This series examines the creation and popularity of the classic literary horror novels of the Victorian Era. The genre of the horror story gained immense popularity during the late nineteenth century and has retained its popularity for over a century. The classic gothic horror novels reveal the ambiguities of the Victorian Era, an era that experienced the changes of the Industrial Revolution and social repression at the same time. Nightmare! The Birth of Victorian Horror would be useful for classes on Literature, Western Civilization, Drama, Culture and Psychology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.
Jonathan Harker takes employment with Count Dracula, ostensibly to catalog his vast library. In fact, he is on a mission to kill the Count, a vampire. Before he can do so however, the Count gains the upper hand and Harker soon finds himself as one of the walking dead. Dracula has taken an interest in Harker's fiancée, Lucy Holmwood and it is left to Harker's colleague, Dr. Van Helsing to protect her. He has difficulty convincing Lucy's brother, Arthur Holmwood, of the dangers or even the existence of vampires. Soon, however, Arthur's wife Mina is targeted by Count Dracula and he and Van Helsing race to find his lair before she is lost to them forever.
Looks at the almost hysterical dread of vampires that developed in the middle of the 18th century, when people went to great lengths to ensure that the 'undead' would not return to life. Those suspected of suffering from vampirism were weighted down in their graves with stones. In the town of Cesky Krumlov in Bohemia, archaeologists have found three skeletons that were buried according to vampire rituals. The local castle was occupied around this time by Princess Eleonore Amalie von Schwarzenberg. It is believed that she was the inspiration for Bram Stoker's tale of Count Dracula.
Originally released in 1922 as Nosferatu, Eine Symphonie Des Grauens, director F.W. Murnau's chilling and eerie adaption of Stoker's Dracula is a silent masterpiece of terror which to this day is the most striking and frightening portrayal of the legend.
*Audio file A look at the last great vampire film(which ironically is about the 'making' of the first great vampire film). Mike continues his journey into the films of the undead and finds himself cast in the 'Shadow of the Vampire'
Documentary on the most famous vampire - Count Dracula. In real history - Vlad Tepes AKA Vlad the Impaler.