VAMPIRES

Nosferatu(1922)

Nosferatu is known to be one of the first horror movies to be made. This silent movie was based off the tale of Dracula, the only difference between the two are the characters names.

The audience is exposed to Vampires though the role of Count Orlok. This movie represents vampires to wear black clothing accompanied by very exaggerative features such as an extended nose, sunken eyes and long pointy finger nails. The physical appearance of Count Orlok is dissimilar to a human, this can make audience scared if him as he is not like us but instead he can be considered ‘The other’. That portray of humans are the centre of focus and beings such as Count Orlok which we consider ‘the other’ are the outside of focus, this linking to the fear of the unknown.

The movie uses light and shadow to present vampires. This allows for the character to look more menacing and scary. One of the most famous scene within the movie is of Count Orloks silhouette walking up a flight of stairs. His shadow shows his long nails making his character more frightening.

Back lit lighting has also been used as the vampire is walking within a room, the outline of his body makes the scene more chilling.

Horror of Dracula(1958)

Much like Nosferatu vampires are considered the ‘bad guy’, the idea of predator vs prey is depicted within this film. But unlike Nosferatu this movie also features women being vampires.Vampires are represented to also be vulnerable to traditional religious items such as the crucifix, this shows you that the film steams from original tales of vampires as it was known fact that they were used to ward off vampires.

There are some sexual undertones within the production, we see that Count Dracula attacks helpless women victims after seducing them. But there is still the sense of prey against predator within the film.

The movie is set within a old gothic styled mansion. The surroundings are are dull, the darkness makes the aura around vampires more mysterious and dangerous.

A close up on the Counts face allows for us to see his red eyes and fangs, we also see the blood dripping from his mouth. This shot allows for vampires to be viewed in a more horrifying light.

Dracula(1992)

Unlike the previous two movies I have looked at, this film highly sexualises vampire. There is no longer a prey against predator mentality. I feel that this is one of the first vampire movies which brought the idea of human and vampire relationships to the table.

The movie also shows vampires being able to take up various types of forms for example, mist or a grotesque bat like creature. The directors of the film were able to do this because they had the technology to do so. I also feel that they made the decision to have Dracula take on different forms as it was more frightening. As time went on consumers of horror would become more desensitised to previous vampires movies as they would all have similar aspects. This vampire production added more features to bring something new and possible make vampires more mysterious and frightening.

The highly sexual representation of vampires is created by creating intimate scenes between humans and vampires. There is a high sense of allure and temptation established around vampires.

Twilight(2008-2012)

In comparison to movies such as ‘Nosferatu’ and ‘Horror of Dracula’ the representation of vampires has changed almost completely. Within this series vampires such as Edward are displayed to have human like feelings, they are capable to love and hold ‘human’ like emotions, this then leads to vampires being more humanized, which decreases the amount of fear the audience would feel with vampires.

Twilight has eliminated some of the traditional qualities that vampires use to hold. For example vampires are able o walk out into the sun without being burned to death. The romanticism of vampires make this movie less of a horror but more of a young adult/ romance.

In contrast to previous vampire movies, the vampire characters themselves appear very human. They are able to walk around and mingle with other humans. Unlike Count Orlok in Nosferatu they close to no exaggerated monster like features.

The prey vs predator idea we would see in typical traditional vampire movies have lessen dramatically as movies such as Twilight now incorporate more of the two species working with each other instead of opposing one another.

Let The Right One in(2008)

Unlike all of the other vampire movies ‘let The Right One in’ has a child as the vampire in comparison to an older man. You would think that a child would be very innocent but this film plays around with the representation of the vampires. This movie also contrasts to the predator against prey aspect that the traditional movies hold,as the protagonist of the movie works and gets along with Eli(vampire). I think that the fact that they are both children makes their relationship more innocent.

Traditional vampire folklore is underplayed within the film, Eli who plays the vampire is not vulnerable to stakes, crucifixes or garlic. So it is hard for the audience to tell that she is indeed a vampire. But other signs such as her walking around bare foot in the snow is an indicator to her non human form.

The soundtrack used in this film is also more light hearted compared to previous films such as ‘Horror of Dracula’. This makes Eli more innocent.