The VampireFrom Black and White to Shades of Humanity

Nosferatu (1922)Earliest adaptation of Bram Stokers Dracula.Derived from Slavic nosufur-atu, or plague-carrier.Resembles more creature than human.

Dracula (1931)More human in appearanceDark, cobwebbed castleAwkward in speech and actionKills entire crew of ship in hungerTries to steal Mina

Hammer Films (50s & 60s)Rich color of blood made deaths of victims less clean and clinicalMore comparable to life appearance than previousBattle between Good and evil less black and white (distinct)

Although there are some basic changes, the depiction of Dracula is still very similar at this point.Dracula to Hammer:

The Lost BoysTeen vampires appear to be human until a voluntary change occurs

Although they appear human in many cases, the monster still lies below the surface.

The Lost BoysThe protagonist begins his transformation - sympathyThe group has a family structureHalf-vampires exhibit qualities that the later vampires will: human with a curse.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)Vampires take a step back only creatures to be slayed

Protagonists immediately become antagonists when victimized

Buffy: the Television AdaptationBlurred line between Good and Evil with invention of AngelVampires became very human protagonists (Angel) and likeable antagonists (Spike)Romances between humans/vampires

Vampire character is still visible as a sign of anger, fear, or evil

The beast is inside, often benign, unlike Dracula

Interview with the VampireVampires do evil deeds by choiceMain characters struggle against desires and needsHuman qualities of isolation, loneliness

Queen of the DamnedVampire protagonistsSacrifice of self for humansLoneliness and isolationLove for human innocence/life

UnderworldVampires are a familyDo not drink blood from humans manufacturedProtagonist vampire breaks her own bonds to help a humanHuman/vampire romanceVery Human in appearance

Full CircleFrom the vampires sacrifice of the human for personal gain to the vampires sacrifice of self for human gain

Vampires may not yet be our friends

But they are no longer the monsters they once were.