Customer Reviews

Dracula (Spanish Language) [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Until the release of the DVD for 1931's Dracula I was not aware of the existence of the Spanish language version, being familiar only with Tod Browning's. From that standpoint alone (novelty) it was worth buying. Upon viewing, and in consideration that I haven't seen the Lugosi version in twenty years, I was not disappointed, albeit for unexpected reasons. The Browning Version with its lack of continuity, ponderous cinematography and disjointed narrative fails to live up to its reputation -by virtue of nostalgia one must assume- as one of the all time greats of horror. Luckily, the Spanish version was artistically independent having a different cast crew and director from the English one. Much of the success of this production must be attributed to Director George Melford who maintains a narrative form which flows more smoothly, free of the abrupt edits that plague his opposite number. The English version at 1hr 15min suffers from being overly edited either at the insistence of the studio or the censors, one can only guess which is held to account. At 1hr 44min the Spanish editor, Arturo Tavares, manages to accomplish smooth cuts and transitions which are visually seamless. Continuity is thus enhanced producing a more even flow of action than Browning's print. Furthermore the cinematography of George Robinson displays a surprisingly greater sophistication than the renowned Karl Freund's English shoot. Much better use of reverse and tracking shots assist in breaking the traditionally static images familiar to the silver screen era. In short, technically, the Spanish version far surpasses its English clone. Melford also had the upperhand in being able to view the dailies of the simultaneous Browning version, see their mistakes and improve on them. Carlos Villar, as Dracula, was the only member of the Spanish cast allowed to view these rushes. It was a colossal error. The problem with Lugosi's performance was his overly theatrical style with its flourishes of posturing and gesticulations. Villar tries too hard to out-Bela Lugosi. Consequently, his take on the Count is eccentric to a ludicrous extent. He is also true to the gaudy thespian craft of silent screen peformance which dictated that an actor must act with his eyes and facial contortions to convey the emotional inflections that are lost in the absence of the aural experience. What results is comic in its execution and whereas Lugosi makes one wince at the amateur theatrics, Villar illicits a mocking laugh, which is not advisable in a horror flick. This is the Spanish version's only major flaw, but it is a fatal one dramatically, because the movie depends upon our belief in the menacing aspect of the lead character. However the negative affect of Villar's hammy performance is offset by the delights of the Latino female leads, notably Lupita Tovar and Carmen Guerrero, who exude a sexuality not latent in their Anglo counterparts, and they are allowed a greater latitude to explore the sensual aspects of the drama. When Juan Harker gazes longingly at his beloved Eva we understand his emotive state because our eyes are transfixed also. The plunging neckline and the barely contained bosom assist quite nicely, thank you. Apparently the censors cared little for protecting the moral standards of their Spanish cousins, thankfully, else these scenes would have ended up on the cutting room floor. But when one says that this version of Dracula is the better of the two, that is no great boast as neither would stand the acid test of a modern audience. As horror it fails miserably but as drama is succeeds enough to give it a marginal recommendation. But its primary benefit is to students of filn for whom it will provide a valuable resource.

The Spanish version of DRACULA received so much publicity (mainly claiming it's superiority to the Tod Browning/Bela Lugosi classic) that I avoided this archival release for years. Well, I'm happy to say that I was mistaken. This marvel is one last classic from Universal's horror heyday. True, the star is no Bela Lugosi--but the Spanish Renfield rivals Dwight Frye without ever imitating him. Best of all, you get a chance to see what Browning's film could have been like without any cuts. It is impossible to downplay the value of this alternate version. A true treasure for film buffs.

This film was done at the same time as the one with Bela Lugosi and by the same company and this film is about 20 minutes longer. It is every bit as good as the Lugosi version as far as the story,sets, etc.., because they used the same sets. The film has a little different feel because of a german director's mark made on this film. The only thing it needs is the charisma that Bela Lugosi has because Carlos Villarias is ok as Dracula but it's just not the same. I highly recommend this film for your collection. I enjoyed the characters better in this version a little more with the exception of Bela lugosi and Dwight Fry. I had never seen this movie until i saw it on AMC's Monsterfest in October of 2000. It's a blast so enjoy!!

I'm probably going to start a riot by saying this, but I almost liked this version of DRACULA better than Lugosi's. Though it was shot on the same sets as that version and virtually every shot is the same as the famed Lugosi movie, there are some vast differences between this Spanish language version of DRACULA and the English language version. For one thing, the women are much more sensual and alluring and it's easy to see why Dracula would be so tempted by them. Also, even though this version recreates virtually every shot of the Lugosi film, the film runs almost 30 minutes longer, featuring prolongued moments of terror and offering up some creepier, more disturbing atmosphere. However, even though Carlos Villarias is effective in the role, he's no match for Lugosi. But then again, who is? Yes, I think Lugosi is still the definitive screen vampire, so naturally I think his DRACULA is the best, but this version isn't far behind.

I enjoyed this movie from begining to end. The cast, costumes, scenery, and directing makes this one of the better Dracula films. There isn't a lot of blood and gore, and the director did a great job of creating an eerie feeling throughout the movie. I felt that Dracula could have played his part more sinisterly in a few scenes, but nevertheless, the movie was great. I'm very glad I bought it.

Dracula 1931

I don't own the video of this movie and I am not Spanish.I am 100% Italian.Anyway,I have the Dracula DVD with Bela Lugosi and it shows the Spanish version with English subtitles.

Filmed simultaneously with the English language version,the Spanish version of DRACULA is a completely different,yet equally ominous vision of the horror classic.Utilizing the same sets and identical script,Carlos Villarais and Lupita Tovar deliver this chilling and evocative tale of horror.

This is a great movie for everyone!
Stars Carlos Villaraias as Dracula and
Lupita Tovar as Eva

Language was no barrier to Hollywood in the silent era: title cards were easily translated from English. When sound began to roar, Hollywood began to fear the loss of its foreign markets--and so, for a brief time, the studios occasionally produced two versions of certain films, one in English and one in another language, most often German or Spanish. Such was the case with the 1931 DRACULA.

According to film historian and author David J. Skal, producer Paul Kohner fell in love with Mexican-born actress Lupita Tovar (they later married), and his romantic interest prompted the suggestion that she star in a Spanish-language version of the film. When the English language cast wrapped for the day, the Spanish language cast arrived and worked through the night using the same sets.

Most of Hollywood's foreign-language duplicates were forgotten as quickly as they were released, but the Spanish DRACULA would be the exception. Todd Browning, who directed the English language film starring Bela Lugosi, was extremely uncomfortable with sound technology. While the first fifteen minutes or so his film are exceptional, the movie thereafter becomes a filmed stage play--and a very choppy and rather unimaginative stage play at that. Instead of simply duplicating Browning's set-ups, producer Kohner and director George Melford set out to best him, and when the Spanish version debuted most viewers declared it greatly superior to the English version.

And in many respects it is. Whereas Browning's version is visually flat and rather slow, the Spanish DRACULA is visually exciting, and although it is considerably longer than the English version the pace never drags. It also has it all over the Browning version in terms of editing, and it has a cohesion the Browning version completely lacks. The supporting cast is also quite fine, with Lupita Tovar a standout, easily besting Helen Chandler's remarkably tiresome performance in the English version.

But the Spanish DRACULA has a problem, and it's a big one: actor Carlos Villarias, billed here as Carlos Villar. Villarias had a respectable film career throughout the 1930s and 1940s, but he met his match in Dracula; where Lugosi intoned, snarled, and endowed the vampire with an elegant evil, Villarias goes through the film with a series of expressions that lead one to believe he has just encountered an overflowing toilet. His flaring nostrils and disgusted glances are so incredibly out of place that they quickly become unintentionally hilarious.

Lugosi's performance, of course, is generally considered the ultimate statement of the role, and with good reason. In a perfect world, we would be able to snatch Villarias out of the Spanish DRACULA and insert Lugosi in his place; the result would be a truly amazing film from start to finish. As it is, however, we are stuck with Villarias, and frankly he bites.

The VHS release of the Spanish DRACULA is out of print, but the film is available on the same disk with the Universal release of the more widely known Todd Browning version. By and large the film quality is remarkably good; it has not, however, received a digital remaster, and at least one of the reels would greatly benefit from it. If you are a fan of 1930s horror, you'll find it more than worth the effort, but I suspect more casual viewers will be reduced to hysterical laughter by the Villarias performance.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

The spelling of the actor's name playing the lead role in this movie has been incorrectly expressed in other reviews. His name was Carlos Villarias and how is it that I know this.....he was my great uncle.... he was not of Mexican origin nor South American...he was of Spaniard descent. Maybe the movie should not be compared to that of Lugosi's version. Would you want to compare apples and oranges? Same type of food, but different type of taste. Same theme, different style. I take great pride in knowing that an ancester of mine was cool enough to earn the role of one of the greatest and charismatic monsters of all time....my props to my bloodline.....

If you are a fan of the Bela Lugosi "Dracula," you owe it to yourself to check out this Spanish version, shot at night by George Melford on the same shots Todd Browning was using during the day. Granted, Lugosi is a better Count than Carlos Villar, but the two things that really sell this alternative version of the tale are the cinematography and production values, decidedly more creative and eerie than the English version, and the wickedly vamp out women, led by Lupitar Tovar. Endure the subtitles and screen these two 1931 "Dracula" movies as a double-feature.

For a Spanish version this is pretty good this Dracula isn't any Bela Lugosi, but plays the part well. As for Pablo ( who plays Reinfield) does a great job not quiet as great as Dwight Frye, who the the second man star of 1931. So overall this is a great film so if I were you I would give it a try.