Dracula

Bela Lugosi’s definitive portrayal of the vampire Count Dracula lives on forever as one of cinema’s most enduring characters. Inspired by Murnau’s gloomy Gothic visuals and the tradition of German Expressionism, Tod Browning’s monster masterpiece, the first talking picture based on Bram Stoker’s novel, lit up the myth with an effective creepy atmosphere and a diabolical grace that has become a protocol for the thriller genre. Enhancing the horror by chiaroscuro lighting and eerie sound effects, anchored by Karl Freund’s gruesome camerawork and Lugosi’s stylised performance, this 1931 vampire classic earns the reputation of the ‘most chilling, genuinely frightening film ever made’.

18/10 (Sat): Film talk with Lau Yam