Halloween Vampires

Vampires in Halloween

As October starts to come to an end, a mother goes to her child and asks them what they want to be for halloween. What are common answers to these questions? The child may say a princess, a firefighter, a superhero, or more commonly, a vampire. It is not out of the ordinary for a child to want to dress up as a vampire, in fact I think I also dressed up as a vampire at least once when I was a child. Who doesn't want to be a scary blood sucking vampire? Even adults enjoy dressing up as vampires! Its an easy costume, all you need is a cloak, a pair of fangs, and a black outfit, but is that really what a vampire looks like? According to Bram Stoker's Dracula, that description is not quite fitting.  He describes Dracula as "...a tall old man, clean shaven save for a long white mustache, and clad in black from head to toe, without a single spec of color about him anywhere." (1).

Dracula, as described by Bram Stoker (2)

While people may have taken the "clad in black from head to toe"(1)  part into play when creating a costume for Dracula, or any vampire, people tend to add a lot more to make it more appealing. For men, they tend to add a long cloak, with the inside being red, and a large popped out collar. They also pair this with a white long sleeve shirt and a red vest. This conflicts the depiction of Dracula in many ways. First it says he was dressed in all black, therefore adding in red and white already makes the costume inaccurate. Also, Dracula was said to be a tall old man, but a lot of young woman and children still seem to dress up as him. 

Boy Dracula Costume (3) 

Women also take it upon themselves to not only dress as vampires, but to dress up as Dracula. One would think that the costume of Dracula would be intended for only men, since Dracula is a man, but that is not stopping anyone in the 20th century. While you may choose to dress up as any character you like, no matter the gender, the only problem here is the inaccurate portrayal of the character. When women dress up as Dracula they tend to put a sexy twist on the costume. This may have to do with the modern day sexualization of the entities of vampires, or even the sexualization that Bram Stoker showed in his book. Either way, this has lead to women dressing us as Dracula while wearing short black dresses, or long black dresses with high slights and low tops. In some cases these costumes include fishnet tights, and almost always some incorporation of the color red. 

"Sexy Countess Dracula" (4)

I don't know how others feel about this topic, but I know that the sexualization of Dracula makes me wonder just how this came to be in the form of costumes. I wonder who thought to themselves "yes, this Dracula costume is perfect and completely correct in terms of the first description, but lets make it promiscuous." I feel as though this may have correlation to the book heavily sexualizing the notion of vampires, especially the female ones, but I cannot be sure. There has always been a fascination in the romantic qualities that a vampire possess, and this fascination can be seen in many TV shows aimed towards the teenage population. Yet, this does not answer my question. I wonder why do people choose to say they are dressing up as Dracula if in fact they are just dressing us as a random vampire. Could it be because Dracula is the most well known vampire out there, and they do not want to seem basic by saying they are a vampire, or could it be more of a branding deal? Could calling a costume "sexy countess Dracula" bring in more profit for company's than "sexy vampire" would? Honestly, I think so. In this world people are obsessed with labels and such, so attaching the word Dracula to a costume may make people more inclined to buy it. 

1. Stoker, Bram, et al. Dracula. Norton, 1997.

2.  villains.fandom.com

3. halloweencostumes4u.com 

4. maskworld.com 

Dracula and Dracula: An Exploration of Dracula Tourism

First published in 1897, Bram Stoker's Dracula has influenced every generation of Western culture since its original print. In a more recent phenomenon, Western obsession with the novel has influenced Western tourism in Romania. One effect of those influences is Tepes Park, a Dracula-themed park planned to be built between Sighisoara and Brasov, to capitalize on the myth and to provide entertainment for tourists (1). Far from all Romanians are warm to the idea, though: Tepes Park is the Romanian Tourism Authority's second attempt to build such a park, after the failed DraculaPark bid in 2003. In general, "Dracula tourism" generates mixed feelings among the Romanian people, and for good reason: information surrounding the "real-life" Dracula is often questionable, and much of the living legend has been characterized (some feel for the worse) by Bram Stoker's work, by a man who never set foot in Romania.

The Man and the Myth

Many who know Count Dracula are also aware of his real-life counterpart, Vlad III. The association of the bloodsucking Count with the medieval Voivode is the central connection Romania has with the Gothic-horror novel, and also the centerpiece of controversy surrounding Dracula tourism.

There are a good few similarities between the fictional Dracula and the real-life prince Dracula, principally the name. Vlad III inherited the title "Dracula" from his father, Vlad II, who was bestowed "Dracul" (meaning "dragon") after joining The Order of the Dragon (2). "Dracul" was a popular name among Vlad II's detractors, since the word also meant "devil" in Romanian. "Dracula," bestowed upon Vlad III, simply means "son of the dragon," or, more ominously, "son of the Devil." However, many at the time agreed Vlad III earned the title by his actions as well: during an Ottoman invasion into his native Wallachia, the Voivode burned the villages in the wake of his army's retreat, finally repelling the Ottoman forces (that outnumbered them 3:1 in number and more by quality of arms) by displaying what was said to be 20,000 corpses impaled on stakes (3), a tactic which also earned him the name Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler.

A 16th Century portrait of Vlad III (a.k.a. Vlad Tepes, a.k.a. Dracula).
Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

While Vlad III was a nobleman in Wallachia (which shared a border with Transylvania) who also allegedly had a bloodlust to match Stoker's Count, perhaps the most striking similarity between the two figures is their physical descriptions. Jonathan Harker's depiction of Count Dracula in Chapter II echoes descriptions of him at the time, including that of a portrait made of him after his death (pictured above). The relevant text occurs on pages 21 and 23 of the Norton Critical Edition, describing Count Dracula as "clean shaven save for a long white mustache" (Stoker, 21), with a "very strong" face and "aquiline" features, who has a "high bridge thin nose and peculiarly arched nostrils; with lofty domed forehead, and hair growing scantily around the temples, but profusely elsewhere. His eyebrows were very massive, almost meeting over the nose," (a feature which was often attributed to Vlad Tepes but the portrait above fails to reflect), "and with bushy hair that seemed to curl in its own profusion" (Stoker, 23). Harker's description, despite likening the Count to a much older man, practically projects the image of Vlad III's portrait into the reader's mind, creating a stunning coincidence between the two figures.

Dracula Tourism

There is little wonder of why Vlad Tepes is indelibly associated with Count Dracula, though that has not erased the issue some Romanians take with Dracula tourism. For many of the Romanian people, Vlad III is a national hero, or at least a part of their national history and therefore meant to be respected, not propped up as some cape-wearing fanged fiend. The various establishments made to capitalize off of the novel's legend so closely associated with the real historical figure is like if foreigners flocked to the United States to stay in tourist traps themed after Seth Grahame-Smith's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

A poster for the 2012 film adaptation of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
Credit: IMDB.

There has long been talk in Romania to further capitalize off Dracula tourism, and indeed in the 1990s when Romania began to form a stronger relationship with the Western world, they advertised Bran Castle as the authentic "Castle Dracula." In reality, Bran Castle has little to do with Vlad Tepes and only found its way into the legend thanks to some architectural similarities between the physical location and the fictional castle described in Stoker's novel. Nevertheless, Bran Castle is always bustling with tourists (up until recently, as administration has closed the doors due to virus concerns) looking for the connection. Similar myths have circulated surrounding other Romanian castles, such as Corvin Castle, where Vlad III was rumored to have been imprisoned for some time, and Poenari Fortress. For many, Poenari Fortress is the authentic "Castle Dracula," not in the sense of the novel but in the sense of the historical figure, and so it still shares tangential fame in Dracula tourism. Vlad Tepes rebuilt Poenari Fortress (using the nobility of his enemies as slaves, no less) and stayed there; in at least one sense, Poenari Fortress is "Dracula's Castle," which is more than can be said of some of the others.

A (rough) depiction of Count Dracula's journey from the Black Sea to Castle Dracula based on events in the novel.
Map-making software courtesy of www.scribblemaps.com.

Interestingly enough, though, none of the popular castles touted as "Castle Dracula" come close to the site of the Count's fictional home; the closest, Bran Castle, is over 190 kilometers away! Stoker's notes list the actual latitude and longitude for Castle Dracula, located on what used to be an empty hilltop in Borgo Pass, between Bistritz and Vatra Dornei, on the other side of the road from Piatra Fantanele, a resort town. However, for those without access to Stoker's notes, an approximate location can be found by using the text to track the journey of the Count through the Romanian heartland, as shown in the map above. Nowadays, visitors to the location can stay at Hotel Castle Dracula, a Dracula-themed hotel, complete with blood-red carpets and a creepy basement where the Count sleeps. Brave visitors can meet with the count for a modest 3 Leu ($0.67). Other locations from the novel have been brought into existence as well, such as the Golden Krone Hotel in Bistritz, where Jonathan Harker stays in the opening chapters of the novel. The real-world hotel's restaurant even offers Robber Steak, the same meal Harker eats during his stay.

Every bit of the legend surrounding Vlad III and Count Dracula is rife with misinformation and speculation. From the propoganda of the Saxons and the Voivode himself, to the campfire rumours and legends extolled about his character, to the stories and theories behind Stoker's inspirations, research, and manuscript, all coalesces into a swirling whirpool of fact floating among the fiction. Though while academics and amateur historians question the validity of the real Dracula's inspiration for the fictional Count, reality is much clearer. Whether founded or not, fans of the novel make the connection. For Romanians concerned about their nation's image, that is all that matters. Dracula tourism, seeming to many honest fans like a harmless foray into Eastern Europe, can appear to others as a bastardization and commodofication of an admired historical figure, at odds with truth, reality, and honor.

Further Reading

1. Romania Insider, "Romania wants to sink its teeth into a new Dracula-themed amusement park."
2. Benjamin Hugo LeBlanc, various reprinted excerpts from Issue #5 of Journal of the Dark titled, "An Intriguing Figure in The Fifteenth Century."
3. Nicholas Rivero, "When Vlad the Impaler Repelled an Invasion With a Forest of Corpses."
4. Bram Stoker, Dracula. 

Frank Langella

(2) Playbill for the 1977 theater production of Dracula

(1) Movie Poster for the 1979 version of Dracula
created by a modern day fan

Dracula's Legacy

        Bram Stoker's Dracula was published in 1897, but its influence is still prevalent to this day. Since its debut, Stoker's novel has been adapted for countless films and plays, with some adaptations more similar to the original than others (3). In 1931, Bela Lugosi played Dracula in its first film adaptation, and numerous actors have played this role since then. One of the most famous early actors to play Dracula was Frank Langella who played the role of Dracula in the 1977 theater production and 1979 film (4). 

Langella's Life and Career

       Frank Langella was born into an Italian American family in New Jersey on January 1, 1938. After graduating from Syracuse University with a BA in drama, Frank put his degree to use. He starred in a variety of different productions and eventually participated in his first Broadway show seven years after graduating from Syracuse. He also began to take on movie roles shortly after his graduation, but continued to prefer preforming on stage. While not all of the films and plays he took part in became popular, he has been nominated for and won several awards over the years, including a 2009 Grammy Award nomination and a 1971 Golden Globe win. After marrying and having two children with Ruth Weill, the pair eventually split. Interestingly, Frank then dated Whoopi Goldberg from 1996-2001. Frank Langella is still alive today and is currently 82 years old (5). Click here to watch an interview with Langella as he discusses his career and his advice for other aspiring actors.

Langella as Dracula 

       Langella experienced great success playing the role of Dracula on Broadway, but unfortunately his film version did not receive quite as much recognition. However, for both the play and the movie, Frank had the same vision of Dracula as a character (6). Around the time of the film's production, Langella declared that he sees Dracula as "a nobleman, an elegant man, with a very difficult problem." As opposed to the more violent and horrifying character which Dracula had previously been portrayed as, Langella was determined to play the role of a classy but powerful Dracula (7). Instead of making Dracula brutal and scary as Lugosi did back in 1931, Langella developed Dracula as sexual and seductive in the 1977 Broadway production and fought hard maintain this image during the shooting of the movie. In other words, Langella preferred to think that Dracula seduced his victims rather than aggressively ambushing them. He even chose not to wear fangs because he did not think this true to this newer version of Dracula that he had developed (6). As Langella says in his interview, (see the end of "Langella's Life and Career" section) he believes that an actor should always only do what feels right to them. Frank clearly stood up for what felt right to him during the production of the play and movie.

       The 1979 version of Dracula that Frank starred in certainly does not follow the same story line as Stoker's original novel. In this adaptation, Lucy is Jonathan Harker's fiance and Dr. Seward's daughter. While Mina is still portrayed as Lucy's friend, she is also Dr. Van Helsing's daughter. Reflective of Langella's desire for Dracula to be portrayed as an erotic figure, Lucy becomes Dracula's lover, seemingly due to his seduction. Click here to watch an intimate scene between Dracula and Lucy which seems to demonstrate the reciprocal nature of their relationship in the film. Another difference between the film and Stoker's novel is the fact that Mina becomes Dracula's first victim, and it is she who dies first instead of Lucy.When Van Helsing is called by the Sewards to help, he recognizes that Mina is Un-dead and joins forces with Dr. Seward and Jonathan to defeat Dracula and protect Lucy (8). While he was unable to have as much of a say in the film version as compared to the play, Langella worked hard to stay true to who he felt Dracula was as a character. It might not be as sexual as the play, but the actor revealed that it is definitely a love story (6).

Sources

1) “Dracula-1979-Frank Langella.” Deviant Art, 4 Oct. 2011, www.deviantart.com/4gottenlore/art/Dracula-1979-Frank-Langella-261655834.

2) “Frank Langella ‘DRACULA’ Edward Gorey / Bram Stoker 1978 Broadway Playbill.” Amazon, ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2B5p6qfWHL._SY445_QL70_.jpg.

3) Rikard, Nicole R. “The Unslayable Tale: Dracula, Adaptations and the Role of the Sequel.” Journal of European Popular Culture, vol. 9, no. 2, 2018, pp. 105–118., doi:10.1386/jepc.9.2.105_1.

4) morales_gus. “Actors That Have Portrayed Count Dracula.” IMDb, IMDb.com, 1 Nov. 1969, www.imdb.com/list/ls025453942/.

5) “Frank Langella Biography, Life, Interesting Facts.” Famous Birthdays By SunSigns.Org, 12 Oct. 2018, www.sunsigns.org/famousbirthdays/d/profile/frank-langella/.

6) Travers, Peter. “Can Frank Langella Re‐Vamp ‘Dracula’?” New York Times, 8 July 1979.

7) “People.” Time Magazine, 12 Nov. 1978.

8) “Dracula.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt0079073/plotsummary.

       

A Castle Fit for a Vampire

Every year nearly half a million people travel to central Romania in order to visit “Dracula’s Castle”, formally known as Bran Castle. Originally built as a heavily fortified military stronghold during the 14th century, Bran Castle is most known today for its role in the classic novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. Stoker had never visited Romania, and there is little evidence which suggests that he had knowledge of Bran Castle, but some researchers believe he did. Information found on the Bran Castle website claims Stoker based his description of Dracula’s castle off of a picture of Bran Castle, which he reportedly observed in the book Transylvania: Its Product and Its People by Charles Boner (3). Whether Stoker knew it or not his description of Dracula’s castle bears an uncanny resemblance to Bran Castle, including tall, gray walls and a dense forest surrounding it; the ominous aesthetic of the castle is appropriate for the infamous Count Dracula. 

Source 5

Built at the request of King Louis I of Hungary, Bran Castle initially served as a powerful fortress located along the dangerous border which separated Transylvania and Wallachia. Structurally, the fortress was constructed to withstand enemy attacks and ensure the protection of soldiers during battle. According to author Frances Cary, Bran Castle is equipped with two watchtowers, underground prisons, and hidden passageways littered through the interior; some passageways were so well hidden that they went undiscovered until the 20th century. One of the most interesting aspects of the medieval fortress were the waterwells. The waterwells were primarily used to extinguish fires caused during battles, but they had a secret function as well; the wells also acted as a hideout for soldiers, in the event that the fortress was being overrun (1). The layout of the fortress is incredibly unique, and made for an effective defense. 

Bran Castle has undergone many restorations and served as a fortress for centuries, but eventually the building fell into disrepair during the 19th century. Following the union of Transylvania and Romania, King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie received the castle as a token of gratitude from the city. During the 1920’s, Queen Marie converted the now-abandoned building into a summer home, and lived there until her death in 1938 (2). After the Queen’s death, her daughter Ileana was forced to leave the city by the incoming communist regime, which seized control of Bran Castle; the castle was later converted into a museum during the 1960’s. According to its website, Bran Castle was officially returned to the family of Queen Marie in 2009 (3). Today, Bran Castle remains an operating museum in Romania, which offers tours of the historic construction. For those of us who are not traveling to Romania anytime soon, a virtual, inside look is available here: 

Source 4

Sources: 

1. Cary, Frances. "Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)- What You Should Know About Castle in Transylvania, Romenia." Earth & World, n.p., 25 December 2009, https://earthnworld.com/bran-castle/ 

2. Lewis, Robert. "Bran Castle." Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 23 June 2017. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bran-Castle/

3. "Historical Timeline." Bran Castle, n.p., 2013, http://bran-castle.com/historical-timeline.html 

4. "Dracula Castle Transylvania... inside tour." Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 2011. https://youtu.be/lD-i3Xnfy9Q

5. "Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)." Trip Advisor, n.p., 2020. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g608956-d318167-Reviews-Bran_Castle_Dracula_s_Castle-Bran_Brasov_County_Central_Romania_Transylvania.html

All About the Looks: Adaptations of Dracula

All About the Looks: Adaptations of Dracula


       Although the novel Dracula was written by Bram Stoker in the late 19th century, there are many film adaptations and theater productions which were made. The story of Dracula as a character became known through the spread of the media, but more specifically, film. Perhaps the most well known role of Dracula is "In the Hammer Studios classic from 1958, The Horror of Dracula-the film that introduced the world to Christopher Lee in the role of the world's most famous vampire" (1). Since then, Dracula has been represented in many other films or related media. According to vampire enthusiast scholar John Edgar Browning, "the Count, or his semblance, has appeared in at least 740 feature-length films, television programs, documentaries, animated works, adult features, and video games, as well as in over a thousand comic books and theatrical dramatizations" (2). That is a lot of representation for Dracula, but it may not all be the same information. Each adaptation has taken some liberties when it comes to Stoker's original novel, but the presence of Dracula himself hasn't changed too much.

       Many misconceptions about Dracula have occurred because of the way the movies have chosen to visually style him. We discussed Dracula's appearance in class and found that many of us believed Dracula to look like this:

A stereotypical Dracula, with the slicked-back hair, black collar cape, and vaguely foreign looks (5)

       However, there was not a place in the novel where he was dressed like this. This idea of Dracula was decided by "these movies, those of the fifties, that have given us our modem image of the vampire—dressed in black, handsome, evil, and ultimately sexual—and Holte details film and television's transformation of the myth from one of simple horror to one that opens up possibilities for humor and romance" (3). So, we all just came to the conclusion that Dracula should be a sexy, misunderstood, romanticized vampire? It appears that way. We have created monsters with a sad background story in attempt to gain sympathy for them, but this was most likely not how Stoker envisioned Dracula.

A sad Dracula, because we tend to believe he is capable of experiencing sorrow (6)

       Something that may not be well-known is the fact that Dracula himself was not allowed to be shown with fangs in the film adaptations until 1958, when Christopher "Lee was the first mainstream Count to sport actual, visible fangs; before, the censors simply wouldn’t allow it, so audiences were left to assume the fangs were there" (2). I had always assumed that his fangs were his defining characteristic, but many people were not exposed to the fangs in a film. This is important to note because something that gives the vampire an identity are their fangs.

       Dracula has also had its time on the stage, including a musical on Broadway. In 2004, Dracula, The Musical was showing on Broadway, but it did not find a receptive audience. One author from the New York Times stated that "if you already know the story of Dracula as put forth by Stoker and Hollywood, you will find nothing to surprise you here. If you don't know the story, you will find it impossible to follow. The show assumes the audience's full acquaintance with the source material and delivers much of its crucial exposition through sung lyrics that are not always intelligible" (4). Unfortunately, the show did not fare well and got constructive criticism, hold the compliments. On a more positive note, while in New York City, some students-myself included-went to see Kate Hamill's adaptation of Dracula. It was entertaining, fresh, and quite a twist from the traditional-style novel, proving that there are a variety of lenses to view the story of Dracula. 

Works Cited:

1. Weinstock, Jeffrey Andrew. "The Vampire Film: Undead Cinema." Vol. 48, Columbia University Press, 2012. 


2. Browning, John Edgar. “Listening to Our Vampires: Dracula from the Grave to the Page to Stage and Cinema.” Listening, no. 3, 2017, p. 127. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspxdirect=true&db=edsbl&AN=RN614553015&site=eds-live&scope=site.


3. Montville, Julanne. “Dracula in the Dark: The Dracula Film Adaptations.” Extrapolation, vol. 39, no. 2, June 1998, p. 173. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspxdirect=true&db=edsglr&AN=edsgcl.20913304&site=eds-live&scope=site.


4. Brantley, Ben. “The Bat Awakens, Stretches, Yawns.” The New York Times, 20 Aug. 2004, www.nytimes.com/2004/08/20/movies/theater-review-the-bat-awakens-stretches-yawns.html. Accessed 5 April 2020. 


5. Pulliam-Moore, Charles. "The Case for Calling All Vampires Draculas." Gizmodo, 27 Oct. 2019, https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2019/10/the-case-for-calling-all-vampires-draculas/


6. Torres, Tamara. "Sad Vampire." flickr, 23 Aug. 2008, https://www.flickr.com/photos/nene_muerta/2791507422

Tod Browning's Dracula: The First Film Adaptation with Sound

Dracula's Big Break in Hollywood

(3.)

Stoker's Dracula is an ironic work both in literature and pop-culture. In some respects, the literature elements of Dracula has fallen to the more popular vampire films and television shows. Regardless of what people have read, the iconic image of Dracula has achieved immortality thanks to a 1931 film by Tod Brownings, who directed the first film adaptation of Dracula with sound. (4.)


Tod Brownings was a director born in 1880 known for his success in silent films. The addition of sound to this kind of project proved to be a bit of a challenge for Brownings because he was used to dealing with silent films and was tasked with adapting such a well known property. Brownings nonetheless proved to be the perfect man for the job and completely changed what would become the horror genre. This would be the first of the Universal monster pictures and films like "The Mummy" and "Frankenstein" would not exist were it not for the success of this film. (1.)


The film was based on a stage play adaptation of Stoker's iconic work, written in the 1920s.
Actor Bela Lugosi, whose titular performance would solidify to this day the common image that comes to mind when one thinks of Dracula as a character. What is notable about this film compared to the novel is that it almost blends the characters of Renfield and Jonathan together. In the movie, it is Renfield who is the English solicitor sent to inquire about the count in Transylvania. Dracula then bites Renfield and has him committed to an asylum when they return to England. Jonathan is only mentioned at the end as Mina's fiance who she eventually becomes reunited with. Despite some changes, the movie does try to follow the source material and become a faithful adaptation. (4.)

(4.)

Tod Browning's film completely changed the image of what Dracula and a vampire is in the minds of millions. His Dracula as quoted from Ermida's "Dracula and the Gothic in Literature, Pop Culture and the Arts says, "The monstrously deformed Phantom was, like Lugosi’s Dracula, a combination of a ruthless killer and a connoisseur with sophisticated taste in clothes." This is important because this adaptation of Dracula is what created this image of a sexy vampire in peoples' mind. His suave style and charm contrasted the gruesome depiction in the novel. This would work to the benefit of Dracula though, as his powers of seduction become all the more plausible when they could be portrayed though the talents of an actor like Lugosi. (2.)

Although many may not know their names, Ted Brownings and Bela Lugosi completely changed what Dracula meant for modern audiences. People still picture that iconic Dracula today and the genre of horror as a whole can thank Brownings for his visionary work. 

Works Cited

Biscotti, Steven. “Remembering Tod Browning's Dracula!” Universal Monsters Universe, Universal Monsters Universe, 12 July 2016, universalmonstersuniverse.com/2016/07/12/remembering-tod-brownings-dracula/. (1.)

Ermida, Isabel. Dracula and the Gothic in Literature, Pop Culture and the Arts. Brill | Rodopi, 2016. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1940117&site=eds-live&scope=site (2.)

Gibson, Doug. “'Tod Browning's Dracula' an Analysis of a Film with Staying Power.” Standard, Standard-Examiner, 14 Mar. 2015, www.standard.net/entertainment/tod-browning-s-dracula-an-analysis-of-a-film-with/article_bd1505f3-b335-5df8-96d8-cff8a9eea5f1.html. (3.)

Pfeiffer, Lee. “Dracula.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 3 June 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/Dracula-film. (4.)

Dracula's Tourism at a Look

The World Behind Dracula: Romanian Dracula Tourism

It’s fair to say that people love to escape reality. Whether in a world of their own, or perhaps something a little more exquisite, there are two very distinct options for individuals looking for a way to free their minds: reading and travel. Throughout time there have been several examples of when the two worlds of reading and travel combine, but none quite like that of Dracula.

A novel by Bram Stoker in 1897, Dracula bases the home of Count Dracula in Transylvania, a region of Romania. Originally inspired by Wallachian prince, Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler for his habit of beheading his enemies, Bram Stoker was fascinated by Romania’s history, despite having never visited in person (3). With the novel fueling countless television shows, movies, and novels, tourism in Romania has greatly increased, much to the dismay of its locals.

Depiction of Vlad III (left) next to a 1931 theatrical Count Dracula (right) (1).

Bran Castle, perhaps one of the most infamous tourist attractions, was originally constructed in 1388 and was used as a lookout point against the Ottoman Empire while overlooking the Moeciu Valley. In 1459, Vlad III’s soldiers passed by the castle on his way to settle disputes between Wallachians and Saxons. Bran Castle stood the test of time through war, being passed down between members of royalty, used as a summer home, a hospital, and museum before restoration began in 1987 and finished for tourism purposes (3). Bran Castle is well-known for having inspired Bram Stoker for what would become the castle used in his novel, Dracula.

The renowned Bran Castle (1).

A multitude of options exist for tourists interested in both the real and fictional Dracula. For those interested in Vlad the Impaler, people can visit many locations such as Curtea de Arges, what used to be the Wallachian capital where Vlad III was a military commander, or the preserved city of Sighisoara, in which Vlad III was born. Other tourist activities include tours beginning in various towns such as Bucharest, through Bran Castle, and into the city of Brasov, where people are able to enjoy traditional Romanian food and enjoy other aspects of the culture and atmosphere (3).

Bram Stoker in using Transylvania in Dracula, subsequently made Romania the only nation in which has the capability of offering a full tourist Dracula experience (4). Both private and governmental agencies have worked to develop upon tourism possibilities within Romania, allowing revenues of over $2,900,000 to be collected just from Bran Castle tourism alone (5). Although a controversial topic, Romanian cities welcome tourists for economic reasons, and often choose to embrace the rich heritage of their nation’s history over the gory, horror-related culture popularized by Stoker (2). In the end, regardless of how one may view Dracula or Vlad the Impaler, it is important that the historical culture of Romania is preserved for all to enjoy, history buffs and vampire-obsessed alike, for all to enjoy in the future. 

Works Cited 

1.) All That's Interesting. “Vlad The Impaler Was A Notoriously Blood-Thirsty War Lord - And The Precursor To Count Dracula.” All That's Interesting, All That's Interesting, 16 Jan. 2020, allthatsinteresting.com/vlad-the-impaler.

2.) “Dracula Tourism: The Impact on Romania's Image.” Dracula Tourism: The Impact on Romania's Image | USC Center on Public Diplomacy, 2017, www.uscpublicdiplomacy.org/story/dracula-tourism-impact-romanias-image.

3.) “Historical Timeline // 1211 - 2009.” Historical Timeline - Bran Castle, BRAN CASTLE, 2013, www.bran-castle.com/historical-timeline.html.

4.) Johanson, Mark. “Romania's Dracula Problem: Tourists Love It, Locals Hate It.” International Business Times, 17 July 2013, www.ibtimes.com/romanias-dracula-problem-tourists-love-it-locals-hate-it-1348883.

5.) Marica, Irina. “More Tourists Attracted by Dracula's Myth: Romania's Bran Castle Records Higher Revenues in 2014.” Romania Insider, 6 July 2015, www.romania-insider.com/more-tourists-attracted-by-draculas-myth-romanias-bran-castle-records-higher-revenues-in-2014.

Stoker's Legacy

Legacy of Stoker’s novel/influence on other writers

Well-known author Bram Stoker of Dracula can very well be considered the father of all Vampire Folklore. Being the first author to come out with such a popular vampire gothic horror, left a lot of room for other artists to play with the idea of a blood-sucking creature. In today’s era there are many adaptations of the original Dracula, some being more like the original than others.

Contrary to popular belief, Dracula wasn’t the first vampire novel to hit the market back in 1897, but it is the most well-known. According to author Steph Byce, in “Bram Stoker, Father of Vampire Fiction,” there was another book published in 1819 based on vampire myths. However, this book didn’t take off like the legendary Dracula did obviously. Byce discusses that the main difference between the two stories was that the vampire in 1819 Vampyre didn’t suck blood, but drained the life force in it’s victims. Now, bloodsucking creatures are all we see in today’s modern vampire. In the article, “The undying legacy of Bram Stoker,” author Meriem Lamara explains how other various readings of Dracula view the vampire legend as an ‘invader’ as the most prominent subject in the books such as, Dracul, which was written 25 years after the publishing of Dracula and is intended to be the prequel to Dracula. Lamara also discusses another show that aired in 1990 called Castlevania, which has now been added to Netflix. This tv show is based off a Dracula video game, and follows more in line with the original Dracula storyline of a group of comrades who find a way to save man-kind from the grief-maddened Dracula. 

Being a big fan of vampire folklore myself, I see a lot of the new vampire movies, books, and tv shows, all trying to live up to the legacy of Dracula. However, one of the biggest twists I have seen between Dracula and other more recent vampire stories, is the idea of a vampire being a lot more romanticized, and the focus being more on the forbidden love between a human and an immortal vampire. More information of the switch from predator to protector can be found in the article, “Dracula vs. The Modern Vampire,” where the author dives into how the present day vampire has shifted over time stating, “In Stoker’s time, people wanted a creature that could scare them, thrill them, keep them on the edge of their seat, but in the Twilight crazed world of today, the vampire’s image is that of the courageous hero who abstains from committing the deeds his predecessors have done. People today aren’t looking for an image that scares them.” I completely agree with this statement. I believe that the authors of today’s era took their own spin off of what people are most interested in reading, and just morphed the idea of the scary vampire into a more romantic icon.

Dracula vs The Modern Vampire (Edward Cullen)

Other than Twilight, the other vampire show that I am most familiar with is Vampire Diaries, and between the two, I have seen a lot of similarities. Just in the first episode of Vampire Diaries, a crow is present whenever a vampire is near. In both Twilight and Vampire Diaries, the vampires originate from a family of vampires, similarly to the idea of Dracula and his 3 brides/sisters. In all of the vampire tales, they have supernatural powers such as super strength and speed, but both Vampire Diaries and Twilight vampires lack the shapeshifting power that Count Dracula possesses. I believe the reason for this difference and many more attributes that were left out, are due to the romanticizing of the vampire image, and although I do prefer today’s vampire image, Dracula is and always will be a classic, and I am thankful that Stoker paved the way for many more aspiring authors to follow in his vampire folklore footsteps. 

Works Cited

Byce, Steph. “Bram Stoker, Father of Vampire Fiction.” Legacy.com, 10 Jan. 2020, www.legacy.com/news/culture-and-history/bram-stoker-father-of-vampire-fiction/.

“Login.” TeenInk, www.teenink.com/reviews/all/article/173946/Dracula-vs-The-Modern-Vampire/.

University of Northampton. “The Undying Legacy of Bram Stoker.” Medium, Medium, 7 Nov. 2018, medium.com/@UniNorthants/the-undying-legacy-of-bram-stoker-5bd8cc011007.

https://www.legacy.com/news/culture-and-history/bram-stoker-father-of-vampire-fiction/

https://www.legacy.com/news/culture-and-history/bram-stoker-father-of-vampire-fiction/

http://www.teenink.com/reviews/all/article/173946/Dracula-vs-The-Modern-Vampire/

Peter Cushing

Peter Cushing

First, let’s get into the basics. Peter Wilton Cushing is an English actor. Many know him for his appearances in various horror films from Hammer Productions, with a lot of them revolving around Dracula. He played roles like Dr. Van Helsing, and appeared in movies such as Dracula, The Brides of Dracula, and many more (number). He was born on May 26th, 1913 in Kenley, Surrey, United Kingdom and died on August 11th, 1994 in Canterbury due to prostate cancer. Aside from his success in acting, he also wrote two autobiographies. Throughout his many achievements in life, he also married Helen Cushing, his only wife, for twenty-eight years. She eventually passed away in 1971. 

Something worth mentioning about Cushing was his love for his wife. Quoted in Radio Times, he had said "Since Helen passed on I can't find anything; the heart, quite simply, has gone out of everything. Time is interminable, the loneliness is almost unbearable and the only thing that keeps me going is the knowledge that my dear Helen and I will be reunited again some day. To join Helen is my only ambition. You have my permission to publish that ... really, you know, dear boy, it's all just killing time. Please say that" (number). Knowing this says a lot about Cushing’s life, as well as his priorities, and it was clear Helen was one of them. 

(Image 1)

Speaking of death, Cushing’s view of it differed from what was considered normal. When Cushing was a child, his mother used to pretend to play dead as a way of punishing him, and perhaps this played a significant part on not only how he sees death, but acting in the movies and shows about such. Of course, his view of death also dramatically altered due to the loss of his wife. With her death also came suicidal thoughts from Cushing, and in an interview on The Human Factor, he said “I was contemplating everything. I knew I'd never have the courage to do it, but you can't have the experience and the love of a person such as Helen and then suddenly it's not there anymore. It's more than three quarters of your own self taken from you. So you either buckle under and say, 'that's it,' and give up, or you have to go on and run the race before you, which is set before you" (number). It is known that the spirit of Cushing suffered for a while, but he continued to work up until he died.

(Image 2)

Interestingly enough, with the use of CGI, Cushing was brought back to life, along with a stand-in actor for 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’, which certainly speaks for itself when considering his importance as an actor. It would serve as a compliment to any actor if they were to be used in films even after they have passed. 

(Image 3)

Works Cited

(1) The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Peter Wilton Cushing.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 7 Aug. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Peter-Cushing.

(2) “Who Was Peter Cushing? Everything You Need to Know.” Facts, Childhood, Family Life, Achievements & Timeline, www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/peter-cushing-38271.php.

(3) Couch, Aaron. “'Rogue One': Peter Cushing's Views on Life, Death and the Beyond Are Worth Revisiting.” The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2020, www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rogue-one-peter-cushings-views-death-revisited-grand-moff-tarkin-return-957353.

Image 1: https://www.pinterest.es/pin/90001692539129819/

Image 2: https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/helen-cushing

Image3: https://metro.co.uk/2015/08/24/star-wars-lucasfilm-are-using-cgi-to-bring-peter-cushing-back-to-life-for-rogue-one-5357731/