Who is your favorite movie Dracula?

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Mary_Gail_36

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Since Halloween was a few days ago (and TCM aired a number of the old Hammer Horror films) I was curious which actor do you like the best as Dracula?

For me it’s Christopher Lee.

I used to watch him as a young girl (12-13) and enjoyed being scared! I recently saw his first Dracula film. So menacing, yet so elegant gliding up and down the stairs.

The one thing that confused me, why did Castle Dracula have glass windows if Dracula was so adverse to sunlight? One would think he’d board them up or something. 😃

And for an honorable mention, I also enjoyed Morgan Freeman as Vincent the Vegetable Vampire on the Electric Company circa 1974.

Here he is:

youtube.com/watch?v=c99NfY7S1aA

I needed to sleep in my parents’ room that night!!
 
My sentimental favorite would have to be Bela Lugosi of course, but artistically I liked Gary Oldman.
 
This is really old school, but as a little kid I actually saw excerpts from the 1922 film that starred Max Schreck. It scared the living daylights out of me, and I have never forgotten it. Maybe because he looks more like what I always pictured as a demon, I guess.
 
John Carradine (House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula) was the closest to the book in appearance and manners. Lugosi and Lee are excellent in their own ways.
 
  1. Christopher Lee
  2. Christopher Lee
  3. Christopher Lee
Lugosi was also good in a very different way. Jack Palance, who played Dracula in a 1970s made for TV movie adaptation that heavily referenced the history of Vlad Tepes, did a very good job.
 
Convert1 said:
This is really old school, but as a little kid I actually saw excerpts from the 1922 film that starred Max Schreck. It scared the living daylights out of me, and I have never forgotten it. Maybe because he looks more like what I always pictured as a demon, I guess.
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That film is on my list of films to see!
 
Definitely the early 90s Dracula, (Gary Oldman).

Imo, he had the best portrayal of the 3 different forms Dracula can take on, the decrepit old man look, his early 30s look, and of course the 7ft tall furry bat, that scene in the bedroom when he turns into this huge bat, and lights the crucifix on fire by just blowing on it, was great!
 
Gary Oldman is probably the best, followed closely by the great Christopher Lee. However depending on the mood I’m in, I also really enjoy Leslie Nielsen’s and Luke Evans’ portrayals as well.
 
Bela Lugosi is my favorite Dracula. Gary Oldham would be my 2nd pick. I have not seen the 1922 version.
 
Chalk up another one for Lugosi… His genuine Hungarian accent was what did it for me. He’s the best.
 
colliric said:
Chalk up another one for Lugosi… His genuine Hungarian accent was what did it for me. He’s the best.
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Although the Hammer Dracula films seem to be set in Romania, everyone has a British accent.

I like Christopher Lee’s Dracula, because he didn’t fake a Romanian accent, he just spoke with his booming, baritone, British accent.

Sadly he didn’t really enjoy playing Dracula, except for the first version. He was under contract, and was forced to do them. There’s one film where he refused to speak any of the dialogue because he thought it was awful writing. So he just hissed his way through them.
 
I have a soft spot for Lugosi. I watch that movie every Halloween (except this year to my shame). I like Lee, Langella, and Oldman in the role too but nobody beats Lugosi. He’s so iconic, even if other versions are more like Stoker’s character.

Also, not going to lie, I got a kick out of Adam Sandler’s version in Hotel Transylvania 😛
Convert1 said:
This is really old school, but as a little kid I actually saw excerpts from the 1922 film that starred Max Schreck. It scared the living daylights out of me, and I have never forgotten it. Maybe because he looks more like what I always pictured as a demon, I guess.
Click to expand...
If we’re counting Schreck’s Count Orlock in Nosferatu then we have to include Klaus Kinski as Dracula in the 70’s remake. That movie was really creepy and for that take on the character Klaus nailed it.
 
I was looking if Boris Karloff ever played Dracula, and found out that his actual name was William Henry Pratt! Boris Karloff was his stage name.

For a bit he and Christopher Lee lived next door to each other.
 
Mary_Gail_36 said:
I was looking if Boris Karloff ever played Dracula, and found out that his actual name was William Henry Pratt! Boris Karloff was his stage name.

For a bit he and Christopher Lee lived next door to each other.
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Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
 
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