Which actor do you consider the best Dracula?

[Earth 2 Chris]

^ He was Drac in the Spanish version Universal made concurrently with Bela's Dracula, using the same sets. The movie itself is much better, more atmospheric, less rigid direction. But Bela he ain't. Most fans who have seen it lament that Bela didn't get Carlos' director!

Chris

[Meule]

No one's mentioned Carlos Villarķas?

He was the best Dracula... you know... in Spanish.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ksYWfOP5e-...ulaspanish.jpg

To my shame I must admit I don't know him, but from what I see he looks a lot like Bela

[LadyZod]

No one's mentioned Carlos Villarķas?

He was the best Dracula... you know... in Spanish.

[trekman101]

Many actors have played Dracula and I think they have all done very fine jobs...it's hard to pick one over the other...it probably depends what mood your in

[Brue]

so no votes for LN?

[JediJaida]

It's kind of hard to pick just ONE. Many actors have taken on the role, and done a wonderful job of it.

While he wasn't strictly Dracula, I have to say that Max Schreck as Nosferatu was definitely the least human and most frightening of the batch.

With that bald head, pointy rabbit fangs, big pointed ears, and LONG scary claw/fingers, he would scare the pants off of most people.

The other really good actors to play Dracula include Bela, Lee, Langella, and Jordan.

[clemso]

[PNGwynne]

Just rewatched Lugosi--pretty impressive considering it was the first Universal horror talkie. If Tod Browning hadn't phoned the direction in, it could have been top-drawer like Whale's films.

Love the total package of Coppola's version, btw. And I had forgotton about Franco's version with Lee--cool!

[wilbs518]

Without a doubt Bela. Oldman was great, too.

[Hector]

Gary Oldman

I agree as well...

[Goblin19]

I love Bela, but Christopher Lee is just perfect for the role. I never thought anyone would be better than Bela, but Lee is the best Dracula in the best Dracula movie IMO (Horror of Dracula).

[Werewolf]

Louis Jourdan is surprisingly good (BBC version)!

People like Lee--he is dynamic but actually pretty one-dimensional.

Thank you!!

People always praise Lee as Dracula but there is really very little personality or depth to the performance. Lee is a great actor but didn't really care for the role and it shows.

I've got to go with Lugosi--iconic, probably why Dracula has survived as a character in pop culture, and a nuanced perfomance considering the limitations of language & direction.

I totally agree. He did an amazing job and can express so much just with his facial expressions and hands. Leagues above what Lee did in the part.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I have the utmost respect for Bela's performance, but Lee's Dracula is just more effective to me. He's MEAN and scary.

I recently saw Jack Palance's turn, and he did a great job. A different take. More animalistic with some pathos, without getting into the weepy stuff like Oldman had to do.

Duncan Regher from the Monster Squad was a good Drac. Good combo of the suave Lugosi type and the evil Lee.

Chris

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I kinda liked the guy from "The Monster Squad."

Don C.

[fallensaviour]

I am torn I love Belas presence on screen and he oozes Dracula but lee scared the crap out of me as a kid he is Evil on film.
Dracula,Dooku and Saruman...That's just Iconic man.