Images like this one of Count Orlok's shadow remain haunting to viewers, even nearly a century later. From the peaceful scenes in Wisborg early in the film to the haunted halls of Count Orlok’s Transylvania castle, you will not want to take your eyes off the screen. Various names and other details were changed from the novel, including Count Draculabeing re… In Dracula, the titular character has already created vampire wives back in Transylvania, and on his first night in London, wastes no time getting down to business. Dracula has a terrific supporting cast, the most noteworthy of which being Dwight Frye as Renfield, the realtor turned deranged lunatic (and playing both sides of the coin brilliantly) and Edward Van Sloan as an aging Van Helsing, who believes in the vampire threat, and puts forth his utmost effort to stop Dracula. incrediblejeff. In Murnau’s version of this story, Hutter’s wife sacrifices herself to the vampire, letting him feed on her blood until the sun comes, and his overindulgence and gluttony results in the first rays of the rising sun disintegrating him into oblivion. Dracula and Nosferatu Bram Stoker's widow Florence Stoker, would not sell Albin Grau the rights to do an expressionistic retelling of the story of Dracula. While no one else in the rest of the cast was as well known as Schreck, they serve their purposes in this tale well enough. Dracula was originally slated to be a big budget spectacular that more closely followed Bram Stoker’s original novel, but due to the Great Depression and financial hardships for the studio, it was ultimately decided to base the film upon the successful stage play that had began its run in 1924; this was more or less a condensed, streamlined version of Stoker’s novel with a few changes to select characters, and omissions of many outright. This incarnation of Dracula is based upon a stage play, so the sets are generally smaller spaces and interiors (actually a smart move on the filmmakers’ part to save money). The name "Nosferatu" has been presented as possibly an archaic Romanian word, [citation needed] synonymous with "vampire".However, it was largely popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Western fiction such as Dracula (1897), and the film Nosferatu (1922). The court’s order was followed with amazing thoroughness. Okay, time to have some fun. However, the biggest change might be that there would have been almost no vampire movies at all. I'm just so glad they didn't manage to destroy all copies of Nosferatu! In Nosferatu, the ending is bittersweet, but a sacrifice had to be made for the victory, for the greater good. However, several changes were made in the movie in a bid to duck a copyright lawsuit. . Handsome, refined, and terrifying in a much more subtle manner, this is the best of both worlds. He had wanted to do a expressionistic retelling of the story of Dracula but the estate of Bram Stoker, spearheaded by his widow, Florence Stoker, would not sell him the rights. But that is not to say that this is a weak film by any means. One print found its way to the United States. Nosferatu – 1922. All prints of the movie were destroyed, that is, save one. This is the most obvious thing to look at when it comes to comparing the two movies; both movies have their own radically different take on the undead, largely as a result of the differences between silent films and talkies. Wonder Wheel - Woody Allen Returns, But The Results Are Below Average.... JIMMY BAIN- BASSIST OF RAINBOW, DIO, and LAST IN LINE DEAD AT AGE 68. Nosferatu vs. Bram Stoker's Dracula 5 comments. Nosferatu the Vampyre incorporated a lot of the iconic imagery from the 1922 film while adding nuance to narrative. In Dracula, the equivalent of this role is split between Renfield, who delivers the papers but become’s Dracula’s servant (which happens to Knock in Nosferatu) and John Harker, who for the rest of the film more or less remains the equivalent of Nosferatu’s Hutter. Read at your own risk. Fine performances that are ideal for the silent era coupled with brilliant set design for the era make this a classic for the ages that continues to haunt its audience nearly 100 years later. It is up to Hutter to return home and make sure his wife and town are protected from the real source of the threats at hand. locomotivebreath. Dracula has Lugosi, but Nosferatu is far more interesting as a film. Taylor T Carlson Missing Mom - The New Film from Rob McCallum! Dracula vs Nosferatu This essay gives a brief introduction to the films Nosferatu directed by F. W. Murnau and Dracula directed by Tod Browning, and a comparison between the two films. It's easy to see that Nosferatu was a direct ripoff of Bram Stoker's Dracula tale, and that caused a great deal of controversy when the film was released, prompting Stoker's heirs to sue director F.W. Winner: Dracula, The Setpieces on 4/13/2014. Nosferatu wins here, since we actually follow the same hero from beginning to end of the movie, and he gets plenty to do, not to mention more outright development. At Knock’s behest, Hutter is sent off to Transylvania to meet Count Orlok, who wishes to purchase one of Wisborg’s old abandoned properties. The film is not perfect; though very few are. It does not matter how much time passes, this will remain the ultimate Dracula movie for all time. In his role as Count Dracula, Bela Lugosi left a lasting impact on audiences around the globe. This is short by modern standards, but the brisk pacing enables the story to move along while developing the plot and the characters as necessary. The plain and simple answer is that there is not one; both movies are excellent, cinematic classics, so why not watch both this Halloween? A die-hard fan of classic rock and metal music, Taylor has been writing album and concert reviews since he was 16 years old, and continues to do so, having done well over 1,000 reviews. Serving in Serbia during WWI, Grau was inspired to make a film about vampires after speaking with local farmers about the lore. With outstanding set design and a performance for the ages by the legendary Bela Lugosi, you cannot go wrong here. John Harker is romancing young Mina, the daughter of a local sanitarium owner, but comes to discover that even she may have fallen under the vampire’s curse! It lives on and is revered as one of the genre’s all time greatest films. Dracula’s ending is a little too convenient and “happily ever after,” and leaves us with unanswered questions. Dracula's castle will leave an impression on viewers, even all these years later. Shortly after the film’s debut in 1922, Bram Stoker’s estate filed suit claiming the film was an infringement. Yet this never feels like a condensed or “lessened” version of the tale. It's Not What You Think... (by guest author Rich Larson). It is featured prominently in the scene and mentioned by name. How to increase brand awareness through consistency; Dec. 11, 2020 Other changes, however, didn’t catch on. The truth is that copyright has been creating havoc with horror movies for as long as there have been horror films, all the way back to at least 1922, when the estate of Bram Stoker, the author of the original Dracula novel, took an upstart video company that made an unlicensed adaptation of the book. In the end, it’s amazing how many elements of modern vampire lore came not from an attempt to write a better vampire tale, but rather were a failed attempt at avoiding a copyright infringement lawsuit. That is how the word vampire became Nosferatu in the movie and that Count Dracula became Count Orlok. If the two vampires from these classic films were pitted against one another, who would win? Winner: Nosferatu, The Supporting Cast Murnau’s “Nosferatu” is a traditional visual tale of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. From the moment we first see him, there is no doubt that this is our vampire, our villain, and the antagonist a story like this so desperately needs. There is no clear winner here; both movies succeed equally well in their own ways, The Setting of the Story Coppola's version pretty flawed - mostly due to the tacked on love story - but I still enjoy it. I am ... Taylor T. Carlson Reviews Def Leppard CD Collection Volume 1! At a mountain stop en route to the Count’s castle, local superstition runs rampant regarding the Count and who he really is. The look, the performances, the atmosphere; this is the definitive Dracula movie, despite countless attempts at it over the decades since. The film is an unauthorized and unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula. It is up to them to unite and stop this menace from wreaking havoc upon London. Here is a look at a few of the different aspects of the films, so we can assess which film is the winner in each category, and if there really IS a winner between the two. Both films are available on Blu-ray Disc and are easily accessible via online stores, so what are you waiting for? Lugosi’s vampire definitely has the higher body count. It omits a lot of the detective/adventure elements of the original during the big hunt for Dracula and adds the plague spreader angle. Though the book was already in the public domain in the U.S. due to an error in copyright notice (similar to the one that caused Night of the Living Dead to lapse 45 years later), in Grau’s native Germany, which was already a signatory to the Berne Convention (The U.S. would not sign until 1988), the work would not lapse until 1962, fifty years after Bram Stoker’s death. The theme has become so common that, in the more-accurate 1992 movie retelling of the book, a narrator has to explain why Dracula can walk in the daylight for a crucial scene. More importantly though, Nosferatu is the first vampire film that is known to have survived into the modern age. Again, much of this stems from the nature of the source material. Since Dracula was public domain in the United States, these copies of Nosferatu didn't need to be destroyed. All opinions given here are strictly those of the author and are for entertainment purposes only. He is also a fan of video gaming and cinema, and has reviewed a number of games and films as well, old and new alike. Winner: Dracula, The Ending: While yes, it probably meets the legal definition, it does very much make the story it's own. In Dracula, turmoil is stirred up as a result of the paranoia that spreads throughout London as a result of Dracula attacking and killing his victims. Dracula stomps. Winner: Dracula, The Mood of the Film Compare And Contrast Dracula And Nosferatu. The biggest change was the ending of the movie. Made in Germany, “Nosferatu” might actually qualify as not just the first Dracula movie but as the first genuinely Hollywood-style production because it’s a blatant rip off. To be sure, Dracula movies often show a British lawyer arriving at Castle Dracula, and Nosferatu movies might involve It's a much more moody atmosphic take. In fact, this has been hailed for years as the definitive Dracula/vampire movie. There is a scene where an Asian gang is watching "Nosferatu" (1922) in a private theatre. Vampire lore would have been very different without Nosferatu. Great review sir! In Dracula, the eponymous vampire has taken residence in an abandoned abbey in London, sleeping in his casket by days, and setting himself upon the city’s residents at night. Hideous and inhuman in appearance, Schreck becomes evil incarnate and holds nothing back. Currently, the film is available on Blu-ray Disc from Kino Video in a two-disc set that includes both an English version with English intertitles, and a German version with the original German intertitles, plus English subtitle translations. Nosferatu, on the other hand, is set in a small German village in the 1830s. I am not a lawyer and nothing on this website should be construed as legal advice. here are the property of their respective holders, including but not limited to Universal Studios, Kino Video, Prana Films, and The Estate of Bram Stoker. In this sense, the menace is much more subtle and far less obvious, which creates quite the obstacle for the film’s heroes and victims. Nosferatu is not the first film to bring vampires to the screen, but it is the first one audiences truly remember and revere as a horror classic. Congrats to you and your ... That wasn’t Frost you saw. on 1/25/2013. From our young hero to a man in town gone insane by Orlok’s curse, the cast keeps our attention. Good Evening, stay for the night as both the 1929 silent Nosferatu is examined side by side with Bela Lugosi’s audible 1931 Dracula. Blog. Murnau. Both movies take place in the famous town of Transylvania, and both share many resemblances. Unlike Count Orlok of Nosferatu, who was a hideous, impish creature, Lugosi’s Dracula is a handsome, charming gentlemen who blends seamlessly into the streets of London amongst his peers. But Bela Lugosi’s Dracula is a totally different affair altogether. Set design manages to be impressive here as well, from the haunted hallways of Transylvania and Carfax Abbey, to the interiors and exteriors of Seward Sanitarium. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. The film was very nearly lost, but survived because prints had already been circulating around the world and duplicated. The Vampire Jojo Rabbit - The Latest Comedy from Taika Waititi! Knock, the owner of the real estate company Hutter works for, is not immune to this. Since early versions of the film still included the Dracula name, proving the derivative nature of the work was not difficult and Grau was forced to both declare bankruptcy and close Prana Film, making Nosferatu the company’s only release. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Winner: Nosferatu, The Body Count: Another difference is that a bite from Orlok does not create a new vampire. Again, this differs substantially as a result of the difference between silents and talkies, and both casts have their strengths and weaknesses. These few key performances put Dracula a cut above Nosferatu in this regard. Assistant Editor/Senior Staff Writer Rather, Orlok merely kills his victims. However, in Bram Stoker’s version, sunlight was harmless to vampires, it just weakened them slightly. Of the two, Nosferatu is the superior film, and quite possibly my favorite silent film to date, well second favorite,… Comparing Nosferatu and Dracula: I Want to Suck Your Blood Left – Nosferatu movie cover. Right – Dracula movie cover. Hey Taylor, liked the review. Rank This Matchup. Lugosi’s Dracula can transform into these creatures, bite people to make them his victims, enslave people, and apparently has some degree of psychic power that he attempts to demonstrate on Van Helsing. A vampiric double feature was the order of the day yesterday, as I continue my way through 101 Horror Movies, which allowed my first full visit with Count Orlock in Nosferatu, and revisiting Lugosi in Dracula. As a silent film, this one relies much more upon visuals and the actions on screen to tell the story, and Murnau proves himself a genius in this regard from start to finish. Murnau’s silent classic, Nosferatu, was embraced by critics in 1979. Far from it, in fact! But Lugosi perfected it in Dracula with a more subtle menace, which is no less effective. Who can forget the classic horror movies forever emulated by modern-day hopefuls? Nosferatu wins here because its setting creates another challenge, albeit a less obvious one, for our heroes. I have not pick this collection up just yet. Size: 11" x 17" This item was uploaded by Bobby. Nosferatu, directed by FW Murnau, was released in 1922. Dracula was released in 1931 in sound format, as opposed to the silent format of Nosferatu. Though its clear that Nosferatu is a close retelling of Dracula with different character names, the movie made many changes to the story, some for budget reasons but most for copyright reasons. This battle not only helped shape horror movie history, but it is also something of a vampire tale unto itself. F.W. Of course, the stand out role in the film is Max Schreck as Count Orlok. In Nosferatu, Count Orlok is burned up by the sunlight. Clocking it at only around 75 minutes in its current state (an epilogue was removed following the film’s early exhibitions and is assumed to be lost), the film is quite short, but moves along at a fairly brisk pace. However, several changes were made in the movie in a bid to duck a copyright lawsuit. 4 comments. He is more or less an alternate universe version of Dracula but so much more sinister and interesting. Ugh,so hard. Murnau makes every frame of film count, whether establishing scenes of peace, or those of sheer terror. When it comes to horror, vampires are always a popular subject, and arguably the two most popular vampire movies ever made are FW Murnau’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror, a 1922 silent German film starring Max Schreck, and Tod Browning’s Dracula, a 1931 talkie starring Bela Lugosi. They share a story to the detail, you’ll see. This is one of the instances where Murnau’s changes were for the best. In Dracula, Van Helsing and John Harker discover Dracula’s tomb, and Van Helsing pounds a stake through his heart, ending his threat and setting Mina free from his curse. Murnau and attempt to have the film destroyed. It was Dominator, formerly of Dark Funeral. Plagiarism Today is a website aimed at webmasters and other creators to help them address the issues of plagiarism, copyright infringement and other forms of content misuse online. Count Orlok needs blood for sustenance, and does not create new vampires. Grau pressed forward with the film and it started production in 1921. It is not long before a plague breaks loose in Wisborg, and Orlok’s true intentions come to life. He and Enrico Dieckmann founded the company Prana Film and set out to create the movie, even hiring screen writer Henrik Galeen and director F. W. Murnau to bring the vision to life. Worst of all for film lovers was that the judge ordered that all copies of Nosferatu be destroyed. This is in stark contrast to Stoker’s Dracula, which is a suave, sexy and aristocratic womanizer. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. The real song that was left out that should have been included was the Fortune. Taylor T. Carlson was born August 17, 1984, and has called the Vegas Valley home his entire life. Max Schreck is outright terrifying with his makeup as Count Orlok; one instantly sees him as the menace in his respective film. These were not necessarily the first vampire movies, or even the first horror films. The name of the movie was changed to Nosferatu, the main character’s name was changed to Count Orlok and the plot itself received many tweaks and modifications. MandrewV. Murnau changed the ending of the original Dracula story as one of his stipulations to try to avoid legal repercussions, which unfortunately did not work for him; at least not from a legal standpoint. Taylor also holds a masters degree in special education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), and has appeared on the hit History Channel television series Pawn Stars. Anyone can put on scary makeup and frighten the audience in an obvious fashion as Schreck’s Orlok does, but Lugosi is the winner here because he is a less obvious, and dare I say it, LIKEABLE villain. I am just a legally-minded Webmaster/Writer frustrated with the plague of plagiarism online and doing something about it. Signup to get FREE Daily updates on copyright and plagiarism news. Film producer Albin Grau originally got the idea to shoot a vampire movie in 1916. His accent, his costume, his trademark glare; THIS is what we think of when we think of vampires today, and rightfully so. Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (German: Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens) is a 1922 silent German Expressionist horror film directed by F. W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck as Count Orlok, a vampire with an interest in both a new residence and the wife (Greta Schröder) of his estate agent (Gustav von Wangenheim). This article will be the first of a few I have planned, where we take a look at a few titles, ranging from the silent era to more recent decades. Nosferatu kept the interest in Vampires and Dracula alive until 1931, when Lugosi first played the role and helped ensure that we would have a steady stream of vampire movies from then on. 312 Words 2 Pages. Dracula, though written in the 1890s by Bram Stoker, is apparently set in a contemporary time period due to the appearance of modern amenities in London. After all, without Nosferatu proving the interest and potential profit from vampire movies, it’s debatable whether Universal and/or Hammer Films would have taken up the Dracula name. However, this idea of vampires being killed by sunlight has been used over and over again in various movies, includin… Awesome! Herzog’s Nosferatu the Vampyre, on the other hand, gives its characters their classic names, with Klaus Kinski as Dracula, Bruno Ganz as Jonathan … Which one is actually the better movie? after taken by ... Scorpions - A Look Back at Lonesome Crow, their 1972 debut. With Halloween just around the corner, this movie fan thought it would be a good idea to go back and take a look at some classic horror movies. More copies were produced as the movie developed a cult following, which has allowed it to remain in public consciousness for the last 98 years. Nosferatu is roughly 15-20 minutes longer and does an equally good job of development of both story and personnel, but there are a few scenes, characters, and moments that do not feel overly integral to the overall plot, and probably could have been axed. In the end, though it’s the later Draculas that would become better known, it’s likely none of them would have ever done so if it hadn’t been for this copyright infringing film that managed to stay alive with a stake through its heart. vs Winner by DeathBattle Location:Hogwarts CastleBoth BloodlustedBoth Using Film VerisonsStart At 30 feat awayBoth are well FedWho will win His thorough and honest (some would say brutally honest) reviewing style has won him the respect of hundreds of music fans and musicians alike, both local and abroad, and the ire of just as many others. It is hard to believe that this film is nearly a century old! The name of the movie was changed… The shorter and more concise Dracula wins here. So what movie is the big winner? That is a difficult question to which there is no one definitive answer. on 5/19/2010. At 95 minutes, the film is not overly long, but it does become a bit bloated and drawn out, particularly in its latter acts. These photos are remarkable. Though the slip up that caused Night of the Living Dead to lapse into the public domain is most likely the best-known case of copyright affecting horror movies, it is far from the only nor is it the first. Filmmaker Werner Herzog’s loose interpretation of F.W. Had the movie been about 10-15 minutes shorter and given the axe to a handful of the tertiary characters, the final product likely would have held up better over the years.