Best of the Rest: The Top 3 Movie Draculas

A naive person might speculate that all the world needs is a single Count Dracula movie, but this is clearly not the case. People flock to almost every new vampire movie that is released, and who can blame them?  The concept brings to mind many different ways that the story could be portrayed, and curiosity as what the next Dracula will look like.

Unfortunately though, some Dracula’s are the kind of bad you don’t want to watch; but others fotunately are the viciously evil kind of bad that audiences want to watch over and over again.  Today we’re honoring three of the most deliciously vile cinematic Dracula’s to hit the big screen. 

Beware those who read further, for all the powers of good cannot protect you from the might fangs of. . .  “The Top 3 Movie Draculas!”

#1.  Christopher Lee – Horror of Dracula (1958)

 What's the Movie?

Horror of Dracula is a horror remake from the 50’s starring Peter Cushing, Michael Gough and, of course, Christopher Lee.  The movie is not as well remembered as it probably should be.  It’s not the best Vampire movie ever, but it’s especially notable for Christopher Lee’s performance, as well as its landmark status in the history of violence in film.

Why is Christopher Lee a Great Dracula?

Christopher Lee was born to play Dracula, and if that wasn’t obvious to you before watching “Horror” then it definitely will be afterwards.  He plays the role British (unlike the other two on this list, who both go for the Transylvanian accent,) and it adds some credibility to the performance.  More than anything though Lee is just a huge presence on screen with a deep smooth voice that could kill a charging bear; He’s pretty much awesome all around in Horror of Dracula.

#2.  Gary Oldman – Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

What's the Movie?

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is another movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola that isn’t as good as you would think it would be.  It was released in the early 90’s and stars Keanu Reeves, Winona Rider and Gary Oldman, among others (the film has a fantastic cast.)  It is by far the most graphic mainstream vampire movie to date (and possibly the best to boot,) as it captures the scary sensual side of Bram Stokers novel along with the violent aspects.

Why is Gary Oldman a Great Dracula?

One of the more original portrayals of the character in the last few years, Gary Oldman's Dracula is at the same time pulled directly from the pages of the book and made its own entity.  His performance in all of the forms that Coppula invents for him is an impressive feat on its own, but the emotion that he brings to the table gives it an extra punch!

#3.  Bella Lugosi – Dracula (1931)

 What's the Movie?

The echoes of this pop phenomenon still resound in the public conscious, and it’s little wonder why.  This Dracula film may not be quite as good as its predecessor, Nosferatu, but it’s arguably much more iconic.  Nowadays the old Universal monsters come off a little bit silly, but actually watching the 1930’s Dracula gives one an idea of what it was like when people took these monsters seriously.

 Why is Bella Lugosi a Great Dracula?

Bella Lugosi may not have been the original cinematic Dracula, but his performance in the 1931 motion picture, Dracula, shaped the character as we know him today; he is what people think about when they think about Dracula.  All of the best, most memorable, Dracula’s that have risen to the screen have been influenced to some extent by his performance.  Why?  Because Dracula just wouldn’t be the same if he wasn’t a little bit like Bella Lugosi.

Thanks for reading! If you think you might be living next to a vampire or nosferatu you can follow us on social media or email me at atchleyosaurus@gmail.com.  Check back this weekend for more fun movie blogs!