As a long-time aficionado of the dark and enchanting world of vampires, I must say that the contrast between Count Dracula and Count Orlok is as captivating as it is chilling. Having immersed myself in Bram Stoker’s classic novel “Dracula” and F.W. Murnau’s iconic silent film “Nosferatu,” I can confidently attest that these two bloodthirsty beings could not be more different, despite their supernatural origins.
This year, one of the most eagerly awaited movies, arguably the most, is Robert Eggers’ reinterpretation of the 1922 German silent film titled “Nosferatu.” Set to debut on Christmas Day, Eggers’ version of “Nosferatu” has been a hot topic among cinephiles and horror enthusiasts alike in 2022. Preliminary responses from early screenings suggest that this movie is not to be missed on the big screen as soon as possible. As per Letterboxd, it’s the most eagerly awaited film of the year among users. The buzz surrounding this movie is palpable.
Despite popular belief, many people don’t know where the character of Nosferatu originated. In fact, the 1922 silent film was inspired by Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, “Dracula.” Consequently, it can be inferred that Nosferatu (also known as Count Orlok) and Count Dracula are essentially the same characters. However, due to legal complications during its production, director F.W. Murnau had to modify certain aspects of the character to distribute the film. These alterations eventually led to a different interpretation of Dracula, now known as Nosferatu.
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In 1922, the movie wasn’t officially approved by Bram Stoker’s family, and F.W. Murnau didn’t acquire the rights to the book. As Stoker had passed away, his wife Florence sought compensation for her husband’s creative work. She initiated a lawsuit which eventually drove Nosferatu’s production company into bankruptcy. Not only did this bankruptcy occur, but the court ordered that all existing copies of the film be destroyed. Some scholars argue that there is scant evidence suggesting Florence Stoker ever watched Murnau’s film due to numerous alterations in the Dracula character. Furthermore, the ending of the Orlok character in the movie deviated significantly from Stoker’s novel.
It’s fortunate that none of the Nosferatu films could be destroyed. Later, Universal Studios acquired the rights to the novel, resulting in the 1931 Dracula film with Bela Lugosi as the star. Although it was contentious initially, Nosferatu significantly influenced the horror genre and its impact on horror movie-making is still noticeable a century later. Essentially, it set the foundation for much of the vampire lore we see in books, films, and TV today, defining characteristics like appearances and sun sensitivity that are common in vampire media. Nowadays, since the rights to the Dracula novel are in the public domain, anyone can adapt the gothic tale, leading to numerous interpretations over time.
So, what are the biggest differences between Count Orlok and Count Dracula?
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Their Names
In his movie, Murnau had to alter a key character’s name – originally Count Dracula, he was renamed Count Orlok, eventually known as Nosferatu. The name ‘Nosferatu’ originates from an old Romanian term, “nesuferitu,” which means ‘the insufferable one’ or ‘the offensive one’. Historically, this term has been used interchangeably with the word ‘vampire’.
Over time, Nesuferitu evolved into the character known as Nosferatu in a famous German silent film. Nowadays, Nosferatu is widely recognized in various vampire narratives and popular culture. Despite being officially named Count Orlok in the 1922 movie, the name ‘Nosferatu’ can be used interchangeably to refer to him as an undead creature or a secondary label. However, it’s important to note that Nosferatu is not typically associated with Dracula.
The title “Dracula” originates from an ancient Romanian word, specifically “Drăculea,” which is a possessive form of “Dracul.” In Romanian, “Dracul” means ‘dragon.’ Consequently, “Drăculea” translates to ‘son of the dragon.’ This name was bestowed upon Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler. Interestingly, his father, Vlad II Dracula, belonged to the Christian knightly organization called the Order of the Dragon.
It’s believed that Bram Stoker discovered the name of his character during a library visit on one of his trips. Given that Stoker drew ideas for his novel from Transylvanian legends, there’s a chance he named his main character after Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, although Stoker never explicitly acknowledged this as an inspiration.
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Their Appearances
Over the past 127 years, various interpretations and transformations of Bram Stoker’s Dracula have emerged. The Count, in most portrayals, appears human yet possesses an alluring sophistication that captivates his victims. His charisma, character, and good looks make him a deceptive monster; despite his monstrous nature, he is often depicted as an attractive man. Even when his vampire identity is unveiled, he continues to maintain his appealing exterior.
Count Orlok, contrary to many, does not share the charisma of blending in among humans. Instead, he bears an eerily rodent-like visage and a ghostly pale skin tone. His fingernails resemble claws, his nose is pinched, and his ears are oversized and pointed. Unlike Dracula who can deceive with his human-like appearance, Orlok embodies the very terror of a dreadful nightmare. Even though both share fangs, Orlok’s teeth appear more grotesque compared to those of Dracula.
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The Effects of Their Bite
Among the notable traits of a vampire is its sinister bite, capable of causing both death and transformation in certain instances. In various tales, the severity of the effect depends on the amount of blood consumed. Contrary to popular belief, Dracula’s bite does not result in immediate death; instead, it transforms the victim into a vampire. This is precisely what he intends. In the novel, Dracula makes Mina Murray drink his blood thrice, compelling her to reciprocate during their final confrontation. This act ensures that she will become a vampire upon death, unless Dracula himself is destroyed first.
Instead of reviving victims as other vampires might do, Orlok’s bite proves lethal. Once his sharp fangs puncture a person’s neck, their fate is sealed. Orlok’s disregard for transforming others into vampires actually benefits him in this case, as he has no qualms about ending lives. The mere sight of blood triggers an irresistible urge within him to bite his victim. His thirst for blood overshadows all else, and he shows no mercy towards those he kills.
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The Harsh Effects of the Sun
Another infamous trait of vampires is that the sun is extremely harmful to them. In some movies or shows, a vampire will burst into flames once the sunlight touches them, such as in the HBO show True Blood. For Dracula, the sun greatly weakens him. It won’t necessarily kill him, however. The guaranteed way to kill Dracula is to stab him through the heart and decapitate him, which is what Jonathan Harker does at the end of the novel. The sun would certainly slow him down, though.
In the movie, Orlok perishes when sunlight touches him, not through stabbing or beheading like in Stoker’s book. Instead, his fate in the film is to disintegrate into dust. This change stems from the fact that his insatiable thirst for blood leads him into the sun’s path, even as dawn approaches and he attempts to feed on a woman.
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Dracula Is a Romantic, Orlok Is Looking to Feed
Although Count Dracula is known for his vampiric nature and thirst for blood, he exhibits a more traditional, romantic side in his interactions with women. He skillfully woos them and develops an affinity for them, rather than treating them as mere sources of sustenance to be discarded afterward. In the case of Mina Murray, Dracula is drawn not only by her life force but also by a genuine desire for her affection.
Count Orlok isn’t romantic at all; instead, his sole focus is on satisfying his hunger. Whenever he targets a human for consumption, it’s purely for feeding purposes and he doesn’t care about the consequences that follow. In fact, his bloodthirst overpowers any other considerations. This vampire sets sail from Transylvania to the fictional German town of Wisborg solely with the intention of feasting on Thomas Hutter’s wife. Upon seeing a miniature portrait of her, he notes that she has an “attractive neck.” However, this comment wasn’t made out of admiration for her beauty, but rather because her neck is perfectly suitable for biting. Despite their shared intensity when it comes to pursuing victims, the motivations behind Count Orlok and Dracula’s actions differ significantly.
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Differences in Powers and Objectives
It’s clear that Dracula and Orlok are distinct characters, not just in their personalities but also in their abilities and objectives. While Dracula transforms a person into a vampire with his bite, Orlok’s bite results in death. This difference in powers serves both characters well, as it aligns with their ultimate goals. For instance, Dracula aims to create more vampires, and he has more control over his biting ability compared to Orlok. Additionally, Dracula can move in the sunlight to a certain extent, something that Orlok lacks. To make matters worse for his victims, Dracula is skilled at manipulation and charm, which helps him easily draw them into his domain.
On the contrary, Orlok’s powers are less manageable and are primarily fueled by his insatiable thirst for blood. This craving completely dominates his mind, which is why his end comes in such a gruesome manner – death under the harsh sunlight. When he detects or senses blood, Orlok loses all self-control and acts impulsively. Unlike Dracula, who can temporarily suppress his bloodlust to accomplish his objectives, Orlok doesn’t aim to create more vampires. Instead, he spreads a sickness similar to a plague via his bites, transforming victims into frenzied creatures. Moreover, his infected teeth and rats serve as vehicles for this contagious disease.
Another significant distinction between the two characters is their extraordinary talents. Unlike Dracula, who possesses the ability to transform completely into different forms, Orlok only exhibits powers of telekinesis. Although his telekinetic abilities are limited, they allow him to open doors and gates without physically touching them. Additionally, he can levitate his body and seems to have a strong psychic connection, as demonstrated by his ability to sense when his servant dies. In the case of Dracula, he is capable of shapeshifting, most notably transforming into a bat.
Nosferatu is in theaters Christmas Day.
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2024-12-16 04:32