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Vampires have not only reached immortality by being cursed, but by our fascination with them, especially on the silver screen.

The vampire, was first seen in Bram Stoker's novel 'Dracula' published in 1897. Set in Europe, the dark epic followed the intrepid Dr. Van Helsing and his associates who hunted the vampire.

Since then, society has become enamoured with the vampire. Despite our extraordinary literature, we are most fascinated by the visuals only cinema can offer. There, we can fully appreciate the erotic and terrifying persona, of the vampire.

The vampires of the silent picture era, were wraiths, reminiscent of the walking dead, given life by a curse.

The first notable films were 'Vampire of the Coast' released in 1909, and 'The Vampire's Trail' of 1910. The success of these films spawned others, the most prominent being 'Nosferatu', starring German actor Max Schreck as Counte Orlock, and directed by F.W. Murnau, released in 1922.

Legend states, that vampires cannot be captured on film or seen in a mirror. It is believed, that vampires lack the one thing, that defines humanity-a soul. The viewer gladly overlooks this detail, suspending reality to experience the cursed existence of the vampire.

In the 1930's Bela Lugosi, was cast as Dracula. Gone forever was the concept of the ugly vampire. The suave, aristocratic vampire quickly took over the genre.

Vampire films, thrived into the 1940's and 50's with the 'Son of Dracula' starring Lon Chaney, and 'The Horror of Dracula', starring Christopher Lee. It was Lee, who added the powerful imagery of fanged teeth to the vampire persona. Lee's portrayal, would become the standard, of what was expected of the cinematic vampire.

In the sixties and seventies, the genre grew, starring distinguished actors of the day, like Peter Cushing,and Jack Palance.

In 1979, Frank Langella starred in 'Dracula', revising the vampire into a romantic tragic figure, that inspired women's lust. Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot', released the same year, served as a contrast, revisiting the horror of 'Nosferatu'.

In the 1980's the emergence of the AIDS virus, threatened our fascination with the vampire. However, the vampire remained popular and unscathed. From the eighties onwards, vampire films flooded the entertainment industry, with titles like 'Interview with the Vampire', 'Blade', and 'Underworld'.

The terror of AIDS, elevated the vampire's status as a preternatural being. Individuals who took up a vampire's lifestyle however, were greatly affected. Unlike their idols, contact with blood, had to be carefully considered, or avoided.

The vampire has achieved in film, what it achieved in legend: Immortality. Enhanced special effects give us spectacular glimpses into vampiric powers. Unlike the silent films of the 1900's, we see vampires fly, morph into other creatures, and escape harrowing situations with ease.

The vampire, a soulless outsider, is humanity's reflection. They are a glimpse into the darkness we harbour inside. There are no super powers, and no eternity, but the capacity for evil, is just as great. Perhaps, this is what terrifies us most-the vampire is after all, a human, that has no soul.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Clark.
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