Topic: Dracula films & Creature Features and their relation to/influence on Castlevania

[Ratty]

While Bloodlines made an attempt to tie the original 1897 Bram Stoker novel* to the game series, it's no secret even to non-fans that Castlevania has always been influenced more by the film appearances of Dracula and his cohorts. Dracula's many first-form appearances show obvious inspiration from the iconic portrayals of Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee for Universal Pictures and Hammer Films respectively. While Frankenstein's Monster has usually resembled the equally iconic Universal portrayal originated by Boris Karloff, to give just a few examples.
The obvious enthusiasm for and even devotion to the classic horror films by Castlevania's creators runs way back. As most of us know the credits to the original NES game included such obscure references as crediting the fish man to "Green Stranger", a play on Glenn Strange, the fourth actor to play Frankenstein's Monster for Universal.

But the influences are of course not merely cosmetic, IGA clearly had Franics Ford Coppola's 1992 Dracula film in mind when making Dracula's origin in LoI. And Count Orlok (Orlox outside Japan iirc) made an appearance as a boss in SOTN, originating in the first adaptation of the Dracula novel to film titled "Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror"** where Dracula's name was changed to Orlok in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid litigation.

So my question to you all is, what are your favorite references to and/or influences from film that have made their way into the Castlevania series?



*I also think Dracula's appearance in SOTN is largely influenced by his description in the original novel. And one could no doubt find lots of other little ties in other games. Particularly post-Bloodlines.

**For those who may not have seen it it is in the public domain and viewable on Archive.org or youtube.

PS- sorry if this topic already exists, I looked back to Feb and used the search function but did not see it, though I may have missed.

[Abnormal Freak]

The reference most prominent in my mind is Count Orlok frozen in the ice caverns of the X68000 game.

By the way, if you've not seen "Nosferatu the Vampyre" (or its German language counterpart, "Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht"), it's a must-see. Really great remake of the silent film that actually uses character names from the book.

[Chernabogue]

I think Lugosi/Lee movies were great inspiration for the early CV games. Other movies, like Frankenstein (starring B. Karloff), were also great sources of material.

And when CV got more scenario (for instance, since SotN), Coppola's movie and more recent vampire movies (Van Helsing comes in mind) were also sources of material for the CV games.

[Ratty]

The reference most prominent in my mind is Count Orlok frozen in the ice caverns of the X68000 game.

By the way, if you've not seen "Nosferatu the Vampyre" (or its German language counterpart, "Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht"), it's a must-see. Really great remake of the silent film that actually uses character names from the book.

Ahh yes, and the funny thing is that that does not only recall Orlok, but also Universal's "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" and "House of Frankenstein" where both the Wolf Man and Monster are frozen in and/or awakened from ice. As well as a few other Universal movies where both Frankenstein's Monster and the Mummy were preserved in mud (of all things) until their next respective appearances.

I've been meaning to see Nosferatu the Vampyre for quite a while but have never come across it in a video store, guess I'll have to ebay it at some point. Thanks for the recommendation though!

I think Lugosi/Lee movies were great inspiration for the early CV games. Other movies, like Frankenstein (starring B. Karloff), were also great sources of material.

And when CV got more scenario (for instance, since SotN), Coppola's movie and more recent vampire movies (Van Helsing comes in mind) were also sources of material for the CV games.

I don't know that the Van Helsing movie had so much an influence on Castlevania as the other way around lol. But I have heard that the video game adaptation for the PS2/Xbox has a hidden reference to the Belmonts. I actually hated the movie when I saw it but looking back I might have just been in a really bad mood, and what I've played of the video game is a surprisingly good budget DMC style affair.

[Munchy]

One of the things I love about Chronicles' Wicked Child rendition is the little lick from Phantom of the Opera in the beginning few seconds.

The NES trilogy and Bloodlines all use those sprocket holes on the borders of the introduction/title screens.

Also love the appearance of that creepy ass witch from Return to Oz in Aria of Sorrow. (although that movie was mostly terrible and she was a wuss in the game)

These kinds of references are why I get a huge kick out of CV4 as well. The combination of skeletons, the very jittery movement of bosses like the Skeleton Horse and Orphic Vipers, and the boss music TOTALLY give me vibes of old Ray Harryhausen flicks like "Jason and the Argonauts" (lots of claymation creatures). And the first few Castle levels also feel like super old horror flicks with the elaborate music and moving furniture/random ghosts of noblemen.

[Ratty]

These kinds of references are why I get a huge kick out of CV4 as well. The combination of skeletons, the very jittery movement of bosses like the Skeleton Horse and Orphic Vipers, and the boss music TOTALLY give me vibes of old Ray Harryhausen flicks like "Jason and the Argonauts" (lots of claymation creatures). And the first few Castle levels also feel like super old horror flicks with the elaborate music and moving furniture/random ghosts of noblemen.

"Jason and the Argonauts" is easily one of my most fondly remembered childhood movies, and Ray Harryhausen is the man, particularly when it comes to skeletons.
Now that you mention it the skeletons in some Castlevania games, notably the N64 titles, have the characteristic "Harryhausen grimace" of furroughed brows you don't find in actual skeletons but which Sam Raimi specifically requested for the special effects in "Army of Darkness" as well.

Also it's worth noting that the image of Medusa* as snake from the waist down as seen in many Castlevania games originates with Harryhausen and 1981's "Clash of the Titans". As Harryhausen himself has noted classical depictions of Medusa usually just had her as a woman with snakes for hair, he added the snake-bottom to the character to make her more monster-like.

*Though snake-women generally are nothing new.

[Flame]

But I have heard that the video game adaptation for the PS2/Xbox has a hidden reference to the Belmonts.

Also love the appearance of that creepy ass witch from Return to Oz in Aria of Sorrow.

which one is that? I cant recall that enemy.

[beingthehero]

The Headhunter.

[Ratty]

Yep. That would be the one.

[Munchy]

oops wrong thread

[Ratty]

Hm since this is kind of a "what's your favorite" thread maybe it should be moved to Classic Castlevania discussions?

[Lelygax]

Its not that type of thread, atleast what I've understanded is that we share our thoughts about that and talk about it.

The reference most prominent in my mind is Count Orlok frozen in the ice caverns of the X68000 game.

By the way, if you've not seen "Nosferatu the Vampyre" (or its German language counterpart, "Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht"), it's a must-see. Really great remake of the silent film that actually uses character names from the book.

Seriously? I never noticed that! Anyone have a screenshot or can say more or less in what part of this stage I can see that?

Also love the appearance of that creepy ass witch from Return to Oz in Aria of Sorrow. (although that movie was mostly terrible and she was a wuss in the game)

Since I only watched Return to Oz one time, months ago, I didnt even noticed that, but now that you mentioned that I noticed it. They should have added these SOTN monsters from the Inverse Library in that area too.

[Havatchu]

If they were to make a Castlevania movie, all I would ask is that they make it less swashbuckling than Van Helsing, if you know what I mean.

[X]

Seriously? I never noticed that! Anyone have a screenshot or can say more or less in what part of this stage I can see that?

There used to be a miscellaneous section in the CV dungeon (also known as the lovely dumping grounds for stuff that didn't fit into any other category). In that section there was a screen caption of Count Orlok frozen in a chunk of ice. It's a shame it's no-long there or I would've directed you to it 

[Lelygax]

There used to be a miscellaneous section in the CV dungeon (also known as the lovely dumping grounds for stuff that didn't fit into any other category). In that section there was a screen caption of Count Orlok frozen in a chunk of ice. It's a shame it's no-long there or I would've directed you to it 

Thanks anyway man, your good intention is enough.