At home I have two different versions of Dracula films that were based on the Broadway play. The first was in 1931 starring Bela Lugosi at the time when Universal Studios came about.
I do like the girl travelling in the carriage with Renfield. I think the book she was reading out loud was an English Bradshaw's Guide as in the novel Jonathan Harker finds the count lying on a sofa reading that very same book. This film does show representation of Hungarian and Romanian superstition when Renfield meets the local residents living in a nearby village. Even though prior to the film it did look as though the part of the vampire count was written for Mr. Lugosi as he played the role so many times both stage and screen. His presence is undeniably grand.
The grand interior of the the counts castle is grand and furnished well. Mr. Lugosi's eyes and stare is very hypnotic that you can't seem to look away from him. There's something about them that draws you in. I loved the 20's & 30's time setting for London and the choice for the evening weather: London night fog, adds drama to the scenery. For some productions two characters can be merged into one character. Jonathan Harker has the personality of Arthur Holmwood. Mina's friend Lucy Westernra's death was very swift. When Dracula visited Mina she began to change but kept her humanity intact which I am glad it helped her father Dr. Seward, Jonathan Harker and Van Helsing a bit further more especially when Van Helsing figured out who or what Dracula really is. Normally this isn't done quick usually with time and frustrated patients. Lucy did become a vampire but Mina made Van Helsing to save Lucy's soul as well as hers. But we can pretty much know what is Lucy's fate is going to be. Stake her and Lucy's soul will be free. They must be quick or else Mina's soul will be lost to them let alone her life. All because Van Helsing promised Mina to save her life. It is now a race against time before Mina becomes a vampire. But I think before all that Van Helsing must have driven a stake through Lucy's heart and saved her soul. Now Lucy can rest in peace. But now in order to save Mina's life, Van Helsing drove a stake through Dracula's heart and is now free from Dracula's influence. Although we don't see the staking as it'll be too gruesome for those of fainted heart. Throughout this film most of the actors performances were exquisite and brilliant. But for some they didn't have the talent.
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