Dracula 1931

Today we watched the original Dracula, I had high hopes for this film as it got such positive reviews, for a 7.7 on IMBD yet such a low budget of  $355,000, the running time for the film was a short 85 minutes, however it suceeded in everything I felt it was supposed to, it was ridden with suspense and horror and for a film made in 1931 I thought it was excellent.
While watching the film I noticed several things, it was very clear that the movie was filmed within the transition of silent movies to sound, as people still used exaggerated gestures, I understand the actors were still only beginning to understand stanislavski's methods, of which they were only learning at this time, you can see this as personal I believe their naturalistic acting was awful.

The portrayal of Dracula was dark and well thought through, Bela Lugosi plays the terrifying Count Dracula in this film and does a good one at that, he shows sexuality and slyness all too well. However, while I've said this will was excellent, I mean this only in 1930's standards, as a girl brought up in the 21st century, I must admit it was very difficult not to laugh at certain points, what with the acting and all, as what to me seemed terrible would otherwise have seemed impeccable in their standards, I understand this seems like such a contradictory statement, seeing how I have just praised the acting beforehand, but I only believe it was excellent acting for their time.

When Dracula is at a train station and attacks an innocent young woman who passes by, you would expect more fear... obviously she used facial expressions well (At this time they were used to exaggerate their facial features for silent pictures) but when it came to using her voice, it was the most laughable acting I have ever seen, she did a quick squeak and then it is assumed she was dead.

Again perhaps this is by being brought up in a different era that I think this, but I thought the ending was absolutely abysmal, Van Helsing impales Dracula and then Harker and then leaves off with Mena, leading to the most unrealistic film ending I have ever seen, which again most of the class I was watching the film with burst into laughter over aswell.

In conclusion I wouldn't say this film was terrible, as I said the acting was excellent for the 1930s especially when they were going through such a transition, however by 21st century standards and in personal opinion I definitely think there could be improvements, which disheartens me to say as this film is such a classic and it pains me to be so negative about it.