The epic horror romance of Bram Stoker’s Dracula is known in the annals of horror movie history for many things: It’s a grandiose, over the top love story from the early 90’s, it has admittedly weak accent work from Keanu Reeves trying to shed his Cali surfer tone, and it’s often left out of conversation among director Francis Ford Coppola’s more widely recognized and lauded works from the 70’s like The Godfather, its follow up The Godfather Part II, and Apocalypse Now.
But more than three decades later, the gothic vampire tale has kept a place in the hearts and veins of horror fans and cinephiles alike. Gary Oldman’s performance as the titular Count is without a doubt a standout in his tenured filmography, the makeup effects are astounding and still look better than some modern horror work today, and the music compliments and elevates everything on screen to truly epic levels. And if the massive success of Ryan Coogler’s new period horror Sinners is any indication, the demand for vampires shows no signs of being put to rest in a coffin anytime soon.
Though the recent death of makeup artist Greg Cannom is sad news throughout the industry, the work he achieved alongside Michèle Burke and Matthew W. Mungle for the film will continue to be remembered. What better way than to have your very own mask modeled from the many looks of Dracula?
Take a look at some of these remarkable vampire masks, and how they played a part in the story for the film, made from ultra resistant latex and painted by hand for a one-of-a-kind, monstrous look.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Dracula Deluxe Latex Mask
This first mask is of Dracula’s old, decrepit look in the beginning of the film, when Dr. Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves) travels to Transylvania to see the Count in his gothic castle for the signing of real estate property he has acquired in London. There, the Count keeps Harker captive, slowly feeding on him, along with his three brides. Spotting a picture of Harker’s fiancé Mina (Winona Ryder), Dracula believes her to be his long lost wife Elisabeta reincarnated. He takes this as a sign that destiny has brought her to him, and so begins the doomed romance of the classic Gothic tale.
There’s never been a look so drastically different from the Bela Lugosi days that still felt so perfect for the film and character, and this mask is just one of many we have to show you.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Dracula Wolf Latex Mask
As Harker remains a prisoner in the Count’s castle, Dracula conjures himself in London to seduce Mina’s friend Lucy (Sadie Frost) as a wolf, to which she begins to succumb to his deadly bite. Upon finding them in the garden one night, Dracula stops, almost ashamed of himself, commanding her not to see him as this, before disappearing in the London fog. This encounter would only further Dracula’s hunger for reuniting with the love he’s “crossed oceans of time” to see again.
A brief scene it may be in the film, but the look is unforgettable, making it an essential mask for any Dracula fan looking to add an iconic look to their collection.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Dracula Bat Latex Mask
Things have gone from bad to worse. Dracula has now arrived in London, and his pull over Mina continues to strengthen with each encounter they have. Meanwhile, Harker has escaped Dracula’s castle with his life, now back in London and having tied the knot with Mina, to Dracula’s heartbroken disappointment. In a rage, he kills Harker’s colleague turned asylum inmate Renfield (Tom Waits) for warning Mina about him, and turns the already sickly Lucy into a vampire. But, her fiancé, along with a ragtag team of former suitors, have enlisted the help of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins), who swiftly dispatch the now undead Lucy with a stake to the heart.
As Dracula seeks Mina out once more, confessing to his responsibility for Lucy’s death and Harker’s imprisonment, Mina’s fury is ultimately subsided by her feelings for him, and wishes to join him in death as a vampire. Before he can finish, Van Helsing and crew seize upon them.
Enter: the absolute scariest f***ing looking Dracula to ever appear on screen. Dracula conjures a look of a large bat, standing head and shoulders above them all, and speaking in a snarling growl as he taunts Van Helsing and his “idols”, making a crucifix burst into flames and claiming Mina as his bride, before escaping as a swarm of rats (equally gross).
An iconic reveal in the film, this mask is a representation of the demonic monster he truly is.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Dracula Dead Deluxe Latex Mask
We’re racing to the end here, figuratively and literally. The gang learns that Dracula intends to make Mina his vampire wife, and is traveling back to Transylvania with his last box of soil he sailed with on the ill-fated Demeter. The hunters split, trying to cut off Dracula’s trek before he can arrive home and at full strength. Arriving at the castle, fending off Romani guards, Dracula bursts from his carriage as the sun finally sets, but is caught off guard as Harker slits his throat and another of the hunters stabs him in the heart. Despite his injuries, Mina comes to defend him, and enters the castle with him.
Inside the very room where he first renounced God for taking his wife from him, Dracula is comforted by Mina with a kiss, as the once bleeding cross is repaired, candles become lit, and Dracula reverts to his younger self as Vlad the Impaler. Finally, he asks Mina to give him peace. She thrusts the knife through him as he dies, and decapitates him. Now free from the vampire curse, she looks up to a painting on the ceiling of Vlad and Elisabeta in heaven. Roll credits. Cue the Annie Lennox song.
The film’s ending is a slight departure from Bram Stoker’s original novel, as are other elements and relationships, in order to make way for a more romantic take of the Count. This mask of Dracula’s final fate shows the end result of this gothic tale, of a love that could never be, between beauty and beast.
The Vampire Masks Don’t Stop There
Kurten Vampire Of Dusseldorf Mask
We’ve covered all the masks from the film, but we have TONS of other latex vampire masks, with more varieties of fangs, bloodies mouths, and monstrous looks than you can shake a stake at. Which one suits you best? Whether you’re more for the classic Gothic fare like Interview with the Vampire, or enjoy the modern takes like in the Blade film trilogy or 30 Days of Night, we have the masks to make it a night to die for.
Starving Vampire w/ Giant Mouth Latex Mask
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