do my main man Bela a solid here. His name is actually pronounced Bay-Luh. Anyway, please keep up with the videos! Really enjoy them.
another one was "We Need To Talk About Kevin." "haha"...
This is one of my favorite movies of all time.
While I appreciate Dracula for it's place in movie history I can't make it through a viewing without falling asleep. Love Lugosi but Frankenstein has more dramatic and philosophical meat on it's bones.
Count Duckula was a better Vampire than Edward Cullen
I never saw the movie, but I read the book when I was about 10 years old, and it scared the living doo-doo out of me.
Now that you mention it, no, not at all.
Carlos Villarias as the Count Dracula forever. I like much more the Spanish version. Definitely superior to the US version. Congratulations to the producer Paul Kohner & director George Melford. Great review. Thank you.
People always seem to mention the "prince of darkness". My question? Who then, is the king and/or queen of darkness?
Okay, loved the review and how cool was making a spanish speaking film at the same time? I am trying not to be nitpicky here, but I believe he pronounced his name Bay-la, not Bell-la. Sorry, that WAS nitpicky....
I've noticed that stuff about the stiff style of filming. My guess is the director/DP lacked the imagination to go beyond the stage play.
Lugosi was and is and always will be DRACULA!
That's funny, as I often hear people refer to Satan as the prince of darkness ;) . As to Dracula, the movie, being scary, I could imagine. People nowadays strike me as kinda jaded about the aspect of fear generated from a movie. Folks sometimes laugh about something like a Godzilla movie, but if I imagine a gigantic lizard that breathes atomic fire, from the perspective of a Japanese person, he IS scary :) .
I imagine you'd be scared of one, too, if it came down your street.
Redletter media dudes do it. It would fall under fair use as you would be commenting, teaching, and criticizing.
talking about frankenstein you know theres a new movie coming out looks badass
Shiitake...I can see that there are 56 comments but cannot access them and respond as I normally do!?
The only real candy i crave is candy corn. so Halloween is my favorite holiday.
If you watch The Wolf Man ...1941, try to count the times Larry is used . You will need ( your pen ) and paper .
Good luck .
And now I'm thinking of Vlad Tepes ... lol.
I wish they would make a new dracula movie about Vlad Tepes.
Prefer the Spanish version from the same year myself, it is great. Dracula played by Lugosi is very old looking, the Spanish is more modern looking both film style and actors.
What do you think of Horror of Dracula from Hammer in comparison to this one?
Why does Steve always wear a hat? Are you bald, Steve? I'm picturing the classic monk-style pattern - chrome dome with a crescent of hair from ear to ear.
I bet it's true.
it would have been really weird if the Spanish language version wouldn't have been better. i mean, they get to see what has been done earlier that day and then they could use what worked and improve what didn't. also, do more movie reviews, please. :)
Great film review!
Steve have you seen the Spanish Dracula, that was filmed at the same time using the same sets and filmed at night while the other Dracula was filmed. It is a much better film.
Are you going to review Nosferatu? I watched that movie (my dad had bought the rerelease video tape box I think) even before I went to elementary school it's really made a mark on me :P
I love Gary Oldman Dracula ... I LOVE it!
I've never seen the Spanish version but I've heard the directing and acting of the supporting cast are better.
If you feel like crying, watch Dracula 3000.
Would the movie have been better had they given him fangs ?
Calling that thing sparkly and emo is offensive to sparkly and emo things. hell... Calling that thing a thing at all is offensive to things...
I am..........Count Dracula
whats your favorite horror movie
You too!?
Oops...the name Larry ...that is .
yea is good watch it
Why would that be ironic?
And I regret commenting before watching the whole thing
My birthday is on Halloween!
That, my good man, was a fuck up.
dracula is awsome now we have twilight
What do you think of the theorized subtext, that vampires represented [depending on your politics] Capitalists, Communists, or Fascists?
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
nosferatu dont know if i spelled it rite but dat movie was creepy
do you like any horror movies made in the last, say, 40 years? I don't really get into them much... one of the last "horror" movies I saw was Game Change. ha!
spiders!!! SPIDERS!!
So you're saying that an atheist can't enjoy something that has religious overtones? Hmm. Better go throw away all my Superman movies and comics...
Not all that impressed with the 1931 Dracula.....Not a great film at all IMO.....Very dated indeed !!
Steve, denounce your statements about the Star Trek shuttle and Lost in Translation, and your sins will be forgiven - Repent, ye heretic!
na twilight vampires r better lol