← Back to results
Dracula
1931 74 min United States of America 12+
★7.6
Horror
Director: Tod Browning, Karl Freund
🎭 Based on
«Dracula»
byBram Stoker
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
EN
Description
A British estate agent travels to Transylvania to meet the mysterious Count Dracula, who is interested in leasing a London castle. After Dracula enslaves the agent and drives him to insanity, the pair return to London together, where Dracula, a secret bloodsucker, begins preying on socialites.
Budget:
$355,000
Worldwide:
$700,000
Starring
Bela Lugosi
Actor
Helen Chandler
Actor
David Manners
Actor
Awards
5 wins & 3 nominations total
Key opinion
The 1931 adaptation of Dracula is widely regarded as a foundational classic of the horror genre, primarily remembered for Bela Lugosi's iconic, aristocratic portrayal of the titular character. While modern audiences may find the pacing slow and the production values dated, the film remains celebrated for its enduring gothic atmosphere and influence on cinematic history.
| Acting | Bela Lugosi's performance is universally recognized as the definitive, iconic portrayal of Dracula, utilizing his hypnotic gaze and stage presence to anchor the film. | |
| Production | The production successfully cultivates a timeless, gothic atmosphere that remains captivating, even if the film is no longer considered genuinely frightening by modern standards. | |
| Acting | Dwight Frye delivers an astonishing and memorable performance as the frantic, fly-eating Renfield, frequently cited as a highlight that matches or exceeds Lugosi's work. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is viewed as a divisive element; critics argue that its reliance on the stage play over the original novel leads to a rushed, episodic narrative with a weak climax. | |
| Direction | Opinions on direction are split: some credit Tod Browning with establishing the film's lasting legacy, while others argue his silent-film background made him ill-suited for the early transition to sound. |