Dracula vs Spanish Dracula - a tale of two visions

[@andrewparsons2391]

odd, shouldn't Dracula VS Spanish Dracula end with both of them teaming up to fight MechaDracula?

[@blackenedwritings]

"Things I didn't know I want" for 100, please

[@Gondarth]

As long as MechaDracula is played by Christopher Lee, I'm in 😃

[@adrian72300]

@@blackenedwritings The Daily Double!

[@brvndxxxn]

Or French Dracula

[@rsacchi100]

I think Sony would be interested in a movie with that premise.

[@JohnDonovanProductions]

Fun fact: we all know the Spanish language version was shot on the same sets at night with a completely different cast and crew, but did you know that The Transylvanian inn , where Renfield is warned against continuing his trip to Castle Dracula , was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin on October 23 , 1930 , after Browning's unit had finished shooting , according to an October 25 item in the Exhibitor's Herald - World . The inn that appears in the Spanish film is a completely new structure .

[@starmnsixty1209]

Didn't know this. Thanks.

[@edisonlima4647]

I would say marrying Lupita after the movie was a lot more than "doing fine".

[@tense99]

Right

[@robotrix]

Browning's "cutting of dialog" most likely had a lot to do with the fact that - with many theaters in the US still not outfitted for sound - his version had to also work as a silent film. That version was probably also sent to Spanish speaking areas that had no sound in theaters.

[@AndrejPanjkov]

One of the most horrifying scenes in Browning's Dracula is the murder of the flower seller in London, and then Dracula's visit to the opera. He's genteel, but he has just come straight from the murder. The omission of this scene is a big hole in Melford's version.

[@starmnsixty1209]

Agreed.

[@TheHeater90]

The Spanish version had the better Mina(Eva), the English version had the better Dracula, Renfield and Van Helsing. Also, the Fog in the English one makes the carriage scene much more atmospheric and cool. Also... in the English version, keeping Renfeild at the bottom of the staircase when they first meet, while Dracula stays nearer the middle section, forcing Renfield to look up at him longer, and thus resulting in the two not sharing the same frame in the scene, makes Dracula seem much more intimidating. Also..... Dracula waving away his brides to bite Renfield himself is essential in my opinion. It was, after all, one of Stoker's very earliest notes when preparing to write the novel. The Spanish version, while having a few superior shots, over does it in a lot of areas. A few too many loudly opening doors, etc. Dwight Frye's Renfield in the English version is perfectly creepy and still very sympathetic. His signature slow, low-pitch laughter is cinematic gold. A far cry from the Renfield in the Spanish version, who's laugh is just over-the-top, loud, and what I'd consider crazy for crazy's sake. Also, Renfield's death in the English version has every right to be "unfairly tragic"... This is a Horror film we're talking about here, not a fluffy bunny movie. Bad, unfortunate, tragic, HORRIBLE things are part of the deal, I'm afraid.

[@christopherwall2121]

"But Browning had Lugosi" and that is why it is hard to pit them against each other, as both have elements the other version could use.

[@hebneh]

When these two versions were made, nobody had any idea how influential "Dracula" was going to be - essentially giving birth to an entire genre of film. Intensive analysis like this would've been unimaginable in 1931.

[@ianhartley395]

Almost died when you said Eugene Levy🤣🤣🤣🤣 Same with the Batman logo haha! Thanks for a fascinating video!

[@kali3665]

I was REALLY looking forward to seeing your take on this. Thanks for posting!! My biggest issue, of course, is simply that Carlos Villarias is NOT Bela Lugosi. Villarias was clearly directed to imitate Lugosi, and he just looks silly when he tries. And Villarias is utterly ridiculous when he grimaces. Lugosi always looks like a threat; Villarias comes across as more comic. Lugosi has his own unique style, which is well served by Browning's approach to the material. Villarias really doesn't, and it seems to me that George Melford's approach is more conventional. As you said, Robin, Melford's approach seems designed solely to one-up Browning and Freund, but Melford cannot even come close to Browning and Freund's sense of atmosphere. But I think the supporting cast in the Spanish version is far stronger. The Spanish Van Helsing has a more authoritative approach, while Edward Van Sloan doesn't exactly project confidence. And, truthfully, I didn't even remember Harker and Seward were in the American film - they are just that unnecessary. The girls in the American version are mostly forgettable, to the point that I didn't realize for years that Lucy's fate was virtually ignored. Lupita Tovar in the Spanish version is absolutely amazing, though - definitely worthy of Dracula's attention. Helen Chandler ... isn't. If only Tovar had a stronger Dracula figure to play against in the Spanish version -- and Lugosi had a stronger Mina to play against in the American version. I have always said that it's a shame the Spanish version couldn't just use Lugosi. I wonder if he could have learned the Spanish language as he did English - it might have worked. Admittedly, the technology of the time might have made that impossible, but it seems like each version is missing something the other tried to create. In the end, each version has its strengths, and it is difficult to really pick one over the other. If the American Dracula takes the edge, it is purely because of Bela Lugosi and the atmosphere of the early scenes. Spanish Dracula tries to do more with what it has, but doesn't have Lugosi OR the atmosphere. But both fall back on the drawing room setup of the play (even using the same stock footage for Dracula's trip to London), and I think the style simply withers for both. Both versions just suffer from missed opportunities and could have been so much more. Ultimately, it all comes down to these unavoidable facts: the American version has Lugosi -- and the Spanish version doesn't. And the timidity of the times simply couldn't give what each needed to be a true classic.

[@cassyblack3346]

This was so fascinating to see. I've got to see the Spanish version now

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

It's definitely worth watching. They're clearly the same film... and yet they're clearly not. It's fascinating!

[@TerryFedora]

I had such a big smile on my face when I saw that this was one of your newer videos. This is one of the most fair comparisons I have ever seen between the two and I appreciate not dunking on either.

[@starmnsixty1209]

👍

[@RavenHouseMystery]

It's difficult to give a definitive answer as to which version is better, partly because it is the existence of the American Dracula that drives many of the improvements made in the Spanish Dracula. I still give my vote to Tod Browning's Dracula. Not only is it more atmospheric, but we also get three iconic performances of iconic characters with Bela Lugosi (Dracula), Edward Van Sloane (Van Helsing) and Dwight Frye (Renfield).

[@starmnsixty1209]

🧛🧛🧛👍🎃

[@Shockwave-ob2tx]

I like both, differently, and for the reasons you've stated. It would be interesting to see a mash-up of the two films, if only to see if a superior version could be created.

[@mr.e.balsam4107]

Well, I have some good news for you! ifdb.fanedit.org/dracula-restored/

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

@@mr.e.balsam4107 that's cool!

[@Galantski]

Ultimately, for me, the versions stand or fall on the portrayals of the central character. If the casting is off there, it doesn't matter how good the rest of it is. This is the film that made Bela Lugosi's career, and his Dracula would henceforth be the gold standard against which all subsequent performances would be measured. On the other hand, one of the actors obliged to follow Lugosi's lead was Carlos Villarías in the Spanish version, and while he's not horrible, like most who have essayed the role, he isn't worthy to carry Bela's candelabra.

[@premanadi]

I think Villarias is laughable. He makes it seem like a comedy with all that mugging.

[@TheValeyard92]

Looking forward to this one. Why nobody's done a fan edit to get Lugosi into the otherwise superior Spanish version, I don't know.

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

Who are you, with my opinions?! The Spanish-language version also needs the footage from the sea crossing.

[@GrosvnerMcaffrey]

I want dwight frye as Renfield as well

[@TheValeyard92]

@@GrosvnerMcaffrey Oh yeah, absolutely.

[@ringbearer1420]

I just hope somewhere out there is a print of the original Browning cut. I think the lost footage would address many of the so called flaws with the original.

[@Gondarth]

It's a shame because Bela Lugosi spoke very good French, as seen in Murders In The Rue Morgue, so if it was a French version of Dracula, they could've had him... Of course, that would require Universal paying him more than bare minimum.

[@powertripprulz6639]

I love watching any one of your videos about universal or hammer or vintage silent monster movies, watched many of them several times, you do such a professional job with so much great information, cheers

[@DarkCornersReviews]

Glad you like them! They take a bit of time, but all the research we do makes the next video (hopefully) better.

[@raffyyanuario3910]

Spanish Dracula: Hola mi nombre El Dracula British Dracula: Bloody Hell, hold my beer

[@ObiWanBillKenobi]

I am very interested in watching a side-by-side version, where each line or shot is first played in the English version, then paused, and the Spanish version is played, then proceeding to the next shot or dialogue. In this way, the different cuts and different lengths problems would be completely sidestepped, while still showing everything from both versions in comparison to each other.

[@petticoatsfroufrou4644]

I enjoyed this detailed discussion and appreciated the insights that were new to me...but I confess I was hoping to learn that I'm not the only viewer who thinks Carlos Villarias has a strong resemblance to Andy Kaufman and is pretty much impossible to take seriously.

[@ferociousgumby]

I've been hoping for a comparison of these two!

[@brianfuller757]

I waited for this episode and here it was. Your love of cinema lore is inspiring.

[@kimsmeltzer6083]

while there will always be a place in my heart for dear Bela, I am firmly in the Spanish camp. scenes shot at night do have something special about them, and the image of Eva as predator about to bite her beau has always chilled me to the bone. I can never get enough of the leering Conde Dracula, and the lunatic Renfield is imo the best in the business. there is also a prelude on the Spanish DVD in which the actress playing Eva, Lupita Tovar, talks about shooting scenes at night, how she would get there early and it would be deserted and so, so creepy.

[@mauricedavis2160]

Thank you Dark Corners for an excellent episode comparing two versions of film history, but since you asked, if I had to choose a version it would be the Spanish one!!!🙏👌🧛❣️

[@lallancashire2201]

Excellent! Thanks for another great documentary. Agree both versions have their merits so difficult to identify which is superior. The Spanish Dracula remains still too unfamiliar I suspect and is likely therefore to be underrated. This is a valuable and intelligent comparison of these two pioneering horror films, classics both. 👍

[@doczombie]

man this is amazing, i never knew about the maxican version. also i love how the director made it better thanks to his rage

[@matriaxpunk]

It's not mexican, it's spanish xd

[@blackenedwritings]

I first heard of the spanish version in James Rolfe's Monster Madness. This is a great topic for your channel. Yet another reason why I look forward to every upload of yours.

[@beanbaka]

Love the little tributes to the icons of horror does Mr Carradine deserve one for his many roles

[@DarkCornersReviews]

I'm sure we will get to him at some point.

[@calumsanderson6741]

"Illogical, but effective" Being a movie fan and seeing this apply to a lot of current, famous directors, I say it's sound advice for a career in film!

[@drummerwarrior1]

A superb documentary of two of my favourite films.

[@gregorygourley6426]

I've always liked both versions , each for different reasons. In the U.S. version Dwight Frye, and Bela Lugosi are the best reasons to make this film awesome, and I love all of Tod Browning's work on all of his other films, but, I think he missed quite a few opportunities to make a better film, mostly visually. Melford's non-stationary, mobile camera makes the scenes much more exciting, for me, and his interior, and exterior shots of, and in Dracula's castle are superior. The Women in the Spanish version are also much more attractive, with their hair flowing long (instead of tied up tight, & glued down in the U.S. version), and of course more revealing clothing makes them more sexy, & dangerous. I only wish George Melford would have chose a less ridiculous looking Dracula, and Van Helsing, they are almost comical at times. Lupita Tovar is wonderful this version as well as the actor playing Renfield. I would give Melford the edge over Browning on this occasion, but Lugosi Reigns, the champion! Very cool review of these classic gems, my friend. Bob. G

[@liladiskens5346]

Merci pour avoir mis en ligne cette pépite dédiée au chef d'œuvre cinématographique des années révolues. Magnifique et passionnant et divertissant documentaire. 👍💜💚💜

[@crakatoot5480]

I would ❤️ to see a bio film about Tod Browning. To see the making of Dracula and Freaks would be cool

[@robj577]

I wouldn't mind if modern movies did this, that way we can see 2 versions of the same movie... Each portrayed for it audiences cultural preferences and the spirit of competition of both shoots will increase the quality. Also more actors can get a chance to star in a big budget movie since the sets are shared. This is the kind of thing that will never happen again.

[@GyntherMeyer]

Thanks for uploading this comparison video. My hope is that one day we'll see a fan-edit in which Lugosi has been spliced into the Spanish language version! xD xD xD

[@bulloguin]

What about the Mexican Dracula? From the movie El Vampiro with German Robles.

[@brucefritzges8759]

I hope they both have armodillo !!!

[@suedenim]

I'd love to see Dark Corners cover the Robles films as well as the lucha libre films of the 60s and 70s with El Santo, Blue Demon, Mil Mascaras, et al.

[@bulloguin]

@@suedenim all of them amazing films! The Abel Salazar Saga of terror films as well: El Baron del Terror (Brainiac) and La Venganza de La Llorona (The Curse of the Crying Woman).

[@dermotmccaul1833]

Having seen both versions, I have to say that Browning's version remains my favourite, not just for his and Freund's often quite beautiful framing of a scene but also (of course) for Lugosi and the rest of the cast; van Helsing, Renfield and Mina are particularly good, the latter having a quite unearthly/disembodied manner. Some of the film's supposed faults, such as the lack of a score and its tableaux-like scenes, come across now as quite modern, or post-modern if you like, giving it an off-centre and rather timeless quality.

[@adamjohnson8859]

Hi There, Fasntastic analysis of the two versions of the film. Just one thing though...Renfield is Draculas familiar/crazy sidekick...not the gentleman real estate agent sent to visit Dracula regarding the sale of property in England...that person is Jonathan Harker.

[@robinbailes5236]

That's true in the book, they combined the characters for the film.

[@stoneangel7804]

99% of reviews for Dracula '31 say "Alot of people think Spanish Dracula is much better than the Lugosi version" ...aahmm ...okay.. who are these people, i've never heard anyone ever say that

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

Bela Lugosi!! 🦇🦇🦇🦇

[@cherchezlavache5183]

I VASTLY prefer the Browning film. Villar, in the Spanish version, seems actually comical. He attempts to create the Dracula character as he moves along through the story, whereas Lugosi already IS Dracula. He doesn’t have to TRY to create anything. He is already there. The weakest part of the Browning film is the ending, which feels as if someone took scissors, & just clipped the film. I also prefer the Redfield character in the Browning version. In the Spanish film he just screams nonstop with laughter, whereas in the Browning film he does a great job of being flat out insane. I also preferred the Mina character in the Browning film, although the actresses in both films acquitted themselves very well. Both films are good, but in the end Belà Lugosi walks off with the honors. And alive, dead, or undead, he can show up at my place & bite my neck any night! WOW!! WHAT A MAN!👏👏🥂

[@micshork]

Each version has its own strengths and weaknesses. If they were somehow able to merge the best of both films then we'd have an even more Fantastic Film.

[@mitelyod]

Brilliant vid... Great work... Thanks so much

[@mitelyod]

I watch your videos daily... A right tonic from all the awful "news"... Keep up the good work

[@rsacchi100]

This is a great compare and contrast. It got me very interested in the Spanish version.

[@andrewbutterson8367]

Both movies have merits of their own

[@derworfnet]

Having now watched both Versions, nearly back to back (thanks to the Blu-Ray), and although the Spanish take does make makes a strong case for itself, I think I prefer the US-Version. I think mainly because of Lugosi and Van Sloan.

[@robotrix]

What the heck were paper clips like in the 1930' that him cutting himself doesn't seem like he's an idiot.

[@ghostwarrior3878]

At 4:47, the way he looks reminds me of the shadow

[@ciscofas45]

In Spanish the name Dracula has a notal accent above the first letter A. The flame of the candle served as an accent complementing a clever idea. DRÁCULA

[@madahad9]

Both having their weaknesses, namely in the casting of Dracula. I think both actors lack any real menacing presence and oftentimes just stand and glare at the actor opposite them or into the camera. The Spanish actor looks too much like Bud Abbott at times and he is more comical than scary. Lugosi is an actor of such limited range that every utterance feels laboured. Sadly we were robbed of the opportunity to see Lon Chaney as Dracula. I imagine he would have been more faithful to the novel and how Dracula changes over the course of the story. The caped aristocrat is not very imaginative. As much as I like Dwight Frye's performance as Renfield (the only genuinely creepy aspect of the American version), I quite liked the Spanish Renfield, a little over the top at times but effective. I was disappointed by the Spanish Dracula. I had long read that it was an improvement of the American version. It runs about ten or fifteen minutes longer. The story about its making is more interesting than the film itself as the Spanish crew comes after the American crew were finishing and then filming all night long. The director watched rough footage and then developed his own style.

[@alexhollon7526]

I think one thing that I do prefer in the English is, while the camera work is more basic, it helps the slow crawling pace, whereas the Spanish camera work, while more innovative, looks clunky and dated as a consequence. Also, some the added scenes felt uneeded. While the scenes showing the bite marks and Van helsing and Harker freeing Lucy are much appreciated, I honestly didn't like the way they showed Renfield die. In the English version, it's off screen, but it's heavily implied that Dracula choked the life out of him. The Spanish version has him just throw Renfield off the staircase like a ragdoll. I think the Spanish version is better structured and pieced together for sure. But the English version has a more uncanny and haunting vibe. Both are still required watching regardless.

[@marcelorolandi4150]

I certainly would love to see a remake / tribute movie, properly filmed in B & W, and that put together the best bits of both films.

[@ThreadBomb]

Maybe even better, a film about the making of the Spanish version!

[@marcelorolandi4150]

@@ThreadBomb Yeahh! I would love to see that too :)

[@zezesilver]

Hi. I like how you changed the way you present the films. Before you would retell the plot scene by scene which got quite boring after some minutes. Now you retell some key moments from the film and then comment on it. This commentary makes your videos much more enjoyable to me because I get to know the basic plot plus your opinion on the whole film. Resubbed!

[@DarkCornersReviews]

Always great to hear feedback. Hopefully we continue to improve.

[@bethparker1500]

I doubt that I have seen the complete uncut American version, always edited for time between the commercials. I need to see the Spanish version or was it Mexican?

[@AliceBowie]

Interesting. Werner Herzog directed 2 versions of Nosferatu back to back, English and German, I think. Like lots of international films, the cast had different actors speaking their lines in their own languages, end then recorded the sound separately.

[@CoolGobyFish]

wouldn't it be cheaper to just redubb it, instead of filming 2 versions?

[@AliceBowie]

@CoolGobyFish the crazy thing is they overdubbed both of them. They filmed twice, and dubbed it twice. It's just really weird. He probably did it just to screw with Kinski, knowing their relationship.

[@QueenOfTheNorth65]

When Turner Classic Movies showed both of these as a double feature several years ago, people laughed during the Spanish version. I didn’t find anything funny, although I did find the Renfield in Melford’s version to be way, way, over the top. Villarias also does too much mugging. Or perhaps it’s just because I love Lugosi.

[@akaLaBrujaRoja]

How did I miss that?!? TCM is my default channel, I even have it playing on mute when I’m not watching anything else in particular. I hope they do it again soon.

[@Barnabas45]

Spanish Dracula cinematography is superior but the American version cast is way more talented.

[@jasonjuneau3554]

It would be interesting to compare the theatrical and TV versions of David Lynch's Dune.

[@carlosaugustodinizgarcia3526]

Great video. The pacing of the spanish version makes it a better film, but Villarias was a funny looking Dracula .Not iconic as Lugosi,but the scene were he was corned by Van Helsing and smashes the mirror is excellent. The two films in a way complement each other,but both are flawed because tried to be faithfull to the Dracula play (and not to the book). A shame that both versions of The cat creeps (a 1930 remake of The cat and the canary) are lost. I would love to compare the english and spanish version -again with Lupita Tovar. Funny, I was rewatching The Monster squad (1987) today and notice it lots of homenages to the Browning film and to the play. The first scene with Dracula is a recreation (with a twist ) of the opening of the 1931 version ,even the armadillos appeared.

[@ThreadBomb]

The mirror smashing scene is great in theory, but terribly hammy in practice. He even concludes his move with a little pelvic thrust!

[@alexandermclean1761]

It's funny but the quality of the US version may well be an accumulation of its faults. The misty, poetic feel of Carl Dreyer's 'Vampyr' is the result of a director bringing his will to bear on a work. The similarly distant quality of Browning's 'Dracula' may have been partly the result of the director and his cameraman Karl Freund both losing interest in the project. David J Skal's book on the making of the US 'Dracula', 'Hollywood Gothic', goes into detail about Browning's struggles with Universal's front office and the weight on him of Lon Chaney's death (anyone who feels strongly enough about horror films to post on a site like this should read this superb book). My own opinion is that George H Melford's version is 'better' made and more narratively coherent but Carlos Villarias' hammy performance isn't a patch on Lugosi's and familiarity with Browning's movie somehow makes it feel too slick.

[@MoonlightDawnMoolightDawn]

Both are amazing... it's a tie for me.

[@VonWenk]

I prefer Spanish Dracula, mostly for the inter-cutting, and because the American Dracula at times felt very static.

[@joemarty9937]

Another excellent video. I love both films. They are so similar but so different. I can't say that I think one is better than the other. To throw another version into the ring, I feel that the Browning version that had the Phillip Glass music added, is another version in itself. This is the first version I ever saw and is my preferred version of the film (even though I understand that many people dislike the added music). The music changes the pace of the film and makes it feel completely different from the non-music version. I never get tired of these films and love listening to anyone talking about them. On a second note, I just finished reading the Werewolf of Priory Grange. It was excellent! I'll soon be starting the Vengeance of the Invisible Man and looking forward to the Immortal Dracula. I hope you have more stories planned. It would be cool to see your take on a Frankenstein style story.

[@robinbailes5236]

Thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying the books. There will be another one out in October (hopefully), which won't be Frankenstein but I will get there.

[@Enevan1968]

Batman logo... Has there ever been a Batman versus Dracula?

[@karenhummel49]

Bela Lugosi is the most handsome debonair commanding charmingly evil Dracula! His accent and voice was perfect for the role. Not enough close ups of Lugosi and should have been longer. No one wears a Tux like Lugosi!

[@knibscratch]

A well balanced review ... Superb!

[@marthastubbs8321]

Great content

[@38dragoon38]

I bet the Spanish Dracula actually liked garlic!

[@jaygill5582]

Your comment made my night... thanks!

[@deckofcards87]

The Todd Browning movie has generally much nicer cinematography

[@Super_Bros.]

Spanish Dracula has many scenes similar to Nosferatu not just the ship scene; maybe the director was a huge fan?

[@monicariba4309]

Man, I feel bad for Carlos Vilarias, never stood a chance against Lugosi even if he is a great dracula.

[@JBiggsofWSNC]

I wish that Bela Lugosi could have been in the Spanish version.

[@ThaiThom]

No matter how you cut it, you can't replace Bela Lugosi as Dracula.

[@fritzmasten7675]

I went to see the Spanish language version when it was shown at the Metrograph in NYC a couple of years ago. I had heard so much about it over the years. It's quite disappointing and frankly quite dull. I agree, the atmosphere is what carries the Browning version.

[@adampm9998]

I always hear that making another version of a film in a foreign language was a practice for a while, but the only example I know of is Dracula. What other films did they do this with?

[@DarkCornersReviews]

The Cat Creeps is another one by the same director. Both versions of that are lost. Hitchcock directed both English and German versions of Murder (the German version is called Mary)

[@adampm9998]

@@DarkCornersReviews Oh man, I would have liked to see "the cat creeps" just the title tells me I would have liked it. I'll have to check out the Hitchcock one, I'm interested in this kind of comparative study. Thanks for the great video by the way. The spanish Dracula is my favorite vampire movie.

[@jameswoodard4304]

I've never seen the Spanish film, but from all of the points you've shown here, I prefer the English version. (BTW, it's odd that you call them the "Spanish film" (refering to language, not nationality), and the "US film" (refering to nationality, not language). I picked up your point about atmoshphere being far superior in the English scenes even if other aspects may not have been done as well as the Spanish version. In my opinion, the movie is far too much *about* atmosphere for the Spanish version to have that against it and still be called the better version. Yes, "show don't tell," is a generally accurate maxim, but it depends on the context. Limiting Dracula's dialog in order to increase mystery is neither showing nor telling. While the scenes that are merely described in the English version rather than shown as they were in the Spanish version work better in my opinion in the same way that having a monster described after the fact can be so much more effective in a horror movie than just showing the creature attacking someone. Horror is about *feeling* , and the seeing is just the medium for the feeling. I think these choices tend to produce a more affective product. This, plus the more elegant visuals produced by the cinematography of the English version, mean that it looks better *and* feels better to me than the other. As much of it as I have seen, anyway. Also, as an American and a Texan, I have always found the random armadillos in Dracula's castle hilarious. Armadillos are about as far from creepy or scary as it gets to anyone who has ever seen them for more than a minute. If it hadn't fallen over, the opossum would have been much more effective, but still not great. Opossums are more ugly-but-pitiful than say a rat or a snake, either of which would have been better. Both versions of that particular scene are just odd.

[@barrywerdell2614]

I haven't seen the "Spanish Dracula" but I have seen Tod Browning's Dracula with the "Kronos Quartet" soundtrack and I personally think it improves the movie immensely. It doesn't seem as dated as it was with the old soundtrack and of course, the sound recording is crisper and doesn't suffer from the early sound recording technic of recording it on a vinyl record.

[@wilfridwibblesworth2613]

If there ever was a French Dracula he would be immune to garlic & therefore more dangerous.

[@brianwolle2509]

i like any classic horror film.

[@Trev359]

Yes, Browning has Lugosi but that's all he has. The Spanish version is better in every other way and is generally considered to be so.

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

what? no mention of the mysterious object attached to the lamp in the mina bedroom scenes that's missing in the spanish version? it looks much like a light deflector accidently left on set. but its placement is so obvious its hard to believe that the crew and actors didn't notice it. so was it not a deflector and something else? was it there on purpose? if so, what the hell is it and why doesn't it appear in the spanish version? there's also a scene at the castle where a bed is made and is mysteriously turned down without anyone turning it down in the browning version. its lugosi, not browning, who makes the english language film the classic that it is. otherwise, in all other respects, the spanish version is the superior version.

[@sethsassy]

I'm getting a Fred Armisen vibe from Spanish Language Drac.

[@johnryder1713]

There was a very good Dracula Spanish Graphic novel in the 80s

[@SashaV.]

looking at the subtitles that the Spanish version comes with, I am sad to say that they are a bit poorly done.

[@DW-nb2zc]

Let's get this straight right now.The Spanish version was not better than ours. No Bela, no way

[@TomFrichek]

It should be said that Dwight Frye also gave a performance that couldn't be matched. The look of him in the ship's hold is the face of my nightmares.

[@betamaxblocker]

When I taught a film course, one thing I had my students was compare and contrast the scenes in these two films where Renfield arrives at the castle. They really liked this exercise, and it was interesting to see what teenagers identified as the stronger and weaker aspects of each scene.

[@charlescossel7948]

Cool!

[@arrow1414]

To be fair Batman debuted nine years later so Batman uses the Dracula logo!

[@ivans.191]

No, it's taken from the film "The Bat" (1926)

[@GleeChan]

Thumbs up for Eugene Levy!

[@mlongpre100]

a fine canadian

[@margies735]

Eugene was bitten by Dracula and has been acting for so long, appearing unchanged

[@MrEMann-io1ut]

There's one thing, no one seems to have notice. In the U.S. movie, when the wives are backing off camera, one bride steps on another's gown. You can visibly see her struggle to hold her balance.

[@Barnabas45]

Not to mention the cardboard on the bedroom lamps to filter the stage lights!

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

@@Barnabas45 You should watch James Rolfe's video about the cardboard. (Seriously!)

[@Barnabas45]

@@andrewgwilliam4831 If you mean the Cinema massacre guy I already have, It was amusing!

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

@@Barnabas45 That's the one!

[@anthonycrnkovich5241]

The cardboard is there to dim the lamp as she sleeps -- listen to Steve Haberman's commentary. It's not a mistake or oversight as naysayers keep harping. It's even included in production stills, which shows it was intentional "set dressing". Thing is, nobody ever even notices the cardboard until it's pointed out to them - they're too engrossed by Lugosi. I believe people who say they prefer the Spanish version are just letting the initial novelty of an alternate version get the better of them. But that novelty wears off after a few viewings.

[@jackgrattan1447]

The director of photography on SPANISH DRACULA was longtime Universal cameraman George Robinson, who later shot SON OF FRANKENSTEIN and most of the '40s "Monster Rally" movies. He was also DP on the Abbott & Costello TV show.

[@robinbailes5236]

I think I'm right in saying that he shot all of the Dracula sequels for Universal.

[@eargasm1072]

Cool...did not know that. I love the photography from "Son" and the Frankenstein sequels afterwards

[@Gondarth]

That's not bad. You get hired to run the camera for a low budget, initially half-assed alternate language film, it becomes successful, and all of a sudden, you become one of company's main cinematographers.

[@davidleblanc5271]

Lugosi Dracula for this kid his old world accent really drives the point home that this person could be from ages past

[@qweebag2488]

Facts

[@sagev.5818]

I completely agree!

[@walkure48]

Lupita Tovar is far better and far more vibrant than the stiff Helen Chandler, and that's a huge deciding factor for me. Of course, Lugosi is irreplaceable.

[@ThreadBomb]

She is far less wooden - but not exactly convincing as an upper-class English girl, which is supposed to be her character. And then there is the black negligee which this supposedly virginal girl wears to bed...

[@paulbrown6464]

Love Lupita Tovar, frequently call my female game characters Lupita

[@premanadi]

Carlos Villarias almost turns it into comedy with his ridiculous mugging.

[@DistractedGlobeGuy]

​@@premanadi he would have made a good Renfield though.

[@premanadi]

@@DistractedGlobeGuy In a comedy version...

[@danddoty3981]

You guys should do a special on Vincent Price.

[@gregghill2059]

YES!

[@gdmcbride14]

An amazing documentary. Very well done. I love Spanish Dracula and have for some years since I saw it when I got my Legacy boxset. But Bela baby. This is Bela in his prime, Bela at the height of his career. Bela Lugosi has so much charisma, so much power in his wicked stare ... it's got to be the American version. But you know what ... screw that. My movie collection is big enough for both, and you are right. The fact that they both exist only gives depth to the experience of watching Dracula. Anyway, keep up the good work. Damn, I need to watch Spanish Dracula again...

[@DarkCornersReviews]

Catch up with our Bela Lugosi documentary. Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGGXg2OwmrmfaZI and Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZnQe6dugJ6IsKM

[@NinjaNezumi]

I love this review!

[@devenhologram]

This was done again with "Exorcist The Beginning" and "Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist"

[@charliesintergalactictoybo2282]

Hello magnificent explanation of both films, but all the actors in the Spanish Dracula are actually from Spain they are all speaking in Castilian.

[@davidbanan.]

Theres proof that the american. Film was edited wrong

[@LaDracul]

This makes me sad a movie Richard "Cheech" Marin wanted to make about David Manners falling in love with the actress playing Mina in the Spanish language version was NEVER made.

[@MicahMicahel]

it still can be made... just not by Cheech and Chong, which might be a good thing.

[@LaDracul]

@@MicahMicahel I don't think he was intending it as a comedy.

[@felixvenus666]

Pretty much always wanted Spanish Dracula but with Lugosi and Fry.

[@originaluddite]

I wonder if some fan is working on an ultimate edit drawing on both.

[@Gondarth]

@@originaluddite Would that even be possible, considering how different each performance is for both characters. I'm no filmmaker, but it may be a tad tricky to pull it off...

[@originaluddite]

Yeah, I guess it would jar, with actors shifting faces, and other issues besides.

[@creategreatness8823]

I think editing down Spanish Dracula to match the edit/structure of American Dracula would be fairly easy. In theory you could Dub the Spanish film in a way that mimics the American one...perhaps there would be an opportunity to use the original American lines as the dubbed in material? It might be possible. But the amount of material(wide shots, scenery shots, etc) available in Spanish Dracula that could be effectively transposed into American Dracula would be quite minimal. You'd be able to fill out American Dracula ever so slightly but not in a substantial way.

[@Occult_Detective]

Great vid! I do disagree. The shot of Dracula rising up out of the hold of the ship in the Spanish version. I feel the Browning shot, is more Dracula’s style. Regal, taken stance, posturing. He is above creeping around, like a lowly scavenger hiding in the darkness. Which is the feeling nosferatu and the Spanish version put out there.

[@ThreadBomb]

I agree. That shot in the Spanish version makes him look animalistic, which is a valid approach but contradicts his portrayal in the rest of the film.

[@alexandersmith7061]

While the Spanish version is more accurate and has more content, I think the American version was better. Less is more.

[@Trev359]

IMO the direction was better in the Spanish version and key scenes are much more suspenseful as a result. I like the American version but IMO the Spanish version is far superior and much more enjoyable.

[@jesusramirezromo2037]

Probabbly cause of Luggosy, who is the perfect dracula The direction on the spanish is superior