# Dracula

> 1931 film directed by Tod Browning

**Wikidata**: [Q279378](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q279378)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(1931_English-language_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dracula-q279378

## Summary
Dracula is a 1931 horror film directed by Tod Browning, widely recognized as a foundational vampire film in cinema history. Produced by Universal Pictures in the United States, it holds a significant place in cultural preservation as a selection for the National Film Registry. This English-language production established the visual and narrative template for the vampire genre, preceding later entries such as *Dracula's Daughter*.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: The film was released on February 12, 1931; February 14, 1931; March 6, 1931; and November 13, 1931.
- **Director**: Tod Browning.
- **Production Company**: Universal Pictures, an American film and distribution company founded on April 30, 1912.
- **Country of Origin**: United States, a nation primarily located in North America with independence declared on July 4, 1776, and recognized via the Treaty of Paris on May 12, 1784.
- **Genre Classifications**: It is categorized as a horror film, a vampire film, and a drama film.
- **Preservation Status**: Selected for the National Film Registry, a list managed by the United States Library of Congress established in 1988.
- **Sequel Relationship**: It was preceded by the 1936 film *Dracula's Daughter*, directed by Lambert Hillyer.
- **Digital Presence**: The entity has a Wikipedia title of "Dracula (1931 English-language film)" and a total sitelink count of 47.
- **Genre Metrics**: The horror film genre contains 79 sitelinks, while the specific vampire film genre contains 10 sitelinks.

## FAQs
**What is the historical context of the film's production?**
The movie was produced by Universal Pictures, a company that originated in the United States in 1912. It was released during a period when the United States had already established its independence through the 1776 Declaration and the 1783 Treaty of Paris.

**How is the film classified within cinema genres?**
Dracula is simultaneously classified as a horror film, a drama film, and a vampire film. These classifications reflect its narrative tone, its specific focus on the undead, and its broader dramatic structure.

**What is the film's legacy regarding preservation?**
The film was selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry, a program initiated in 1988 to preserve culturally significant works. This selection ensures its protection within the United States Library of Congress.

**What films followed this production?**
The narrative lineage continued with *Dracula's Daughter*, a 1936 film directed by Lambert Hillyer. This sequel serves as the direct successor in the franchise timeline.

## Why It Matters
Dracula matters because it codified the visual language and narrative tropes of the vampire genre, influencing decades of subsequent horror cinema. As a Universal Pictures production, it demonstrated the commercial viability of supernatural horror, helping to establish the studio as a powerhouse in the genre. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry underscores its enduring cultural value, marking it as a work essential to the history of American film preservation. Furthermore, by bridging the gap between drama and horror, it expanded the emotional range of the vampire archetype, moving beyond simple monster stories to explore complex character dynamics.

## Notable For
- Being the definitive 1931 English-language adaptation directed by Tod Browning.
- Serving as the primary progenitor for the vampire film sub-genre, which currently holds 10 distinct sitelinks in knowledge databases.
- Achieving recognition as a preserved work in the National Film Registry, a list created in 1988.
- Establishing the franchise timeline that led directly to *Dracula's Daughter* in 1936.
- Representing a key intersection of the horror and drama film genres within the Universal Pictures catalog.

## Body

### Production and Release History
Dracula was released in 1931 under the direction of Tod Browning. The film saw multiple release dates throughout the year, including February 12, February 14, March 6, and November 13. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, an American film company that was founded on April 30, 1912. The production originated in the United States, a country whose independence was declared on July 4, 1776, and formally recognized by the Treaty of Paris on May 12, 1784. The film is specifically identified in digital archives as "Dracula (1931 English-language film)."

### Genre Classification and Metrics
The entity is categorized across three distinct film genres: horror, vampire, and drama. In the context of knowledge graph metrics, the broader horror film category contains 79 sitelinks, while the more specific vampire film genre contains 10 sitelinks. The drama film genre is also associated with the work, containing 63 sitelinks. The film itself holds a total sitelink count of 47, indicating its significant presence across various language editions and related topics.

### Preservation and Cultural Status
A major milestone for the film is its selection for the National Film Registry. This registry is a selection of films designated for preservation by the United States Library of Congress. The National Film Registry program itself began in 1988 and is a United States-based initiative. This status confirms the film's historical importance and ensures its longevity for future generations.

### Franchise Lineage and Sequels
The film occupies a specific position in the chronological history of the Dracula franchise. It was followed by *Dracula's Daughter*, a 1936 film directed by Lambert Hillyer. This sequel relationship is a key structural element of the entity's data profile, linking the 1931 original to subsequent cinematic interpretations. The 1936 film has its own distinct sitelink count of 29, reflecting its own historical footprint.

### Corporate and Geographic Context
The production was a product of the American film industry, specifically tied to Universal Pictures. The company's headquarters are located in the United States, a nation with a complex history of independence dating back to the late 18th century. The film's existence is inextricably linked to the industrial capabilities of Universal Pictures and the cultural environment of the United States during the early 1930s.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.cineol.net/pelicula/6393_Dracula-(1931/I))
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/dracula-1931-1)
3. [Source](http://www.cinematografo.it/cinedatabase/film/dracula/33574/)
4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021814/)
5. [Source](http://www.ofdb.de/film/1622,Dracula)
6. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021814/fullcredits)
8. The Movie Database
9. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
10. Dracula. Rotten Tomatoes
11. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021814/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_ov_inf)
12. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=20142&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
13. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021814/releaseinfo)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. Kinopoisk
16. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/dracula-1931/)
17. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
18. SoundtrackCollector
19. Bechdel Test Movie List
20. mymovies.it
21. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/90993)
22. Trakt.tv
23. FilmVandaag.nl