Dracula

Name: Dracula
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Released: February 14, 1931
Duration: 75 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Anna Bakacs, Bela Lugosi, Charles K. Gerrard, David Manners, Dwight Frye

1931

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Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: February 14, 1931 | Passed

Starring: Anna Bakacs, Bela Lugosi, Charles K. Gerrard, David Manners, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Frances Dade, Helen Chandler, Herbert Bunston, Joan Standing

Summary: After a naive real estate agent succumbs to the will of Count Dracula, the two head to London where the vampire sleeps in his coffin by day and searches for potential victims by night.

Director: Karl Freund and Tod Browning

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Rating: Passed

Runtime: 75 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

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

Empire Angie Errigo

There have been many Draculas. But the one against which all others are measured is Bela Lugosi. Tod Browning's 1931 film is stagey and creaky, but it also has wonderful, unforgettable moments. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

On the screen it comes out as a sublimated ghost story related with all surface seriousness and above all with a remarkably effective background of creepy atmosphere. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Despite having been directed by Tod Browning, the classic 1931 version of the oft-told horror tale suffers from a poor script, a deservedly forgotten supporting cast and a stately pace better suited to silent films. But it does have the suavely sinister Bela Lugosi and superb cinematography by Karl Freund. [09 Sep 1990, p.22]

Staff (Not Credited)

Not by any means the masterpiece of fond memory or reputation, although the first twenty minutes are astonishingly fluid and brilliantly shot by Karl Freund, despite the intrusive painted backdrops. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Universal's classic from 1931, directed by Tod Browning. 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, and much of the morbid sexual tension is dissipated. Read full review

Pauline Kael

This first American version, directed by Tod Browning, was adapted from a play based on the Bram Stoker novel, rather than from the novel itself, and it becomes too stagey.

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User Reviews

ComandanteCobra

Nov 3, 2022

A classic movie for horror fans.
I watched it 90 years later after it's original release, after reccomendation from Cinemassacre monster madness.
It's not the best of Universal classic monsters, because it is verbose,slow and with few locations but it is a must watch for his relevance inA classic movie for horror fans.
I watched it 90 years later after it's original release, after reccomendation from Cinemassacre monster madness.
It's not the best of Universal classic monsters, because it is verbose,slow and with few locations but it is a must watch for his relevance in Vampire movies… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HellHoleHorror

Feb 15, 2022

Quite nice picture but not the best in terms of amazing sets etc. Quite good sound for the time, interesting score. I liked the original music. The Spanish language version is essentially a totally different movie. I'm reviewing the original version. I thought that it was so cool and amazingQuite nice picture but not the best in terms of amazing sets etc. Quite good sound for the time, interesting score. I liked the original music. The Spanish language version is essentially a totally different movie. I'm reviewing the original version. I thought that it was so cool and amazing to start with but when it left Transylvania I became disinterested.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

maskedrider29

Oct 24, 2022

Not a fan of this movie. Not really a fan of vampires in general. But this one I gave a 4-star rating simply because Bela Lugosi's performance is phenomenal.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

imthenoob

Oct 16, 2020

Lugosi owns the role of Dracula but this movie was honestly a bit of a letdown. Lugosi is noticeably absent in the second half as the story focuses more on Van Helsing and company trying to defeat him. And the short runtime doesn't allow the story to really develop, It's just a rapid-fireLugosi owns the role of Dracula but this movie was honestly a bit of a letdown. Lugosi is noticeably absent in the second half as the story focuses more on Van Helsing and company trying to defeat him. And the short runtime doesn't allow the story to really develop, It's just a rapid-fire pace that never really lets the story breath. I honestly really wanted to like this but I walked away very disappointed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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