Sexy female vampires were all the rage for a while in the
film world. During the 1970’s there were a lot of movies made in Europe. These
films were sort of like the grindhouse stuff and exploitation cinema that has
become popular in recent years.
Then in the 1980’s you had some movies like The Hunger
(Catherine Deneuve) and Lifeforce (Mathilda May). The Hunger was set in modern
day NYC and Lifeforce was set on a spaceship.
Salma Hayek played a vampire in From Dusk till Dawn. She was
dancing on stage as a stripper with a boa constriction when she morphed into a
vamp.
There were some big films like Underworld staring Kate
Beckinsale. And also HBO came out with True Blood (vamps on that show include
Evan Rachel Wood and the redhead Deborah Ann Woll).
And then you have the second vampire film
from Neil Jordan (after Interview with the Vampire) Byzantium. This one stars Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan
Everyone loves vampire films. Some people love the old classic types, while others prefer the more modern vampire movies. There is a big difference in the whole atmosphere The classic films were based on the old Transylvania style vampires... You had some great ones including Dracula with Bela Lugosi. And
Nosferatu directed by Murnau staring Max Schreck. An interesting trivia note is that they filmed a Spanish language version of Dracula at the same time, using the same costumes and sets, when they filmed the original one with Bela Lugosi.
The Costumes of Classic Vampire Movies
The hallmarks of these were lavish Gothic style costumes. The setting was usually a castle. In these films the outfits were usually long capes. There were the "brides of dracula" but they had a smaller part. Later on women would come to play vampires in movies, starting in the hammer films.
The Costumes of Modern Vampire Films
One of the more interesting things about modern vampire films is that women started to play the vampires. You saw this in Innocent Blood with Anne Parillaud, the french actress from La Femme Nikita. She was naked throughout most of the film, a great departure from the Gothic old style Bela Lugosi.
Then you had Lair of the White Worm. This is a most unusual vampire film. It was also written by Bram, the same guy who wrote the ordinal Dracula.
In Bloodrayne, you had a more Gothic style, with some steampunk elements. Kristanna Loken played a half human half vampire. She wore a more modern outfit then the old cloaks common in the golden age of Hollywood.
In Underworld, Kate Beckinsale, plays a vampire. She is totally decked out in leather or stretch latex style outfits. Totally sleek and updated.
And of course you know have television shows like True Blood and Vampire Diaries.
