monster mash >  movie monsters > dracula

Starring in approximately 16 films, the character of Count Dracula first officially appeared on film in 1931 played by another mysterious character, actor Bela Lugosi. Dracula was adapted by F.W Murnau in 1922's Nosferatu, a German movie that was considered an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel. Since Murnau never got permission from Stoker's heirs to use Stoker's work, the character of Count Dracula was given a different name - Count Orlok.

The character of Count Dracula came off as an aristocratic nobleman, but was really an evil being that had superhuman qualities. He was able to transform into animals, had the strength of twenty men, and possessed eternal life. However, his powers had a limit -  especially during daylight hours.

Bela Lugosi was the most popular actor to play Count Dracula, but there had been several actors who got the opportunity to portray him. Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1992 created a very sexy Dracula. George Hamilton was an over-the-top Dracula in Love at First Bite in 1979. And Leslie Nielsen was a funny Count in Dracula: Dead and Loving It in 1995.

Count Orlok

Dracula's face was a strong - a very strong - aquiline, with high bridge of the thin nose and peculiarly arched nostrils; with lofty domed forehead, and hair growing scantily round the temples, but profusely elsewhere. His eyebrows were very massive, almost meeting over the nose, and with bushy hair that seemed to curl in its own profusion.

– Jonathan Harker's Journal, Dracula, Chapter 2

                         Christopher Lee                         Bela Lugosi  1931                         

                    Gary Oldman 1992                         Gerard Butler's Count

^ back to top