A Comparison of Two Extracts from Films Portraying Vampires

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A Comparison of Two Extracts from Films Portraying Vampires In this essay I will compare two extracts from films portraying vampires. These extracts were taken from 'Nosferatu' a film made in the 1920's and 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' a film produced in the early 1990's. I will describe how the films are similar and are different in the media language used, the representations of the vampire and the woman and the narrative resolution. Firstly, I will compare the media language used in both films. Non diegetic sound is sound that is not in the film but added at the editing stage. In 'Bram Stoker's Dracula', non-diegetic sound is dramatic. The music becomes higher and higher pitched, this is to create the suspense and tension. I think suspense and tension needed to be created because it made the film better to watch. 'Nosferatu' also uses non-diegetic sound but it was added at a later date because the technology wasn't advanced enough at the time of making. I think both films achieve the effect of suspense and tension through the use of that type of sound. This links to my second point, Nosferatu is told much like a book, as it uses old-style fonts when there is a description of what is happening or what the characters are saying. The film tells you what is happening in this way because, again the technology was not advanced enough to include sound. 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' uses quick cuts and close-ups during the fight scene, this is to suggest action and fast pace. The film uses these type of shots because it is fun to watch. The film also uses high angled shots, the best example of this is when the woman and vampire are on the floor of ... ... middle of paper ... ...so the woman does this. The ending of 'Nosferatu' is similar in a way because the vampire also dies. The woman however is seen as weaker therefore she dies as well. Knock who helped the vampire and was thought to have been the vampire by the towns people, is sent to prison. Both have good endings as you feel that both stories have come to an end and not just ended abruptly. Overall, both films have many similarities as well as differences. I think the main reason why the films differ is because of the times they were made. 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' had many technological advantages available therefore, the makers could emphasise sadness, action, power and weakness better than 'Nosferatu'. I think 'Nosferatu' though, does use dramatic effects like non-diegetic sound and chiaroscuro to build and add suspense and tension.

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