I've recently decided that I need to brush up on my classic horror. I haven't really watched any of the Universal horror classics since I was a kid, and back then I remembered them being amazingly boring. It appears young me was correct in thinking this, at least in Dracula's case.
While it did have some good parts, most of the movie was about as engrossing as watching dirt. To be fair though, I feel like a lot of that was due to knowing the story so well. In being a classic, it defeats itself by having no surprises. Not to mention its pretty dated, but I think that goes with out saying.
However, the movie definitely has some high points. Bela Lugosi deserves every bit of praise he's ever gotten for this because he makes the movie. I just wish there were more scenes where he did... I don't know, anything! Most of his screen time consisted of him staring, but, considering how much his performance still shined, it says a lot about Lugosi's acting ability!
Dwight Fry as Renfield was also pretty great. I love his rant about the rats! Much like Lugosi, I wish we had more been able to spend more time with his character. His shift from uptight real estate agent to raving madman happens suddenly and it would have been nice to see a transitional scene in between.
Acting aside, the film also had great atmosphere. The locations and backgrounds were the creepiest thing about it.
I've heard there's a Spanish re-edit that's scarier and a little edgier. Maybe ill have to track that down next. I just hope all the Universal horror films aren't this dull.
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