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Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan ... see more see more... , Herbert Bunston , Frances Dade , Charles Gerrard , Joan Standing , Moon Carroll , Josephine Velez , Eduardo Arozamena , Daisy Belmore , Carmen Guerrero , Tony Isbert , Helga Liné , Barry Norton , Pablo Álvarez Rubio , Tina Sáinz , Lupita Tovar , Michael Visaroff , Manuel Arbo

"I am....Drac-u-la. I bid you velcome." Thus does Bela Lugosi declare his presence in the 1931 screen version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Director Tod Browning invests most of his mood and atmosphere in... read more read more... the first two reels, which were based on the original Stoker novel; the rest of the film is a more stagebound translation of the popular stage play by John Balderston and Hamilton Deane. Even so, the electric tension between the elegant Dracula and the vampire hunter Professor Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) works as well on the screen as it did on the stage. And it's hard to forget such moments as the lustful gleam in the eyes of Mina Harker (Helen Chandler) as she succumbs to the will of Dracula, or the omnipresent insane giggle of the fly-eating Renfield (Dwight Frye). Despite the static nature of the final scenes, Dracula is a classic among horror films, with Bela Lugosi giving the performance of a lifetime as the erudite Count (both Lugosi and co-star Frye would forever after be typecast as a result of this film, which had unfortunate consequences for both men's careers). Compare this Dracula to the simultaneously filmed Spanish-language version, which makes up for the absence of Lugosi with a stronger sense of visual dynamics in the lengthy dialogue sequences. In 1999, a special rerelease of Dracula was prepared featuring a new musical score written by Philip Glass and performed by The Kronos Quartet. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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42 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: Tod Browning

Release Date: January 1, 1931

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DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (1,836)

  • fb100000257973100
    May 11, 2012
    fb100000257973100
    To look at this film with the eyes of someone who has grown up with horror films that had the advantage of hitting more nerves than a doctor, it is difficult to look at this film as a horror film. But, that should not suggest that this is a terrible film. Oh, no. No. No. In fact,... read more to put it mildly, this is a great film and one that proves again that the time for great horror films was in the thirties to sixties and by Universal.
    The story of this film every living person knows of and that is a reason why this film does not have the punch it could have had. This film is one of pure influence on pop culture from the stander of a vampire to the way the character of Dracula is presented. As such, the images that made this film great have been bastardize over time. However, if you are able to block out the ways in which this film has been ruined, what you are left with is a film the is eerie, creepy, and sort of like watching a Nightmarish stage play.
    Tod Browning is probably the best man at the time to do this film. With the rise of horror films and Hollywood wanting to make an official version of Dracula (already in existence at the time was F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu), a typical director would have made a straight adaption which would be good, but would be compared to Nosferatu (granted, in the 1990's Francis Ford Coppola would go on to make another straight adaption). Basing this film on the stage play, what we get is a version of the tale that flows more easily, gives the impression that this is real, and provides people with a feel of eeriness. Granted, by today's standards, something like rubber bats being flown around the screen are aggravating and just ridiculous. But that is all part of the magic of the film: to make it seem more like it is on stage. With that in mind, Browning does a wonderful job with this film.
    Now, there is one thing I must talk about: Bela Lugosi's performance as the evil Count Dracula. Like with the direction, I am glad Lugosi did not have himself look like Max Shrek at all. While that look worked for Shrek, this Dracula works because he is presented as a typical man. Just like the random guy you will meet while walking down the road. Then you have Lugosi's voice that as now become a staple for all Dracula's: thick accent, slow speech, very charming. It is rumored and is a myth that Lugosi could not speak English during the making of this film. Well, that is kind of false seeing as how he lived in America for about a bloody decade. So, why did he make Dracula speak in the way he does? Simple: Dracula has spent years studying English, but rarely gets a chance to use it. Seeing as how he lives in Romania, he has to speak the native tongue in that area to get around. Same thing with his movements: creepy, a little nerve racking, and always disturbing. Even more when he fixes his eyes and the penlight shines in them.
    It is quite sad that I rarely hear anything about Dwight Frye's performance as Renfield. Next to Lugosi's, Frye's is the best in the entire film. The reason is due to how he changes on a dime from being insane to being completely normal. If anything, he is more disturbing than Dracula. Mainly with his cracked voice, his laugh, and the way he acts when describing what Dracula has offered him. Watching his performance is like meeting something of a real lunatic in today's age. As I said: pity he is not recognized enough anymore.
    This being a horror film, is it scary? No. Not at all. But is it a great film? Yes, due to the accomplishments it created in the horror genre, the impact it has left on people, and the way it set the stander for all Vampire films. Granted, this film is heavily outdated with some of the most overacting I have ever seen, but come on. This was made in the 1930's and most of these people (mainly the extras) were probably taken from the Broadway show. So, this was to be expected. But if this film has proven anything, it is that Bela Lugosi is still the true modern Dracula.
  • FilmFanatik
    November 1, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    As with Boris Karloff's role in Frankenstein, Dracula forever-defined Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula - something that brought him great fame and fortune yet haunted him through all of his career. Tod Browning's 1931 adaptation of the stage play was a big hit in the U.S., despite th... read moreere being a superior version shot simultaneously in Spanish for the foreign market. Dwight Frye's portrayal of Renfield has never been more creepy and Edward Van Sloan as Van Helsing has rarely been beaten. This film is so beautiful to look at despite its age, and it's one that continues to play regularly in my home every Halloween.
  • WrenchLT
    May 16, 2011
    WrenchLT
    You may chuckle at the sight of the fake looking bats and the over-theactrical acting, you may even nod off due to the slow-pacing, but this film is an undeniable classic and highly influencial on the horror genre. It may have lost its scare appeal but it does retain its eerie go... read morethic atmosphere.
  • skeletonking101
    October 30, 2010
    skeletonking101
    bela lugosi did a fantastic job as dracula but this movie was such a disappointment. now ive read the book before and the whole movie just fell flat to me. Now it wasnt terrible ive seen worse but this movie is just not that entertaining to sit down and watch
  • ajv2688
    September 3, 2010
    ajv2688
    Lugosi's famous role, Dracula, will never be played this way again. He is brilliant, and this movie is spectacular. I love it.
  • sanjurosamurai
    August 30, 2010
    sanjurosamurai
    this classic never gets old, and in fact seems to become even more charming with time. so simple, but highly entertaining, the film contains perfect characterizations and a short and manageable running time. this will forever be a horror staple.
  • cosmo313
    April 2, 2010
    cosmo313
    Ah yes, along with the two Frankenstein films by James Whale, this is one of the most important and influential horror films not only of its time, but all time. This is really Lugosi's show,providing the characterization that has basically become the definitive one any time someo... read morene mentions or thinks of Dracula-from the look to the mannerisms, and voice. Dwight Frye is also very good as the maniacial Renfield, given the second best performance of the film. This is more of a chiller than a gruesome slasher type film. It's creepy, atmospheric, moody, and has a very ethereal quality about it. All of this is supported by great art direction, set design, lighting, and the absence of music. This was one of the first sound films, and, aside from the titles, there's no other music, and very little other sound, save for dialogue and some of the sound effects. This adds to the atmosphere, but also makes it hard to sit through. Indeed, considering its length, this is a slow film, and I'll admit i had a hard time getting through it. Despite all that though, this is one of those films that is required viewing hands down.
  • ythelastman89
    December 13, 2009
    ythelastman89
    For its time, it is great. While I am not a fan of Bela Lugosi's Dracula at all, the rest of the film is almost flawless. Renfield was always the creepiest character, his eyes and crazy make-up is just so bizarre. The look and style is still amazing to this day. It is perfectly o... read moreutfitted in the gothic tone.
  • flixsterman
    July 18, 2009
    flixsterman
    The genesis of Universal's classic horror era, Todd Browning's Dracula has, sadly, not withstood the test of time quite as well as it's namesake. Even so, Lugosi's performance is nothing short of iconic and is still considered the definitive personification of what a vamp... read moreire is supposed to be. This might be the most influential film ever made.
  • phubbs1
    May 22, 2009
    phubbs1
    The original classic, this is beautiful stuff, Lugosi is awesome and the look is terrific. Its not really sexy as some Dracs are but the acting is just great. There's just something about the old black and white horror flicks.

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Critic Reviews

October 15, 2008
TIME Magazine

An exciting melodrama, not as good as it ought to be but a cut above the ordinary trapdoor-and-winding-sheet type of mystery film. Full Review

Variety Staff
October 7, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

A sublimated ghost story related with all surface seriousness and above all with a remarkably effective background of creepy atmosphere. Full Review

Dave Kehr
September 25, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The opening scenes, set in Dracula's castle, are magnificent -- grave, stately, and severe. But the film becomes unbearably static once the action moves to England. Full Review

Mordaunt Hall
May 20, 2003
Mordaunt Hall, New York Times

With Mr. Browning's imaginative direction and Mr. Lugosi's makeup and weird gestures, this picture succeeds to some extent in its grand guignol intentions. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Dracula deserves its status as a classic, although one might be tempted to append the word 'lesser' to that label. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Certainly it is Lugosi's performance, and the cinematography of Karl Freund, that make Tod Browning's film such an influential Hollywood picture. Full Review

Dan Jardine
July 21, 2010
Dan Jardine, Cinemania

Lugosi's seminal performance and the striking opening act are what distinguish Browning's version of the classic tale. Full Review

Tim Brayton
October 6, 2009
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

A perfect example of the worst traits of Hollywood films in the early sound era. Full Review

Cole Smithey
May 8, 2009
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Stark, cold, and deeply sensual, "Dracula's" atmosphere and intention is rooted in a fear of unknown lust and desire from which there can be no escape. To view "Dracula" is to be bitten by the vampire... Full Review

Steve Biodrowski
November 24, 2008
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter

A classic despite numerous flaws. Full Review

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    • Count Dracula: I bid you welcome.
    • Count Dracula: Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make.
    • Count Dracula: There are far worse things awaiting man than death.
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Dracula Trivia

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  • Bela Lugosi was the original dracula, when he died in 1956 what was he wearing when he was buried?  Answer »
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