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The Representations of Vampires
- 2. Nosferatu was released in 1922 and was a German film, based around the idea of Dracula. The film was silent, and the use of slow, tense music builds the character of Count Orlok, as well as the reactions of the other characters in the scene. This version of a vampire was presented to be more monstrous, meaning that they were shown with the strong use of shadows, claw like nails, sharp teeth and an ‘ugly’ aesthetic. The idea that vampires were ‘foreign’, was enhanced by the fact that Nosferatu was set in Transylvania, and the vampire does not look human, as at the time of release, audiences were more receptive and scared of ‘the unknown’, which was a typical Gothic motif in horror, at the time. He is also very tall, and has large eyes, making him more alien to audiences. Nosferatu (1922)
- 3. This version of Dracula, was made in 1958 and was directed by Terence Fisher and starring Christopher Lee. This version of Dracula appears more human, as he appears more gentlemanly to audiences due to his charming attitude and the disguise of his monstrous attributes. He is often shown from a low angle to look more intimidating, and the director chose to intensify the music as his actions became more dominant. This version of Dracula is dressed in black, is strong, charismatic and sexually powerful, and follows the gothic motifs of sleeping in a coffin, having red, blood filled eyes and living in an isolated castle. Dracula (1958)
- 4. This 1992 version of Dracula, is first shown when he is young, handsome and strong. This is accompanied by the gothic motifs of the use of religion, and blood to show his transformation from a normal human, to one with an affliction. Dracula is also shown when he is old and wrinkly, yet he is still charming. The older version of Dracula has long nails, is very emotional, has a need for redemption and is looking for peace and reconciliation. This presentation of Dracula develops the character to be more human, and therefore appeal to audiences and makes them sympathise with the notion of vampires. The older version of Dracula follows the conventions of drinking blood, and turning into a bat. He is also repelled by religion, as in horror religion is also used to represent to ‘fear of the unknown’. Dracula (1992)
- 5. Twilight (2008-12) The Twilight saga films were made between 2008 and 2012, and the vampires in this are presented as mysterious, brooding and beautiful, and this was enhanced by the use of alluring music, low angles and subjective mise-en-scene. They are presented as emotionally human, and physically superhuman, making this representation of vampires the first to show them as perfect and desirable. In the films, they subvert typical vampire conventions as some characters refrain from drinking human blood, and opting for animal blood, they sparkle in the sunlight instead of being burned, and religious items have no adverse affect on them. They often have ‘superpowers’, and are ‘transformed’ by venom, and not necessarily by just a bite. They are however pale, white and cold, making it clear to audiences what type of ‘monster’ they are, yet the attributes that make the vampires in twilight make people want to be friends with them. Twilight also shows female vampires in an equal light to the male characters, which highlight the main differences between them and humans.
- 6. Let The Right One In was released in 2008, and is based around a child, female vampire. The use of blood and gore portrays her as a blood-drinking vampire, and she is presented to be heroic, as she kills the bullies of her friend Oskar. Contrary to conventional representations of vampires, she lives on a council estate, making her seem more like a normal child, and less like the typical isolated villain. She drinks blood to survive, is immune to the cold and cannot go in the sun, which relates this representation to typical ideas regarding vampires. Let The Right One In (2008)