The Original Lugosi Version Dracula

[Type3Toys]

I watched this dvd today and cant get over how trully fantastic this film is.
In todays market, with all the blood and effects, this 1930's film still holds up, IMO. Although it shows little gore, it is still a scary film. What is implied in this movie is just as frightening as what can be made to look real in todays movies. I love some of the classic lines Bela has, "I never drink...wine" or
"children of the night, what music they make", or "there are far worse things awaiting man than death". They just go on and on!

[Werewolf]

It is an amazing film.

[Meule]

His eyes, the music, his lines, ... it all makes this such a scary movie. The way they did it, is brilliant

[Hector]

Overall, the Spanish language version is technically superior (richer shadows, better camera angles, superior editing, etc...), and it's a lot more risqué (the women, lol)...however, because of Bela Lugosi, and Bela Lugosi only...the English language Dracula trumps the Spanish one...I just hated Carlos "chubby little fingers" Villarías as Dracula (overacting galore)...I thought he was just comical...not mesmerizing like Lugosi.

Villarías...and his stubby little hands...
http://www.bocadoinferno.com/romepeige/artigos/invasores/tropas/drac6.jpg


Bela Lugosi...and his amazing...creepy...and long elegant fingers...
http://www.thelope.com/images/bela1.jpg

:smiley13:

[Hector]

Although I find Max Schreck as Nosferatu creepier than Bela Lugosi's Dracula...

http://ferncanyonpress.com/vampires/images/schreck.jpg

:googly:

[Hector]

Big fan of both films.

[Hector]

I find it beyond amazing that the leading lady, Lupita Tovar...of the 1931 Spanish language Dracula...is still alive...WOW...

http://www.sign-here.com/gifs/images/h110.jpg
http://media.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2008/feb/lupita2_200.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupita_Tovar

Lupita has a daughter, Susan Kohner, who was nominated for an Oscar before Kohner retired in 1964 to marry designer John Weitz. Also, her grandchildren, Chris and Paul Weitz, are successful film directors in Hollywood, having helmed films such as American Pie, Antz, The Nutty Professor, and About a Boy.

Wow...from Dracula to the American Pie connection, lol.

Here she is last year...

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0eHe7BKb1m2rL/610x.jpg

That's a GREAT-looking 97 year old!!!

:terror: :terror: :terror:

[Bizarro Amy]

Is the Spanish language version available with subtitles? Now I want to watch it just to see the differences. Is the dialogue pretty much the same? If it is, I could probably watch it without.

[ramsey37]

Is the Spanish language version available with subtitles? Now I want to watch it just to see the differences. Is the dialogue pretty much the same? If it is, I could probably watch it without.
The Spanish Dracula is available as part of Universal's Dracula Legacy set and is subtitled.
George :feiertag-smiley-003

[Hector]

:yeah:

[Hector]

Is the Spanish language version available with subtitles? Now I want to watch it just to see the differences. Is the dialogue pretty much the same? If it is, I could probably watch it without.

Check this out, Del...

YouTube - Dracula: The Superior 1931 Vampire Classic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8txyRhZ-o9c)

:smiley13:

[kingdom warrior]

Overall, the Spanish language version is technically superior (richer shadows, better camera angles, superior editing, etc...), and it's a lot more risqué (the women, lol)...however, because of Bela Lugosi, and Bela Lugosi only...the English language Dracula trumps the Spanish one...I just hated Carlos "chubby little fingers" Villarías as Dracula (overacting galore)...I thought he was just comical...not mesmerizing like Lugosi.

Villarías...and his stubby little hands...
http://www.bocadoinferno.com/romepeige/artigos/invasores/tropas/drac6.jpg


Bela Lugosi...and his amazing...creepy...and long elegant fingers...
http://www.thelope.com/images/bela1.jpg

:smiley13: Agree The Spanish version is spectacular to see but Lugosi is the reason the American version is remembered. had lugosi starred in the Spanish version we wold be speaking of that movie even more today.

There is an Ultimate version of Dracula which includes the Spanish language version. A Must have For Dracula fans

[kingdom warrior]

By The way Mexican Cinema during that time and up to the sixties easily Rivaled Hollywood for quality Movies and Stars. If Fell apart when the studio system came to an end.

[Hector]

Agreed.

Although big guns like Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuarón, and Alejandro González Iñárritu...are bringing back pride back to Mexican cinema.

:grin:

[Hector]

Agree The Spanish version is spectacular to see but Lugosi is the reason the American version is remembered. had lugosi starred in the Spanish version we wold be speaking of that movie even more today.

There is an Ultimate version of Dracula which includes the Spanish language version. A Must have For Dracula fans

My favorite DVD box set...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/3152398054_78f7f9e856.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/3152398190_0147c9a86e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/3151563541_4e2cbdb805.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/3151563825_21ea87f2b4.jpg

:grin:

[kryptosmaster]

Although I find Max Schreck as Nosferatu creepier than Bela Lugosi's Dracula...

http://ferncanyonpress.com/vampires/images/schreck.jpg

:googly:

That guy used to creep me out big time. I was scared to death of him. He looked a lot like the vampires in that Salems Lot tv movie from the 70's. That scared me too.
Rich

[kingdom warrior]

Agreed.

Although big guns like Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuarón, and Alejandro González Iñárritu...are bringing back pride back to Mexican cinema.

:grin:
Absolutely!! Nuevo Cine Mexicano the movement started in the 90's till now.Has brought it back to it's former Glory and Breathed new Life into Spanish Hollywood!

[kingdom warrior]

My favorite DVD box set...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/3152398054_78f7f9e856.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/3152398190_0147c9a86e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/3151563541_4e2cbdb805.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/3151563825_21ea87f2b4.jpg

:grin:
Damn!!! That's Sweet!!!!!

[Hector]

:smiley13:

[TEXASFETT]

A Hector when did that big box set go for, and when did it come out?I would love to get my hands on one.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I have to admit that Dracula is my least favorite of the classic Universal movies, despite Lugosi, who was of course great and iconic in the role. Besides the cinematic first parts at Castle Dracula, the movie sticks way too close to the stage play. Everything is filmed sideways like a bad sitcom. From what I've seen of the Spanish film, it actually looks like a movie and is very atmospheric.

It's been several years since I watched Lugosi's Dracula, so maybe I wouldn't be so harsh on it now. But there were plenty of other great movies made at the time that don't seem so stiff, so the age of the movie is no excuse. Just look at Frankenstein made the very next year!

But Lugosi was great as Drac. Not like the novel much, but created a great character in his own right.

Chris

[palitoy]

I'm with Chris, I find the movie slow and hard to watch but I love Lugosi, it bugs me he isn't in the "House of" series or that he never appeared in any of the Dracula sequels.

[Hector]

A Hector when did that big box set go for, and when did it come out?I would love to get my hands on one.

universal monsters collection dvd, DVDs Movies items on eBay.com (http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_sopZ10?_nkw=universal+monsters+collection+dv d&_sacat=0&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=mego&_osacat=0)

Wow...they are pretty pricey now...I paid $70 when it first came out.

I'm sure if you are patient and shop around...you'll find a decent priced set.

I would bookmark that page, and check it out once in a while.

[Hector]

I'm with Chris, I find the movie slow and hard to watch but I love Lugosi, it bugs me he isn't in the "House of" series or that he never appeared in any of the Dracula sequels.

Dracula is indeed my least favorite film in that boxed collection...but I still like it.

...and yes...too bad he never played that role again...he was fantastic.

[ramsey37]

Dracula is indeed my least favorite film in that boxed collection...but I still like it.

...and yes...too bad he never played that role again...he was fantastic.
He *did* play Dracula in one other movie: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. While the movie is played for laughs, Lugosi gives a great turn as the Count.
George :feiertag-smiley-003

[palitoy]

He *did* play Dracula in one other movie: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. While the movie is played for laughs, Lugosi gives a great turn as the Count.
George :feiertag-smiley-003

Yeah, I need to get that movie.

[Hector]

He *did* play Dracula in one other movie: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. While the movie is played for laughs, Lugosi gives a great turn as the Count.
George :feiertag-smiley-003

Oh yeah, I forgot about that one, lol.

:grin:

[Earth 2 Chris]

The movie that scarred me for life. Saw Lon Chane Jr. change into the Wolfman at 4 years old and FLIPPED OUT. Scared to death of any and all horror movies, and werewolves in particular, for years. Just goes to show you, you never know what will mess up a kid!

We watched it in school in like 4th grade and by then I was over it thank goodness.:biggrin:

Chris

[Gorn Captain]

I love these old movies.
Just look at all the loving attention they gave to the sets and costumes.
That atmosphere was fantastic.

No matter how good CGI effects may be, there's nothing like those handcrafted sets, with real/fake cobwebs.
I seem to be one of the few collectors over here that actually likes classic monsters, cause that DVD box with the monster busts included were being sold here last year for $30...

[jasonmego1277]

I actually have this on DVD too. It really is a very good film. I have the original Universal release , not The Legacy Collection release. My Complaint is with the Picture quality being so poor on a Classic like this. I am not sure the legacy release is any better. Does Anyone know ? When I was knee high Or three apples tall , This thing scared me to no end. Ever since almost every Halloween I was Vampire. I am still fascinated with any and all things Vampire..... All because of this Classic gem.

[madmarva]

Like some others I admire Lugosi's performance but find the original Dracula very hard to sit through today, although I generally watch it and most of the other Universal movies each October, just to get in the Halloween mood.

Those mentioning the technical superiority of the Spanish version of Dracula made me wonder what Frankenstein director James Whale would have done with Dracula and Lugosi as a star.

We'll never know but he really hit the ball out of the park with Bride of Frankenstein, which actually follows the novel a bit more closely than the first film.