This is a presentation on the different representations of vampires in different films, over time in films.

1. THE
REPRESENTATION
OF
VAMPIRES

2. Nosferatu was released in 1922 and was a German film, based
around the idea of Dracula. The film was silent, and the use of slow,
tense music builds the character of Count Orlok, as well as the
reactions of the other characters in the scene. This version of a
vampire was presented to be more monstrous, meaning that they
were shown with the strong use of shadows, claw like nails, sharp
teeth and an ‘ugly’ aesthetic. The idea that vampires were ‘foreign’,
was enhanced by the fact that Nosferatu was set in Transylvania,
and the vampire does not look human, as at the time of release,
audiences were more receptive and scared of ‘the unknown’, which
was a typical Gothic motif in horror, at the time. He is also very tall,
and has large eyes, making him more alien to audiences.
Nosferatu (1922)

3. This version of Dracula, was made in 1958 and was directed
by Terence Fisher and starring Christopher Lee. This version of
Dracula appears more human, as he appears more gentlemanly to
audiences due to his charming attitude and the disguise of his
monstrous attributes. He is often shown from a low angle to look
more intimidating, and the director chose to intensify the music as
his actions became more dominant. This version of Dracula is
dressed in black, is strong, charismatic and sexually powerful, and
follows the gothic motifs of sleeping in a coffin, having red, blood
filled eyes and living in an isolated castle.
Dracula (1958)

4. This 1992 version of Dracula, is first shown when he is young,
handsome and strong. This is accompanied by the gothic motifs of
the use of religion, and blood to show his transformation from a
normal human, to one with an affliction. Dracula is also shown
when he is old and wrinkly, yet he is still charming. The older
version of Dracula has long nails, is very emotional, has a need for
redemption and is looking for peace and reconciliation. This
presentation of Dracula develops the character to be more human,
and therefore appeal to audiences and makes them sympathise with
the notion of vampires. The older version of Dracula follows the
conventions of drinking blood, and turning into a bat. He is also
repelled by religion, as in horror religion is also used to represent to
‘fear of the unknown’.
Dracula (1992)

5. Twilight (2008-12)
The Twilight saga films were made between 2008 and 2012, and the
vampires in this are presented as mysterious, brooding and beautiful,
and this was enhanced by the use of alluring music, low angles and
subjective mise-en-scene. They are presented as emotionally human,
and physically superhuman, making this representation of vampires the
first to show them as perfect and desirable. In the films, they subvert
typical vampire conventions as some characters refrain from drinking
human blood, and opting for animal blood, they sparkle in the sunlight
instead of being burned, and religious items have no adverse affect on
them. They often have ‘superpowers’, and are ‘transformed’ by venom,
and not necessarily by just a bite. They are however pale, white and
cold, making it clear to audiences what type of ‘monster’ they are, yet
the attributes that make the vampires in twilight make people want to be
friends with them. Twilight also shows female vampires in an equal
light to the male characters, which highlight the main differences
between them and humans.

6. Let The Right One In was released in 2008, and is based around a
child, female vampire. The use of blood and gore portrays her as a
blood-drinking vampire, and she is presented to be heroic, as she
kills the bullies of her friend Oskar. Contrary to conventional
representations of vampires, she lives on a council estate, making
her seem more like a normal child, and less like the typical isolated
villain. She drinks blood to survive, is immune to the cold and
cannot go in the sun, which relates this representation to typical
ideas regarding vampires.
Let The Right One In (2008)