Based in 1885 London, a very determined man called Jonathan Harker visits the isolated, intimidating castle of Dracula. Attempting to murder the gory vampire but fails, Dracula decides to seek revenge on Harkers beloved wife to be. Following the family cycle and biting all the women Dracula is threatened by the friend of Harker Dr. Van Helsing.
Contextualising the film:
As the film is set in the 1885 but was released in 1958, this makes the audience remember the past as women were more inferior against men and never had equal rights. They were the typical stay at home and clean women whilst the men go out to work and earn the money.
Explain how 'The Horror of Dracula' fits into the horror genre (refer to conventions):
- Blood.
- Low key lighting- creating a dark and tense ambiance
- Murder scenes
- Isolated castle
- Murderer and villains (use of stock characters)
- Use of a murder weapon (Garlic, Sharp piece of wood and hammer, Crusafix cross).
Being a early day horror film, The horror of Dracula only include the simple and well recognised conventions. Using blood and darkness creates a form of a tense atmosphere towards the audience therefore making them feel uncomfortable, this works well with them watching the murder scenes as they both combine to create a dramatic effect. Low key lighting is used to create mysteries as the audience can not see what is lurking in the dark shadows.
How was the film received by audiences?
The horror or Dracula was given a rating of 7.5 on the IMDB website, this shows how the film was labelled as a good film but not a great one therefore meaning there could be a more improvement which in my decision would be more semiotics and iconography.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051554/
Key scenes:
What makes the film distinctively British?
The setting and location of the film creates a sense of a British film. Based in a old village town with lamp posts and little pubs this creates a British effect, especially with the big doors in Lucy's bedroom.
How was the film received by audiences?
The horror or Dracula was given a rating of 7.5 on the IMDB website, this shows how the film was labelled as a good film but not a great one therefore meaning there could be a more improvement which in my decision would be more semiotics and iconography.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051554/
Key scenes:
- The welcoming of Jonathan Harker by Dracula as he speaks softly and is polite.
- When Lucy is Bitten
- When the Holmwoods are told what is wrong with Lucy.
- When Mina is Bitten
What makes the film distinctively British?
The setting and location of the film creates a sense of a British film. Based in a old village town with lamp posts and little pubs this creates a British effect, especially with the big doors in Lucy's bedroom.
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