Who Played Dracula in the First Color Showing of Dracula?
Christopher Lee played Dracula in the Hammer Horror series of Dracula movies. This first color movie adaptation of Dracula was the 1958’s The Horror of Dracula and it instantly made Christopher Lee a horror movie icon, much like his predecessor Bela Lugosi.
Introduction
In the world of classic horror, Count Dracula is an icon.
Since Bram Stoker’s gothic masterpiece was published in 1898, the character of Count Dracula has been adapted and parodied numerous times.
While Nosferatu (1922) and Dracula (1931) starring Bela Lugosi are two of the most famous black-and-white adaptations, it wasn’t until 1958 that a color adaptation of Dracula was released, starring none other than Christopher Lee in the titular role.
Not only did this movie opt for color cinematography, which allowed for more vivid visuals to bring Stoker’s vision to life onscreen, but it also featured some of Hammer Film Productions’ best special effects and make-up artistry to create an eerie atmosphere throughout the film.
Many regard Lee’s performance as one of his best – he truly brought Count Dracula back to life with his nuanced character depiction.
In addition to being one of Hammer’s most visually stunning films, this adaptation also features Peter Cushing as Dr. Van Helsing.
This movie remains one of his most critically acclaimed performances, cementing him as one of the greatest actors to ever bring a horror character to life onscreen.
When Was the First Color Adaptation of Dracula?
By the 1950s, “Dracula” was already a household name around the world due to the success of Bram Stoker’s original novel, Bela Lugosi’s portrayal of Count Dracula in the film from 1931.
While Bela Lugosi might have been the actor who most famously portrayed Count Dracula, the 1931’s Dracula was a black-and-white film.
There was the silent movie from 1922 “Nosferatu”, as well as countless stage adaptations in between.
This is one of the most famous “Hammer Horror” films ever to come out.
Why is Christopher Lee’s Portrayal of Count Dracula Important?
Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee are the two most famous actors to ever play Count Dracula on screen. Their portrayals of the vampire both significantly contributed to the character’s enduring popularity. Their portrayals are distinctly different, however.
For example, when people think of Bela Lugosi’s version of Count Dracula, they typically remember his thick Hungarian accent (in the novel Count Dracula is not said to have an accent), his hand gestures, and the full evening gown that the character wears.
On the other hand, Christopher Lee was exceptionally tall. He was 6’5” and physically imposing. He also had a more dramatic widow’s peak in his hair, and he wore red contact lenses. Christopher Lee was also the first actor to portray Count Dracula while wearing fangs.
The cliched old-school movie version of Count Dracula is derived equally from Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee’s portrayals. Lugosi gave the character the accent, hand gestures, and evening suit. Lee gave the character a domineering stature, red eyes, brute strength, and sharp fangs.
Legacy of Christopher Lee’s Count Dracula
The Horror of Dracula was the film that turned the classic tale of Bram Stoker’s vampire Count Dracula into a gripping and fear-inducing reality depicted by the brilliant Christopher Lee.
Directed by Terence Fisher and starring Peter Cushing, this 1958 Hammer Film Production left viewers clamoring for more. This spawned a series of follow-up Hammer Films to satisfy the growing public’s thirst for horror.
The sequels presented an interesting spin on the original story, with many being set in contemporary England, and featuring at least one scene of Christopher Lee’s iconic character facing off against his old nemesis Peter Cushing’s Van Helsing.
Each film offered something different from its predecessor, with each film presenting unique storylines and special effects to bring even more terror out of Stoker’s classic creation.
Since then, Count Dracula has become a horror movie icon that continues to terrify new audiences with its eerie atmosphere, suspenseful music, and intense action sequences.
Wrap Up
After all these years, Christopher Lee’s portrayal of Count Dracula still sends chills down our spines.
A horror classic that captures the feeling of the original novel and gives it a colorful spin, Horror of Dracula is a perfect example of how exciting and thrilling Dracula can really be.
From dramatic sets and beautiful costumes to the stellar performances by Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, this adaptation has set numerous standards for supernatural films and will continue to do so for many more years to come. Its status as a cult classic simply cannot be denied.
Who would have thought that from such a small novel could come forth such an iconic character that remains a fan favorite? A European gothic must-see for fans of horror films everywhere!
