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MaryAnn Uribe
Dr. Burton
British Literature 2323-043
Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Variations of a Classic Work in Modern Time
What can drive a man to the point of no return? When in his world, all is lost and he
cannot be consoled. Desperation can drive a man to give up all he has ever loved, including his
church. Losing the woman he loves can send a man to the point of no return, such is the case
with Count Dracula. Finally, there is vindication for the knight who gave up life to avenge the
death of his one true love. Director, Francis Ford Coppola, in his work, “Bram Stoker’s
Dracula”, reaches beyond the words of the original book to prove Dracula was much more than
a monster in creating the movie. Coppola focuses on the historical Dracula as a man and a
knight. A man who is both, deeply in love with the church and his bride. The historical elements
in the writings of Bram Stoker come to life more so in Coppola’s work in the movie, than in the
original work by Bram Stoker. What a difference love can make. The variations within these two
great works merge to provide one a better perspective. An understanding of the historical
relevance within the Dracula myth reveals the Count as a lover, a man, and explains why he
chose to become immortal. To both artists’ credit, the differences between the book and the
movie are predominantly in the beginning and the end of the film. The movie depicts the Count
as the man he was in history before he became a monster. The book Dracula, focuses on the
monster and his treacheries as an immortal.
Historical Background
The literary and cinematic versions of Dracula evolved over time, both borrowing from
history, but Bram Stoker’s novel omitted certain plot elements which humanize the antagonist.
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With time, a story changes each time it is told. Some things are left out, while others are
personified in ways the original author never intended them to be. Bram Stoker in his work
Dracula, leaves much to the imagination of the reader. There lacks the epiphany of why the
Count is a monster. Whether it is by choice or not, the root of the work remains the same. This is
the case with Coppola’s work “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”. In the details of the history of Vlad III
Dracula, is where we see the significant changes between the two works. In regards to the novel,
the audience is left with no explanation as to why he is, the way he is. It is not until one watches
the movie that they discover he is broken hearted and very angry that things become clearer.
Historically speaking, Count Dracula is also known as Vlad III, Vlad Tepes; Tepes meaning
“Impaler”. Vlad III was given his the name by his reputation, by in which, the manner in which
he tortured and executed his victims by impalement. Coppola focuses on the year 1420, the Holy
