GREATEST VAMPIRE MOVIE EVER?

[SpankRamen]

I want all of you to tell me what you think the greatest vampire movie was/is. Right now, I'm in a "Blade" mood, but that is liable to change. What's your input?

[Tom Smith Monsternut]

I like The Night Stalker TV movie myself But Of coarse Bela's Dracula is #1 in my book.

Tom

[Grape]

I gotta say Lugosi's "Dracula".

The things that make vampires frightening in ways different from other types of  monsters are all beautifully demostrated in it. The way the Count seems so cultered and sophistitcated one minute (in the parlour or the theatre) and then a few minutes later he's at either Lucy or Mina's bedside engaging in unspeakable horrific acts! And the way he just stands there hearing everything (on the balcony or behind a tree) without moving a muscle or batting an eye, waiting for the proper moment to strike!

GREATEST VAMPIRE MOVIE EVER: The '31 Drac! No doubt about it.

[neonnoodle]

Horror of Dracula is definitely one of my favorites.  There's a lot of good vampire films, and that's the first one that comes to mind!

[monsterphile]

I like The Night Stalker TV movie myself But Of coarse Bela's Dracula is #1 in my book.

Tom

I, too, like  the original NIGHT STALKER telefilm.  Janos Skorzeny, played by Barry Atwater,  had a menace like Christopher Lee's Dracula.  Although Lugosi's Drac is iconic for the character, I never thought he was scary per se.  Despite the naysaying, I really like BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA and the original SALEMS LOT with the Nosferatu-like Kurt Barlow.   Sorry I couldn't give just one favorite.  It's just never that easy.

Rob

[raycastile]

I think Bela is the greatest screen vampire, followed by Max Schreck then Christopher Lee.  But for my favorite vampire films, I would list them in reverse order: Horror of Dracula, Nosferatu and Dracula.  I might put Bram Stoker's Dracula in fourth place.  Other worthy contenders are Black Sabbath, The Night Stalker, Herzog's Nosferatu and some of the Hammer Dracula sequels.

[Nicole]

My favorite vampire films are definitely the Hammer films with Christopher Lee. Lugosi immortalized the character, but I still like Lee's portrayal better. So my favorite vampire movies in order would be: Horror of Dracula, Dracula, Murnau's Nosferatu, Herzog's Nosferatu The Vampyre, and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Also, while not "traditional" vampire films, another honorable mention would be the Mr. Vampire movies, which are a Chinese take on the vampire mythos, mixed with Hong Kong martial arts and slapstick comedy. One of these days, I also want to get around to watching Polanski's Fearless Vampire Killers. Has anyone here ever seen that one?

[Gary D Macabre]

While I do really enjoy the Hammer films and Christopher Lee's portrayal, as movies go I really never felt they were that good.  They seem to lose steam as the movie progresses and then come to an abrupt end leaving the viewer feeling kind of cheated. 

[poseablemonster]

One of these days, I also want to get around to watching Polanski's Fearless Vampire Killers. Has anyone here ever seen that one?

I watched it and really hated it.  It is a lot of slapstick, but it just came across to me as poorly executed slapstick.  I know that a lot of people like the film, and I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I thought it was just plain horrible.

[poseablemonster]

Bela Lugosi was the greatest Dracula, but it wasn't the greatest film in my opinion.  "Vampyr - Der Traum des Allan Grey" (1932) is probably the most powerfully compelling vampire film that I've ever seen, followed closely by the original Nosferatu.  Oddly enough, I am not a fan of silent films. 

[The Phantom Creep]

Well it's good to hear that I'm not the only one that couldn't stand fearless Vampire Killers. I've tried a couple of times and I can't get more than about 20 minutes. It's terrible!!

I also can't stand Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Of course the Dracula with Lugosi is THE classic but I do prefer Christopher Lee as Dracula. Horror of Dracula is probably my all time favorite. The sequels aren't nearly as good. I enjoy both Nosferatu's. Vampyr is really impressive.

The Spanish version of the original is a superior film to the Lugosi version but Lugosi makes a better Drac than Villarias.

On a side note, the strangest version I've ever seen is DEAFULA from '75 which was entirely in sign language! Has anyone else here ever seen that one?

[poseablemonster]

The Spanish version of the original is a superior film to the Lugosi version but Lugosi makes a better Drac than Villarias.

My thoughts exactly.  No question that the Spanish version is a superior film other than Villarias.  If only Lugosi could have done both. 

[1975]

The Vampire Happening.


Ok, I'm kidding, I saw "Horror of Dracula" as a kid and it scared the living hell out of me, so that has always personified Vampires for me.

[Toy Ranch]

I'm a fan of Horror of Dracula and the Nosferatu films (both of them) as well.  Of course the original Lugosi film is iconic and has a place among the alltime greats.  I enjoyed El Vampiro, the 1957 Mexican vampire film with German Robles as the vampire a great deal.  It is a very passionate movie and compelling in every way.  It's worked it's way into my top 5.

[poseablemonster]

Haven't seen El Vampiro, at least I don't think I have.  I'll have to look for it.