Count Dracula Goes to the Movies: Stoker's Novel Adapte

Christopher Lee

Winona Ryder

Otto Kruger

Dracula remains perhaps the most famous and influential horror character ever devised, and DRACULA - THE TRUE STORY comprehensively examines the question of where author Bram Stoker got his inspiration for such an extraordinary creation. The answer lies in Transylvania (also the birthplace of Bela Lugosi, who portrayed Dracula in the signature 1931 movie version). Vlad Tepes, a 15th century Transylvanian prince, became widely known as "Vlad the Impaler" for his grisly policy of impaling victims, sometimes by the thousands. The film also probes the relatively recent phenomenon of vampire-related tourism and the various medical theories relating to the ancient superstitions, including the genetic disease of prophyria. Interviews include a fascinating conversation with Princess Brianna Caradja, one of Vlad's descendants, and footage features Vlad's castle and locales cited in Stoker's novel as well as clips from the amazing NOSFERATU and other movies based upon the novel.

Dwight Frye

This 1970s version of Bram Stoker's horror masterpiece originally aired as a three-part series on the BBC and is a classic adaptation of a story that captures the imagination of every generation. French character actor Louis Jordon stars as the charming bloodsucking count in this interpretation that thrilled British fans when it originally aired on Halloween night. It's a perfect addition to the body of work that captures Stoker's original vision of a lonely count living high up in his castle with a taste for blood.

Aidan Quinn

DRACULA: Gary Oldman and Winnona Ryder star in the tortured tale of a charismatic vampire, based on he tale of The Prince of Darkness. WOLF: A mild-mannered book editor (Jack Nicholson) bitten by a wolf goes for the throat of all who have betrayed him. Michelle co-stars in the sensational drama. INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE: The wicked undead are among us and livelier than ever when Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and a talented group of stars star in this mesmerizing screen adaptation of Anne Rice's best-selling novel. Cruise stylishly portrays the supremely evil and charismatic vampire Lestat. Pitt is Louis, lured by Lestat into the mortality of the damned. Stephen Rea, Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater and Kirsten Dunst are the supporting cast.

Shot in Transylvania, Whitby, London and Dublin, this documentary tells the true story of Bram Stoker and his gothic novel Dracula. The film is produced in association with the Transylvanian Society of Dracula and features interviews with leading international Dracula experts. Over the years there has been much confusion between Vlad Tepes (The Voivode) and Count Dracula (The Vampire). This film separates fact from fiction and looks at both characters in depth. Script consultant Elizabeth Miller describes Vlad's reign of terror and debunks the association between any Dracula and the iconic Castle Bran. Dennis McIntyre (The Bram Stoker Society) takes us to key locations in the author's home town of Dublin and Tina Rath (The Dracula Society, London) visits Stoker's (and Dracula's) haunts in the capital city. In Whitby, Harry Collett gives a vivid account of Dracula's association with the Yorkshire seaside town where the Count arrived in England on a stormy night aboard the Demeter. Romania takes center stage in the film and through the expertise of pioneer Dracula expert Nicolae Paduraru, we follow in both Vlad Tepes and Count Dracula's footsteps and explain why Stoker never left any of his own footprints in Transylvania but instead left an indelible impression of the Romanian region on the Western mind.

This fan favorite three-part series from the BBC is now available on DVD for the first time! Louis Jourdan stars as the deliciously blood-thirsty Count Dracula in this version of Bram Stoker's horror classic. Keeping close to the original novel, the series begins with Jonathan Harker visiting the Count in Transylvania to help him with preparations to move to England. It is in the Count's castle that Jonathan becomes a prisoner, and discovers Dracula's true nature. Many scenes shot on location -- such as the Gothic graveyard of London's Highgate Cemetery -- add extra atmosphere to an already powerful production.