Text 1 - Dracula (1931)
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Media Studies A2 Genre Study
HISTORIC TEXT 1 “Dracula” (1931) Directed by Tod Browning
What are the origins of the vampire myth in general and “Dracula” in particular?
Written by BRAM STOKER in 1897. Stoker based his novel on the true story of Vlad the Impaler, the ruler of Walachia, who used to impale his enemies on stakes and drink their blood! Vampire myths are common in Balkan countries like Romania. The story was first filmed as “Nosferatu” in 1922. This version was silent, and did not use the Dracula character to avoid copyright laws.
Intertextuality : the novel & the 1931 film
The character of Dracula is more peripheral in the original novel. The settings in the novel are on a much wider canvas than here, due to budget constraints. Characterisation in the 1931 film is largely superficial; especially Jonathan Harker & Mina Seward.
Iconography the character of “Dracula”
The visual representation of Dracula used here, is the most common image of a vampire character. Notice the syntax used here: the sinister uplighting and the way shadows around the mouth hint at hunger and aggression.
Representation: the passive female victim in “Dracula”
Standard genre stereotypes – women like Mina & Lucy are easy prey to the dominant male evil of Dracula. The female characters always look to men for protection. The women are superficially portrayed; they are either wholly virginal (acceptable) or seducers (unacceptable).
Analysing the syntax: key scenes from “Dracula” Three influential sequences exist in the 1931 version of “Dracula”. These are: 1. The opening segment - Renfield’s journey & first encounter with Dracula. 2. The asylum confrontation between Dracula & Van Helsing. 3. Mina’s attempted attack on Jonathan Harker. Watch these scenes again and deconstruct them, considering the following:
Mise-en-scène, Cinematography, Representation, Audience, Narrative, Editing, Sound,
Summary: strengths & weaknesses of “Dracula” (1931) 1. Created the iconography of the “Dracula” character. 2. It has an intriguing and eerie atmosphere. 3. It is the first attempt at a faithful interpretation of Stoker’s original novel. 4. The Transylvania settings are fairly accurate and impressive for the time the film was made.
1. Relies far too heavily on the stage play rather than the original novel. 2. The characters are rather one dimensional, and acted in an over-exaggerated style. 3. Key moments are played off screen due to budget limits. 4. The direction is less than flamboyant, giving the piece a rather static feel.
Practical exercise: a contemporary comparison… You are going to watch an episode from the TV series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. This episode is a modern twist on vampirism, and makes an interesting comparison to the 1931 “Dracula”. You are going to work in pairs to evaluate this episode, considering the following points in your comparison: The way the narrative is structured by comparison to “Dracula” (1931). The elements of vampire lore (is it conventional?). Which of the two is more effective and atmospheric? Why
do you think this is?
HISTORIC TEXT 1 “Dracula” (1931) Directed by Tod Browning
What are the origins of the vampire myth in general and “Dracula” in particular?
Written by BRAM STOKER in 1897. Stoker based his novel on the true story of Vlad the Impaler, the ruler of Walachia, who used to impale his enemies on stakes and drink their blood! Vampire myths are common in Balkan countries like Romania. The story was first filmed as “Nosferatu” in 1922. This version was silent, and did not use the Dracula character to avoid copyright laws.
Intertextuality : the novel & the 1931 film
The character of Dracula is more peripheral in the original novel. The settings in the novel are on a much wider canvas than here, due to budget constraints. Characterisation in the 1931 film is largely superficial; especially Jonathan Harker & Mina Seward.
Iconography the character of “Dracula”
The visual representation of Dracula used here, is the most common image of a vampire character. Notice the syntax used here: the sinister uplighting and the way shadows around the mouth hint at hunger and aggression.
Representation: the passive female victim in “Dracula”
Standard genre stereotypes – women like Mina & Lucy are easy prey to the dominant male evil of Dracula. The female characters always look to men for protection. The women are superficially portrayed; they are either wholly virginal (acceptable) or seducers (unacceptable).
Analysing the syntax: key scenes from “Dracula” Three influential sequences exist in the 1931 version of “Dracula”. These are: 1. The opening segment - Renfield’s journey & first encounter with Dracula. 2. The asylum confrontation between Dracula & Van Helsing. 3. Mina’s attempted attack on Jonathan Harker. Watch these scenes again and deconstruct them, considering the following:
Mise-en-scène, Cinematography, Representation, Audience, Narrative, Editing, Sound,
Summary: strengths & weaknesses of “Dracula” (1931) 1. Created the iconography of the “Dracula” character. 2. It has an intriguing and eerie atmosphere. 3. It is the first attempt at a faithful interpretation of Stoker’s original novel. 4. The Transylvania settings are fairly accurate and impressive for the time the film was made.
1. Relies far too heavily on the stage play rather than the original novel. 2. The characters are rather one dimensional, and acted in an over-exaggerated style. 3. Key moments are played off screen due to budget limits. 4. The direction is less than flamboyant, giving the piece a rather static feel.
Practical exercise: a contemporary comparison… You are going to watch an episode from the TV series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. This episode is a modern twist on vampirism, and makes an interesting comparison to the 1931 “Dracula”. You are going to work in pairs to evaluate this episode, considering the following points in your comparison: The way the narrative is structured by comparison to “Dracula” (1931). The elements of vampire lore (is it conventional?). Which of the two is more effective and atmospheric? Why
do you think this is?
