Vamps on Film: Coppola’s Dracula meets Murnau’s Nosferatu in ghoulish programme

Description

F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu (1922) is regarded as a landmark silent film and masterpiece of German cinema. Haunting and spine-tingling to this day, the film drew initial inspiration from Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, but subtly changed Stoker’s work in an unsuccessful bid to circumvent early-twentieth century copyright laws. Despite its legal troubles, the film left an indelible mark on cinema history as an exemplar of German Expressionism and an early cult film.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992, dir. Francis Ford Coppola) is a stylish and lurid film boasting an all-star cast (Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins and Keanu Reeves), lavish costumes, and a a wide array of special effects. It is undoubtedly the most sensual retelling of the Dracula legend to date. Exploring the erotic subtext of Stoker’s original novel, the film focuses on the tragic origin of Dracula, who journeys to London in search of Mina Harker, who resembles his departed love Elisabeta.

The screenings of ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula on 21 April and ‘Nosferatu’ on 28 April will be followed by a post-screening seminar.